Makinaw City, Lake Huron, Michigan

We left Walstrom’s Marine in Harbor Springs, Michigan, just before 6:00 am, bound for Mackinaw City, Michigan. Today we reached the northernmost point in our Michigan to Florida cruise…its all down hill from here 😉 We also transited the Straits of Mackinac, under the Mackinac Bridge, and passed from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.

Just before reaching the Mackinac Bridge we noticed 5 or 6 boats 1000 yds back coming up behind us fast. I didn’t have my camera ready when I heard the roar as they approached and missed the first two boats in the video. Fast was an understatement! They were clocking 90 – 100 mph! We know because they were day-docked at the Mackinaw City Municipal Marina, the same marina we docked at for the night. When they came back to their boats and headed for the fuel dock, we spoke to several of them. They are in the area for a poker run tomorrow and just headed out today for a “day cruise.” They remembered passing us just before the Mackinac Bridge when the first two boats had opened it up to 100 mph!!

The Mackinac Bridge, nicknamed “Big Mac” and “Mighty Mac,” is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the 26,372-foot (4.995 mi) bridge is the world’s 19th longest main span (3rd in the US) and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere.

At noon we were docked at the Municipal marina and headed out to explore Mackinaw City. We found lots of tourist shops and LOTS of fudge shops! “ You couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting a fudge shop.” After stopping in a few bar/restaurants for a beer and some local flavor, we headed to tour the Mackinaw, a U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker.

The United States Coast Guard Icebreaker Mackinaw is known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes” and “The Largest Icebreaker on the Great Lakes”. She was built as part of the war effort during World War II to meet the heavy demands of war materials and transportation during the winter months. Decommissioned in 2006, she now resides at her namesake home of Mackinaw City, Michigan, and is open for public tours. Informative displays, a self-guided tour and well placed tour guides tell the story of the Mackinaw’s 62-year career of breaking ice on the Great Lakes. The self-guided tour includes visits to the Mess Deck, Captains Quarters, Bridge, Engine Room, Ward Room, Sick Bay and more.