Upper Peninsula of Michigan / Indian Lake State Park

We left Mackinaw City a day earlier than planned. It was beautiful and we loved Mackinac Island but it was wet and cold and we got tired of the midges swarming around us everywhere we went. So off we went to the "UP" on our way to Sheboygan Wisconsin to see Steve, Jenny, and the boys.
We didn't have a detailed plan other than to drive a few hours and stop at a state park. Wow, did we ever luck out. Indian lake State Park is just outside of Manistique Michigan. Ministique is on Lake Superior. Indian Lake is about 5 miles inland from Lake Superior. The campground had dozens of available sites so we picked one right on the lake. We did a 3-4 mile hike along the lake and the surrounding forest.

Diva looks out on Indian Lake

Our view 

Debbie and Rosie enjoying the peaceful scene.

One of the few state park campgrounds I've seen with specifically designated handicap campsites.

Disappointed! A few minutes before this shot it looked like we would have a glorious sunset.
There was no wind and the lake was like glass. The sun was in clear view.
Then as it got further down  on the horizon several clouds formed that blocked any further view of the sunset.
To make matters worse several motor boats came racing back to the marina, trying to avoid darkness, and the wakes of these boats ruined the perfect glass surface. Oh, well, sigh, it was still great being here.

Sault Ste Marie

Sault Ste Marie (said, Sue Saint Marie) is a city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It sits at a strategic position where Lake Superior and Lake Huron meet, almost. There are rapids there but in the mid 1800's a lock was built to connect the two lakes. There are now 3 locks here with a 4th under construction. 10,000 ships a year come through these locks.

One surprise was that it was 15 degrees warmer in Sault Ste Marie than in Mackinaw City even though it is 55 miles further north. It was very pleasant there.

At the visitors center is this relief display of the Great Lakes

This ship has just come into the lock from Lake Huron.
The doors of the lock are partially closed.

The doors are now closed

The ship is still at the level of Lake Huron, 40 feet lower than Lake Superior

The ship has now been raised to Lake Superior's level

The ship is now moving to Lake Superior

This is an aerial photo of the locks at the visitors center.

This ship is coming from Lake Superior and has just entered the lock

The workers on the ship have tied a line to the cable and tossed the line to the dock workers

The dock worker now has the cable and will attach it to a mooring to secure the ship.
Four cables were used for this ship

This freighter has huge storage bins. The white contraption nearest to us is used to lift the lids off of the bins.
The conveyer belt is on the white structure on the ship further back. This ship is able to unload its' cargo by itself.

Is it Mackinaw or Mackinac?

Okay, let's start with a spelling lesson.
    There is MackiNAW City and everything in the city or relating to the city is Mackinaw. So we are in the Mackinaw Mill CreekCamping & Lakefront Cabins campground.
     Then there is Mackinac Island that everyone comes to see. You have to get on the Mackinac Island Ferry and cross the Mackinac Strait to get there.
The pronunciation is the same. Mack-e-naugh, rhymes with awe.

This is our lakefront camping spot.

Mackinaw Mill Creek Camp, spot #178

Debbie, Rosie, Frank

All those Canadians!

Debbie and Rosie contemplate the meaning of life

The view from our campsite of the Mackinac Bridge at sunset

Mackinaw City is a gateway to Mackinac Island. It is on the very tip of the lower peninsula of Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge connects the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula, the "UP". Macinac Island sits in Lake Huron between the Lower and Upper Peninsulas.

This is one of at least 3 ferry companies

Rosie loved this aquarium in a downtown store

There are dozens of fudge factories in Mackinaw City (and on Mackinac Island)

Another view of the bridge

Star Line Ferry

Not my photo. From Flickr, with Creative Commons license

The next sever shots of the Mackinac Bridge are for the engineers out there.
It looks so flimsy but has stood for almost 60 years.

Mackinac Island is THE destination in this area. It was settled in the 17th century by Europeans. Native Americans had lived here for many years. Fort Macinac was built during the American Revolution and was taken over by the British in the War of 1812. It became a resort destination in the late 1800's.

The Grand Hotel featured in Somewhere in Time

On Mackinac Island thee are 3 modes of transportation: foot, bike, horse.
Horse pull working carriages and trucks.

This is how goods are transported from the port to the businesses.

Bikes parked all over the place. 

I suppose Bike Parking meters will be next

We took a 2 hour carriage ride around the island

Fort Mackinac

No "Two Car Garage" here

The Grand Hotel

Another Weather Stone
See my post from St. Michael's Maryland to see another
http://streamingtogether.blogspot.com/2013/04/eastern-shore-st-michaels.html

Arch Rock on the eastern side of the island

Fort Mackinac

Fort Mackinac

Part of the carriage ride was on a 3-horse carriage which took us through Mackinac Island State Park.
The park was at one time the second Nationa Park, after Yellowstone, before it was truned over to Michigan.

The Govenor's mansion

Does this mirror make me look fat?

A view from Fort Mackinac

There is a year round population of about 500 on the island but I counted 5 churches.

The worst part of the visit was all the midges. They look like mosquitoes but do not bite.
They were so thick that it was difficult to go for a walk.

There is a reason that Mackinac Island is a top vacation destination. It is lovely, well preserved, and a step back in time. There are no motorized vehicles (but watch out for those bikes!)

Ciao, Frank