It has been an amazing couple of days. We left Sunday September 2, 2007 at 8:00 am for Mackinac City. We arrived in Mackinac City around noon. Seeing all the people that were already there we decided to do our shopping then, so we starting looking for our bridge walk tee shirts. We went to most of the stores in the city, and ended up finding the cutest tee shirts at “Tee Shirt Brothers” they were also the cheapest. After that we went to subway and had lunch. Then off to the light house, to get pictures of the Bridge. It was an amazing clear day, at the same time it was amazingly windy. They were requiring most vehicles to cross with escorts. It was fun trying to take pictures of the Bridge while the wind is almost knocking me over. After that we went to the “Scary Bear Store” or as the name on the building calls it “The Bear Company”. It was pretty much just like ever other store up there, only real difference was it was bigger. By then it as 3:00 so we went and checked in at the Best Western, While checking in we found out that The Mackinaw Coast Guard Ship (the old one) is now a museum and was open for tours.
The Mackinaw tour was really cool, the tour includes a walk through of the building and some video clips of the Ships past. The tour takes you through many different sections of the ship. Some that really stick in my mind were the galley. It almost looks like a restaurant. The engine room that we got to see was really cool; the engines names were Jake and Elwood, after the Blues Bothers. The tour ends with a guest book and the gift shop. Then you are able to go out on the stern desk. That wasted about an hour, so we went back to the hotel.
Later we walked down to Wawatam Park, were we sat and enjoyed the view of the island and the bridge. Watched a storm roll in. Then we headed back to the hotel for a good nights rest before we had to get up at 5:00 am.
Up at 5:00 out the door at 5:30, got to the busses and there were a lot of people there. We were able to right up to the ticket booth and got our tickets. We had to wait about 15 minutes and were on a bus heading to St.Ignace. We arrived in St.Ignace around 6:00. While waiting for the walk to start, we got to see the Anniversary cake that was in St.Ignace. The longest hour of the whole trip was waiting for 7:00 am and the walk to actually start. I have to say this was the most amazing walk I have ever done. We were packed in just waiting for it to start, people as far as the eye could see in all directions. When 7:00 am finally came we were all herded out on to the Bridge. Normally when walking the bridge you can get a good stride and pace going. Not this year, there were so many people, we were walking practically touching each other the whole time. The walk took up 2 hours this year. Once we had our certificates we went and got them canceled, and our names written on them. We purchased two commemorative posters. Then decided to walk to the light house area and look at all the people walking the bridge.
On our way to the light house Julie stopped and bought us hot dogs from a local group that was selling them. I have to say best hot dog ever! Not sure if it was because I hadn’t eaten any thing yet that morning, or if it was just a really good hot dog ;). We stopped at the Colonial Michilimackinac parking lot and took pictures of all the people, there were still a ton crossing the bridge. We walked toward the light house and stopped to get shots of the swimmers coming out of the water. Oh yeah forgot to mention that, there were 50 swimmers swimming the straights as we walked. I have to say my hat is off to them there is no way I could swim in that cold and current. Rumor has it Kim the scout coordinator swam. Any way back on topic. It was really cute they would run the finish line down the shore so the swimmers didn’t have so far to go. After getting lots of pictures of the Bridge, the walkers, and the swimmers we headed down the historic pathway which takes you along the shore in the city. As we rounded around to Shepler's, we saw this line; it went long the road, around a couple of blocks and past Shepler's entrance, then down the main street to the bus stop. The line was of people who still wanted to walk, who were done walking and wanted to go back to St.Ignace. So after fighting our way back to the hotel, which required us walking in the street, not to much to worry about though, the cars were at a dead stop also. We sat in the hotel for about half hour, then went back to see that no one was moving yet. So after a little convincing, I talked Julie into going to the island. So we fought our way down to Arnold’s, made it in time for the 11:00 boat.
Once on the island we went to Seabiscuite for lunch. I have had a craving for Sabisuite for some time now. Great lunch, bummed that Kevin wasn’t working, but didn’t really think he would be. After lunch we hit all the great shops. Peace Frogs, Caddywampus, Great Turtle Toys, The Big Store, and the Trading Post. I had to get a picture of the rocking chair outside of Caddywampus and Main Street Inn and Suites for mom. Alison wanted some fudge so we went to Ryba’s, and got fudge, chocolate covers strawberries. So once we got our to do list done we went and sat in Marquette Park for a while. We also saw Herman the street cleaner that was on Dirty Jobs. After we sat in the Park for a while we then walked down Market and up Cadotte, not really with any destination in mind just out for a walk. We then went into the other Great Turtle Toys and down Mahoney to the Grand Hotel Outlet. Great Store, not really sure how I would get most of the stuff home from there. We then just finished down Mahoney and walked down the board walk, where we ended up just sitting and enjoying the view for a while. It was really great weather and a wonderful day. We started getting hot and thirsty so we walked down to Doud’s got a couple of bottles of water, then we were off to the dock to head back to the mainland.
Even though we were only there from 11:30 to 2:30 it was so refreshing; my chi is now inline. Well it was. We got back checked out and were on the road by 3:30. The drive home was decent for the most part. Lots of traffic, so going at times. We made it home by 8:00.
Over all a great weekend, I can’t wait to get back up there.
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