Mackinaw City, Michigan KOA 08/18 - 8/22/2021 Travel Tour

                                                    From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com                                                                                                                Tim and Linda Bunyan

We stopped at Royal Farms and Winery in Atwood on US 31 in upper Michigan along the way.  It is a boutique-like Farm Market and Winery offering seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables off the farm and homemade baked goods and lunch from their on-site bakery.  It is family-owned owned and they make sensational hard cider!    Seeing
the farm and this beautiful market with wine tasting on the garden patio is a delight.

We arrive at Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island KOA ($53.00/night-full hookup) for a fun-filled week of bike rides, boat rides, and walks about this waterfront city.   We are eager to get to our island adventure.  We park for free at Mackinaw City Dock to ride the passenger vessel, owned and operated by the Shepler family since 1945.   It started as a family-operated parking lot and hot dog stand offering the fastest, friendliest ferry service to Mackinac Island. Sheplers Ferry for the 1/2 ride through the straits of Mackinac Island.   

The Perimeter Tour bike ride is the only highway in America where no cars are allowed.  

BRIDGE; Opened to traffic in 1957.  One of the greatest construction and engineering marvels the world has ever seen.  "Mighty Mac" was designated by the American Society of Engineers as fitting to the hard work and dedication of many people.  

Five-mile-long suspension bridge linking Michigan's two Peninsulas between Lakes Michigan and Huron at the Straits of Mackinac.

We plan to ride all around the waterfront on the island so we rent our bikes on the island rather than take our own and have our bikes all day.  Lots of places to pull over and take a closer look at the natural beauty. Arch Rock, Point Aux Pins, Lover's Leap.  leisurely pace of about 2 hours and 3 miles time for photos and restroom break.

Waterfront Hotel on Main Street.  Once completed the bicycle loop we rode back to the bike shop and continued to explore the island and historic downtown area.

The World's Largest Summer HotelSince 1887 America's Summer Place takes us to a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm.  Sit in a rocking chair on the world's longest porch and enjoy fresh lake breezes and views overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Family-owned for three generations, this National Historic Landmark is one of a kind.

History and hospitality meet with nature. relaxing journey back in time.  Esther Williams Swimming Pool stunning beautiful and interesting place to visit.  Victorian beachfront community where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the preferred modes of transportation.

Afternoon Tea and croquet on an endless lawn.  Golf on The Jewel.  The Jockey Club at The Grandstand overlooking The Jewel golf course, enjoy lunch and cocktails with indoor and outdoor options. 

Luncheon at The Jockey Club at the Grand Stand.

Pool Grill and ice cream at Sadie's Ice Cream Parlor and Mackinac Island State Park has miles of trails.  MUSIC in Mackinaw at Conkling Heritage Park, front porch of The Grand. 

Geranium Bar,   Audubon Wine Bar cozy library setting. After 6:30 in the main areas of the hotel, gentlemen are required to wear a coat, tie, and slacks, and women in a dress, skirt, or pantsuit. Somewhere in Time Rock filled Mackinac Island in 1980

The Gardens Tea Wedding Rose Walk, Wildflower Hill Tennis House Gardens Hors and Carriage Topiary

Supplies are delivered by wagon.  Automobiles are not allowed on the island.

THE BRIDGE

We ride our bikes around several historic sites, including Fort Michilimackinac,  

and Historic Mill Creek State Park.   Mackinaw City is a village in Michigan.  A perfect destination at the base of the Mackinac Bridge where the Great Lakes Huron and Michigan meet.  Sheplers Marine Service serves both power and sail boaters.

An engineering masterpiece; designed to withstand 125 mph winds of the straight

Views of the Mackinac Bridge, the straits, and the Upper Peninsula from the waterfront walking path.

The village and access point to Mackinac Island.  Colonial Michilimackinac 10th-century fort and fur trading village.  The livelihood here in 1778 was the fur trade. 

   John Jacob Astor established the American Fur Company's northern department headquarters on Mackinac Island and by the 1820s the fur trade was flourishing.

After a complete Bike Checkup by Tim, we completed an 8-mile bike ride through the village.  Now it is time to depart this beautiful village.   

Down Hwy 75 through Bay City/ Flint to:  Detroit, Michigan