More Michigan

Here are a few more pictures I took during my driving tour of Michigan. My original plan was to visit a couple of lighthouses on the mainland, but the plan changed drastically after researching the state. We ended up driving all the way to the top and visiting an island... so much for the mainland!

Of course, to get to the Upper Peninsula, we had to drive over the Mackinac Bridge. According to their website, the "Big Mac" is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere and the fifth longest in the world. However, if you trust Wikipedia, it is the 16th longest. Whatever the ranking, it is an enormous bridge, very tall and very narrow. I was not at all happy to go over it! Thank goodness my daughter drove and she did an outstanding job of keeping us steady. Check out that sky, not only was the bridge big, but the weather was windy!

Mackinac Bridge

Once we were safely on the other side, our drive to the Pictured Rocks National Seashore was uneventful. It was a long drive on a very isolated road. Occasionally we saw a snowmobile crossing sign, but not much else up there. The park was definitely worth the drive. All the campsites were occupied so we settled for a hotel in the town of Munising. The following morning we did some hiking, walked along the shore of Lake Superior, and found the Au Sable Lighthouse. The weather cleared up and we had beautiful blue skies for the day, but it was still cold and windy... maybe a normal weather pattern for this area of the state, the local didn't seem phased by it. Personally, I was happy to have the warm hotel and hot shower to return to in the evening.

Au Sable Light Station, Pictured Rocks National Seashore

Shoreline on Lake Superior in the Pictured Rocks park. We found this spot on our hike to the lighthouse. We were able to climb down to the water and sit for a while. Very relaxing! The sound of the waves reminded me of the ocean, but the water was so different (we saw a sign in a restaurant that read "Great Lakes... unsalted and shark free". 

On our drive back to the mainland, we stopped at the Seney Wildlife Preserve and did a quick walk around the wetland. This was mosquito heaven, I don't recommend the walk unless you cover yourself with repellent and don't mind swatting at the pests as you cruise through the park.

We went to Mackinac Island on the last day of our trip. This island is only accessible by ferry and there are no cars allowed. We took the 8 am ferry and had the place practically to ourselves until around 10 when hundreds, maybe thousands, of tourist descended in. We rented bicycles and rode the eight mile perimeter, did a little sightseeing, had a lovely lunch overlooking the marina, then rode the ferry back by noon. The island was beautiful, but crazy-crowded by the time we left. I don't know how people can stand to be around so many other people. This may confirm that I am just not a people-person. I can't stand crowds!

There really were no cars! This was the scene when we first arrived. The streets were jam packed with people when we left. 

Mackinac Island Arch

More stormy skies, strong winds, and cold air! Michigan residents are not fair-weather folks! This was the lighthouse at the entrance to the Mackinac Island Marina.

Our trip around Michigan was awesome! Not someplace I would want to live, but an awesome vacation destination. My favorite Great Lake... Lake Superior, hands down :)