August 25-26 Days 85-86 40 mi / 1574 total

Waterford lead the way out of beautiful Detour at 7:30 a.m. under overcast skies.  Winds were out of the south at 20 knots, which meant 4 footers on the nose til we made the turn toward Mackinac at the Detour Light.  The wave angle was much more comfortable going toward Mackinac Island.  And then we turned to cross the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinaw City ----- YIKES!  We were seeing gusts to 35 knots and dodging ferries as we homed in on the entrance to Straits State Harbor.  The entrance is not only difficult to see, but a sharp S curve going in ---- fun, fun, fun!  However we were soon secure in our slip -- directly across from Hallelujah, whom we had met at the Soo. 

Garry and I had stopped at this marina when bringing Waterford "home" in 2011 --- it's another great Michigan state facility.  This one has a great view of the Mackinac Bridge.


We walked to Sheplar's marine store and then cruised the shops before ducking into the Keyhole Bar for refreshments just ahead of the rain.  We made it back to the dock before the heavy storms began.


Monday August 26





After raining all night, the skies cleared (must be Camelot!), so Garry and I walked into town for a great brunch.  Back at the dock, we got the bikes down and set off on a tour of Mackinaw City.








First stop, a tour of the retired Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw docked right next to the marina.  She and her crew were tasked with keeping the shipping lanes open to freighters despite the ice.

Sunny, but windy day on the foredeck with "Big Mac" in the background.














Our ride continued along the beautiful shoreline past the lighthouse and fort. 

"Big Mac" dominates the scene wherever you are!












Our tour continued out of town a couple of miles to the McGulpin  Point Lighthouse.  Garry and I caught this big guy moving through the straits from the catwalk atop the light.





On the way back to the dock we made a stop at a colonial village currently in the process of restoration and a stop at the Pastie Shop for a quick snack.  We're still trying to find our #1 pastie!

Weather and water conditions have been so kind that we're ahead of schedule.  So tomorrow we'll take a short side trip into Lake Michigan, returning to Straits Harbor before moving south on Lake Huron.  Our motto of 42 years  "ya gotta be flexible"!