We just returned from a four day weekend exploring Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks, and the area around that beautiful part of Michigan.
We met our friends from Cleveland, Ohio up there. They left their home at 8:00, we left our home at 8:00 and we met at our rental home at almost the same exact time! About 6.5 hours for each of us. They came up through Lower Michigan and we headed up through Meonomonee and Escanaba MI.
I found our rental home in Cheboygan, MI on Air B and B. We have rented through VRBO and Homeaway but this was our first experience with Air B and B. It was a good experience as it has been with the other companies. Our rental was a three bedroom, two bath ranch home located with a view of Lake Huron.
It was very well equipped and clean. We would definitely rent it again. The price is comparable to the motels in that area and we like having so much space and a full kitchen.
Cheboygan is about 20 miles from the Mighty Mac bridge but that distance didn't bother us and it kept us out of the hustle and bustle of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, the two towns that are on either side of the bridge.
Both cities have many hotels, shops, and other tourist traps and lots of people. I prefer St. Ignace which still has small town charm. This is the first time that we have stayed anywhere other than St. Ignace.
There are two bridge viewing pull offs along Highway 2 right before you get to St. Ignace. This was taken at one of the those stops.
Here are a few more photos from those stops.
There are clean bathrooms located at the second viewing area. The first area had pit toilets of which Sherri is not a fan.
The bridge is back there somewhere!
After leaving the second viewing area, we crossed the Mighty Mac and proceeded to Cheboygan.
There is a $4.00 toll to cross the bridge. There was not a line on either Thursday afternoon or Sunday morning, but on Saturday late morning we did end up waiting in a long line.
Crossing the bridge:
These last two were taken as we left Cheboygan to return home.
Notice how blue the sky was on the day we left as opposed to the cloudy skies of the first trip over the bridge to Cheboygan.
As I said, our home was beautiful and so well equipped.
Welcome to our home away from home.
We enjoyed some great fires around our firepit. Don't forget the mosquito spray!
This was our back patio and deck.
A great place to enjoy a beverage and catch up on our lives.
This was the view from our backyard. Lake Huron is off in the distance, but we could easily walk to the shore.
Day Two - Mackinac Island Adventure
We woke up to a cloudy, drizzly morning and questioned our plan to go to Mackinac Island, but we decided that we were not going to let a little weather keep us away.
Apparently thousands of other people felt the same way since the Island was so crowded.
We had brought our bikes along although it is so easy to rent a bike on the Island if you don't want to bother with your own.
We caught a "Starline" fast boat at the Mackinaw Dock. There are a few boat companies and as far as we can tell, they all offer the same services at equal prices. We just happened to come upon the "Starline" dock first so that is what we chose.
The ride on the fast jet boat took about 25 minutes, the ride on the slower boat takes about 45 minutes. Either way, it is a beautiful trip across Lake Michigan. On this particular day it was a bit cool and windy but still very nice.
We found that dressing in layers was the way to go on this cloudy, drizzly day. We took a backpack so could easily shed the layers as the weather warmed and the drizzle stopped, which it did.
Here are the two boats. The one with the rooster tail is the fast jet boat and the other one is one of the slower boats.
We rode the 8 mile bike ride around the Island first. It is an easy smooth, level blacktopped road with lots of fun places to stop along the way. We love to stop and take photos along the way.
There are no motor vehicles on the Island but you will need to watch out for all the horse drawn carriages and other bicyclists.
Our first stop was at the miniature golf course to have lunch at The Bistro on the Green.
Our first stop was at the miniature golf course to have lunch at The Bistro on the Green.
The first of many whitefish sandwiches. YUM!
Great outside seating right on the lake, wonderful food, great drinks, reasonable prices, friendly wait staff, and nice, clean bathrooms made it a great stop.
The next stopping point was Arch Rock. At this stop you can park your bike and hike up the steps to the top to view arch rock from the top as well as from the bike route. We have always climbed to the top, but on this trip since we were with friends who were not able to make that big climb, we stopped only to photo if from the bottom, still a beautiful photographic opportunity.
There are very nice bathrooms at the top if needed.
At this point you have traveled about a mile. The bike route is right along the lake so it is very scenic..
Our next stop was at the midway point where there are clean bathrooms, a concession stand with lots of good treats and a historical marker as well as a cannon marking the British landing.
As we continued on our bike ride, our next stop was Devil's Kitchen. Stopped for another photo op and also offered to take photos of a few families who were there.
Before we knew it, we were back in the downtown area and our bike ride was finished.
An easy 8 miles for sure.
We parked our bikes along with literally thousands of other bikes lining the street.
There are ample clean public bathrooms in the downtown area, too. So far finding a bathroom has not been an issue.
We decided to have a beer to reward ourselves for a ride well done. There are so many choices and we chose Millie's On Main which was right in front of us. We think they would all be equally friendly and have a good variety of local craft beers. The bar tenders were a wealth of local information and recommendations for entertainment and dining as well as history.
We decided to take a carriage ride around the island to learn more about its history.
