She twisted my arm :'( bat_smailey so this year we have to take a small vacation somewhere. We were both thinking Mackinac island. Plan is to leave on Wed. evening prior to Labor day Mon., drive as far as we can and get up there some time early Thurs. and leave early Labor Day morning. According to Mapquest it is about a (gulp) nine hour dirve. I also get to kill 2 birds with one stone, being that Labor day is Lor's birthday ;). I looked on line at different hotels but would like to know if any of you Michigan folks could recommend things to do there or places to stay. I guess I waited a little too long, gettin' reservations made-gettin' crunch time ya know.
Thanks for the help
Good luck, Flip, in getting a place to stay. That entire area is a roar over Labor Day weekend, as the "Walk the Bridge" celebration on Labor Day brings in hundreds of thousands of folks. If you don't have a reservation, you probably won't find a place to stay within many miles. Here's wishing you luck if you decide to try it anyway. In fact you'd likely have a problem there on any summer day without a reservation.
If you can work it out, you'll enjoy it.
Norm
The places that do have rooms must be really proud of 'em. If I figure aug. 28-31 for lodging at one of the mid priced places I'll have a $900+ stay. A couple of the ritzier places want $1200 + :o. This is somewhat depressing since I have my time scheduled off and all. Not really wanting to drop $3000 or more in less than 5 days :-\
Any other ideas? Find a hotel on shore and take the ferry for a few days??? Different vacatin location?
Flip, just east of Mackinac city a couple miles is old mill creek sawmill, its a water powered sawmill that cut most of the wood for the fort on the island and in macinac city, they give demonstrations on the hour I believe and have a very nice visitors center.there is also the fort in mackinac city, that has lots of history, definatly worth the time for me. I'm sure there is a package deal that saves money by buying a combination ticket to all three sites at one time. look at the map and find accomidations east or west of mackinac city. the drive is beautiful either way back into town :)
Cheboygan isn't that far down 23 from Mackinaw and would be worth checking out for lodging :)
That is a tough place to be on Labor Day weekend. We avoid travel through the straights area at all costs on Labor Day weekend.
Flip, we are two hours from the bridge and Mackinaw Island. If you wanted to stay in the little guest house here you could do that for free, and make the Island a day trip.
Thanks for the offer. We have a "meeting" tonight to figure out if we nix the weekend at Mackinac island if there are other things we could occupy ourselves with in Mich. for a few days. May just do a day at the island and jump around to some other tourist traps for a few days. Still in the we are going but don't know where phase. :) I am figuring out the internet search is no help when looking for places to visit.
Ok, I'm thuroughly confused (not being from Michigan and all). Lori was talking to some people at her work yesterday that told her Mackinac Island is really Mackinaw Island. I understand there can be some pronunciacion differences in different areas but why if it is supposed to be pronounced Mack-a-naw do different web sites for the island call it Mack-a-nack Island, and spell it Mackinac. I am very confused ??? I know my grandmother pronounces Louisville, Loo-ville. I pronounce it Looey-ville and I have heard it Louis-ville. Can any of yous guys shed some light on this for me?
We found a place 8) Market Street Inn. Any suggestions of ferrys to and fro the island?
The French Pronounced it "aw" but spelled it "ac". The British heard it pronounced "aw" so they spelled it that way. Whichever way it is spelled, it is always pronounced "aw"
I prefer the Arnold Line ferry out of St. Ignace on the north side of the bridge.
Any way that you get there, I think you will have a great time. The island is cool, and I did not realize until we went over there that the fort on that island is where the first shot of the war of 1812 was fired! I was at one of their historical re-enactments when the re-enactor asked if anyone wanted to help fire the cannon. I knocked over 3 kids, 2 old ladies and a priest to get to the front of the line. :D Well, maybe not quite that bad, I suppose that fellow could have just had his collar on backward ::) HAHAHAHA They have some wonderful history stuff, and some great food. In mackinaw city, two of our favorites are mama mias pizza and nonna lisas pizza. Marshalls fudge is also a giant hit. You can watch them make it in front of your eyes. Tastes so good that if you combed a little dab into your hair, your tongue would beat your brains out trying to get to it. The earlier post about the sawmill is right on the money also. uses a very unusual water wheel configuration that developes ( if memory serves ) about 80 horsepower. Don't know if it is your thing, but there is a casino about 5 minutes north of the bridge. Its also relaxing just to sit along the park bench and watch the big lake boats go by. Any way ya slice it, I think you will enjoy. Have fun, and be safe, lots of deer on the roads up there at dawn and dusk. Steve
Cannon? Did you say cannon?? :D :D This is the first vacation we've taken for, well, since we started dating a few years ago so it will be good no matter what (even if we have to stay in the inn all day :-X)
If you have time, you should visit here. Its just minutes from the Bridge.
http://www.mackinacparks.com/parks/historic-mill-creek-discovery-park_10/
Hey there, been a while since I been on, but yes, I did say cannon. From memory, this fort was strategically located to guard the straits of Mackinaw. Apparently it was an important shipping route then, as well as now.
Now all I need is a little black powder, a couple of 8lb balls and a couple feet of cannon fuse and we will be in bidness ;D ...or jail :(
I've been watching the fore cast, you guys in MI got it made. 24 hours and we outta here!
Have a good trip, flip. Hope that Michigan treats you well. Heat up the plastic a little. We want to know that you've been here. ;D
Norm
She advised me to bring along extra plastic, me thinks she has big plans :o
Dang! Didn't read this before you left. Was going to tell you about JAYS SPORTING GOODS at ( I think ) Gaylord?? Lots of cool stuff there. Firearms, ammunition, fishing gear, woodsy stuff to decorate your office, cabin, or home. Also a favorite stop for us. Steve
Flip,
How was da island, mon? Hope you had a really good time with da family. Youngest son and brother are headed that direction this weekend. A little canoing and bicycleing are on the agenda with some fishing thrown in for good measure. Anybody have some favorite spots over Escanaba way? Devan
It was great. Best part was the weather. 4 days was probably a little too much but we did pretty much all we could on the island. I'll try to get some pics on in a couple of days. Got some good sunsets, boats, fort, houses. Would like to get back up there some day.
Since this is a forestry forum, here is a pic of a cotton wood that was on the island. I wish I could have put someone in there for scale but best I can figure is 7-8'.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12489/Imported_Photos_00049.JPG)
We took a ton of pics. but here are a few more.
View from the fort looking down on the town and church. Our B&B is the small brown hose behind the tree.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12489/Imported_Photos_00026.JPG)
Looking up at the fort and across the large park.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12489/Imported_Photos_00048.JPG)
Couple of pics. from evening on the board walk.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12489/Imported_Photos_00086.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12489/Imported_Photos_00137.JPG)
Someone mentioned cannon :)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12489/cannon.jpg)