September 1- 3 Days 92-94 49 mi / 1695 total

We left beautiful Petoskey at 7:30 a.m. with Day Dreams in the lead.  Although it was mostly clear and calm to start, we hoped to beat some weather that was heading our way.  Almost made it --- it was raining lightly as we returned to Straits State Harbor in Mackinaw City in the early afternoon.  The perfect kind of afternoon to do a couple of loads of laundry and get ready for the big Bridge Walk. 

Monday September 2 - Labor Day

A typical Labor Day --- cold (temps in the 50's) windy and light rain off and on --- whoooo hooo

Although not originally on our "bucket list", we decided to do the annual Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge.  The timing was right and it's one of those things you might only do once in your lifetime, right?!  AND the buses taking walkers across to St. Ignace to the starting line were being staged in the parking lot right next to the marina --- we couldn't not do it.



Starting out.............

We didn't make the first buses (are you kidding, 5:30 a.m.?!), but we did get in line about 7:30, bused over to St. Ignace and began our walk across at 8:50. 






Half way -- can you say cold???

Bundled up in sweatshirts and rain gear, we completed the 5 mile walk at 10:20.  We were among 40,000 walkers (a low year) of every age and description, some who had participated every year since 1957!





Our reward, a nice hot Starbucks on the way back to the marina --- another check off the bucket list!

Tuesday September 3

Not a good day to leave the harbor --- small craft advisory, high winds and waves.  We'll just hang out here another day.  Despite the wind, it was sunny and much warmer than yesterday.  A good day for an afternoon bike ride.  We took off on the bike trail south toward Mill Creek State Park.  It was a great trail in an old railroad bed.  On our way back, we checked out the campground --- a great facility with 1000 campsites/cabins right on the shore of Lake Huron with awesome views of Mackinac Island and the bridge.  It would be a great place to hook up with friends/family.

If weather cooperates, we'll head out tomorrow.