The carriage ride started out on Main Street, right in front of our beer stop, and after a tour of the downtown area we were dropped at the stables in the interior of the island where we could tour some historical buildings and do some shopping before boarding another carriage which took us farther into the interior of the island.
Both parts of the tour were very informative, we learned a lot of facts.
The second tour took us to the top of Arch Rock, so we were able to see it from up there after all.
We got an up close and personal view of the Grand Hotel. It does cost $10.00 just to get on the grounds of the hotel, so seeing it from this vantage point was great.
Here is Arch Rock from the top. Due to natural erosion, it is believed to last only another twenty years or so, so, you better get there soon to see it!
View from the top.
The road we biked on is way down there in this photo.
Our second carriage pulled by three Belgian horses.
Whether you choose to see Mackinac Island by foot, bike, or carriage, it is definitely a must see spot on your trip to the UP.
We returned to Cheboygan and had a wonderful meal at the Boat House Restaurant. More whitefish for Sherri! She can't get enough when she's am up there or in Door County.
Day Three - The Soo Locks
The infamous Pasty
Ready to board the boat to tour the Soo Locks
Our boat
The international bridge to Canada. If you wanted to visit Canada by crossing this bridge, you would need a passport.
The Canadian flag flying along the Canadian side of the locks
We are in the lock here
The next stopping point was Arch Rock. At this stop you can park your bike and hike up the steps to the top to view arch rock from the top as well as from the bike route. We have always climbed to the top, but on this trip since we were with friends who were not able to make that big climb, we stopped only to photo if from the bottom, still a beautiful photographic opportunity.
There are very nice bathrooms at the top if needed.
Our next stop was at the midway point where there are clean bathrooms, a concession stand with lots of good treats and a historical marker as well as a cannon marking the British landing.
An easy 8 miles for sure.
We parked our bikes along with literally thousands of other bikes lining the street.
There are ample clean public bathrooms in the downtown area, too. So far finding a bathroom has not been an issue.
We decided to have a beer to reward ourselves for a ride well done. There are so many choices and we chose Millie's On Main which was right in front of us. We think they would all be equally friendly and have a good variety of local craft beers. The bar tenders were a wealth of local information and recommendations for entertainment and dining as well as history.
We decided to take a carriage ride around the island to learn more about its history.
The carriage ride started out on Main Street, right in front of our beer stop, and after a tour of the downtown area we were dropped at the stables in the interior of the island where we could tour some historical buildings and do some shopping before boarding another carriage which took us farther into the interior of the island.
Both parts of the tour were very informative, we learned a lot of facts.
The second tour took us to the top of Arch Rock, so we were able to see it from up there after all.
After the tour, which lasted over 2 hours, we were dropped off at the top of this hill which leads to the downtown area again.
We boarded our boat to make the return trip to the mainland after a great day on Mackinac Island which is pronounced Mackinaw, by the way. We learned that on the tour.Whether you choose to see Mackinac Island by foot, bike, or carriage, it is definitely a must see spot on your trip to the UP.
We returned to Cheboygan and had a wonderful meal at the Boat House Restaurant. More whitefish for Sherri! She can't get enough when she's am up there or in Door County.
Day Three - The Soo Locks
The Soo Locks are located in Sault Ste Marie which is about an hour drive from Cheboygan. We were held up on the bridge crossing for about ten minutes, but the view is so pretty that it hardly mattered.
We had lunch at a great little place in Sault Ste Marie, called Karl's. No white fish this time for me, I opted for pizza but our friends tried a pasty, that wonderful UP specialty. They really enjoyed the pasties. John and I have had them before and they are tasty.
After lunch we decided to take the Soo Locks boat tour.
We would highly recommend the tour since it takes you through both the American and the Canadian locks. The locks move boats up or down the 21 foot difference between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The tour is very informative. It lasts about two hours. There are refreshments and clean bathrooms on the boat.
The lock has lowered us 21 feet and we are ready to head out the doors that are opening.
After the tour, we headed back toward Cheboygan with a stop in St. Ignace at the Mackinaw Grill for dinner.
We sat outside on a patio overlooking the lake
John and I both had the whitefish platter, so yummy.
There was a fish boil on the menu but I just didn't think Michigan could do them the way that Door County does, so I opted out of that choice. Our friend, Tom, who is from Ohio wanted to give the fish boil a try. He did not care for it and I will say it did not look anywhere near as appetizing as the ones in Door County.
We headed back to our rental and enjoyed a fire and a full moon.
Again, a reminder about the mosquitoes! Wear lots of spray.
We left the next morning for our homes
John and I stopped in St. Ignace to hit up one of my favorite souvenir shops. We walked out $91.00 poorer but with some great treasures.
We also walked along the boardwalk by the lake in St. Ignace. It's a great walk and there are clean public bathrooms right by the large parking lot.
John and I stopped at a park in Escanaba and ate some of our leftovers by the lake.
It was a wonderful long weekend.
We enjoyed making memories with our friends from Ohio.
We know we all all be back again.
Until next time, which is going to be our BIG summer trip...
Travel safe and have fun along the way.
Where do you think we are going?
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