Lake Huron

After clearing customs we headed for DeTour Village, the cruising could not have been better today and we did 66.4 NM, not much by car standards but it will be very seldom we cruise that many miles in a day.  This was our first Michigan state marina and we were delighted by it, right in town, non ethanol fuel at the dock and a price that cannot be beat.  DeTour Village was a small town but very neat and tidy.  We ate at the Village Inn and Rory was allowed to come into the bar with us, such a treat.  The large ships go right past the marina breakwall on their way to St. Mary's River - note the size difference!

We were a little nervous about Lake Huron as we had heard some wave heights when the winds were howling and seas were 8 feet but we awoke to another calm day, our second perfect cruising day.  We had thought of heading to the north of Lake Huron and visit the islands up there but with such a perfect day we went directly to Mackinac Island.  The other reason we had been nervous about Lake Huron was the freighters but we were fortunate on that as well, no issues.

Mackinac Island was high on my list of places I wanted to visit while on the loop and it did not disappoint, we were able to get into the marina which was located on the waterfront, such a wonderful location. The town was packed with tourists, most of them came across on the ferry which makes for a great deal of movement at the docks but it is a small price to pay for being in the heart of things.  Everyone rides bikes or takes horse drawn carriages and I have never seen such a concentration of bikes or fudge shops!

 

 Deliveries were also done by horse and cart

 Ferry and the Round Lighthouse

 Transportation

We walked through the rain to visit the Governers Mansion which had a fantastic view of the harbour and while talking to other visitors we realized what better way to spend the day than eating so we made our way to the Grand Hotel to indulge in their lunch buffet.

 Piggy #1

 Piggy #2

 The Grand Hotel

We decided to take a bike ride around the island, 8 miles of flat, paved road with only other bicyclists to worry about, it was wonderful. 

 The Arch

 The road we biked on

 

After two days enjoying Mackinac Island we decided to move on, we headed out and discovered that the conditions were not good at all, very confused seas and it was only 9 in the morning.  We contacted Dovekee and Blue Skies (other loopers) by VHF radio to see if the conditions improved after the bridge and were told no.  We were able to quickly change our plans and head to Mackinaw City, just 5 miles across the Straits of Mackinaw.  The next day was just as bad so we stayed on the boat, did chores, walked with Rory, and met more Loopers!  We met a couple from Australia who had read so much about the Great Loop they flew to Florida, purchased a boat, and started their loop.  We also met our first Canadian Loopers, a couple from Stratford, Ontario, Terri and Mark with their boat dog Smudge, who keep their boat TerrMar in Goderich - by looper standards practically neighbours.