Cheboygan, MI

We left Drummond Harbor Yacht Haven after a lot of time spent deliberating the forecast on Tuesday, August 28. The winds and seas were projected to be higher particularly for our Great Loop colleagues who were heading to Lake Michigan. Out route seemed like it would be OK as the day progressed so we delayed our departure until noon and then set off.  The lake had one foot waves with short period swells to start which we were taking on the bow so it was relatively comfortable.  We made our way across the top of Lake Huron and as the day wore on the seas calmed because we were in the shadow of the mainland, hugging the east coast of Michigan and passing some of the lighthouses for which the Great Lakes are known.

By 5:30 we made our way into the Cheboygan River following a ferry into the harbor. After waiting for the 9 foot bridge to open we arrived at the municipal marina which was just a wall in the center of town.  We tied up next to that walk and a parking lot and a fellow cruiser mistakenly told us we could stay there for free with power and all!  Apparently he leaves before the attendant arrives the next morning to collect payment.  Jonny thought there might be a nicer place to tie up a bit further up the river and so we moved and found one next to a park and just under the pedestrian walking bridge.  It was a very nice location with an attractive gazebo and historic scenes painted on walls in the park (and the all essential restrooms nearby).

The next day we took a $5 shuttle bus to the ferry to Mackinac Island. On our way we passed under the bridge that when first built was the longest suspension bridge in the world.  The weather was a little cool and rainy but it was expected to clear by noon.  

We had a great time at Mackinac exploring a lot of the island on foot. The downtown area was busy with lots of shops,  restaurants, and horse drawn carriages.

We took one of the historic walks and went by the fort (but didn’t go in as we have seen lots of forts on this journey).  We went on to the Governor of Michigan’s summer home and lucked out.  It is only open on Wednesdays and this was the last Wednesday it would be open for the season.  The governor and his wife actually use it and it felt very much like a lived-in home. It was lovely with comfortably inviting seating areas around a cozy fireplace, a gracious dining room and a lovely sun porch. All these rooms had amazing views of the lake.  It was an 11 bedroom house but it didn’t seem so. Of course we did not get to see any of the second floor but we were assured that the governor and his wife used the rooms we were able to visit.  It’s the first time we had toured an historic home and felt that we could imagine ourselves actually living there. 

From there we took a scenic walk along the shoreline and saw several summer “cottages” with fabulous flower gardens and an amazing natural stone arch.

 As the rain stopped, we found a very nice outdoor restaurant for lunch looking out over the lake. 

Originally, we were going to rent bicycles and bike around the island after lunch but we decided to explore the historic areas on foot.  We walked through the less commercial parts of town, past historic churches, and forested areas.

Then we headed over to the Grand Hotel.  Jonny wasn’t up for spending $10 to walk onto their famous porch but Lynn was so she explored the resorts public spaces and reported back to Jonny.  

Lynn also wanted to walk through the part of town where the 500 or so permanent residents lived (to see how the other 90% lived)! Their homes were much more modest than the huge “cottages” that lined the shores of Mackinac.  We saw lots horses grazing and stables (some nicer than the residents’ homes) where the horses that draw the carriages are kept.  No cars are allowed on the island and surprisingly to us we saw no golf carts either! 

As we walked along a coastal road with some magnificent cottages we came again to the Grand Hotel.  There were no staff keeping people out from that side so we both walked in and Jonny got to see this iconic hotel for free!

At the end of the day, we took the ferry back to the town of Mackinaw where we killed some time waiting for the shuttle back to the marina by indulging in ice cream and coffee and wondering how so many fudge shops can compete and remain operational in two square blocks!  (Note that the town is spelled Mackinaw and the island is Mackinac but they are both pronounced Mackinaw.) We learned the interesting fact that Carl Fisher, one of Miami Beach’s founding fathers, was from this part of the country and was instrumental in building the Dixie Highway built that goes all the way from Mackinaw to Miami!

Once back in Cheboygan, we hit the local brew pub and grocery and had a light dinner before going to bed.

Our trip to Cheboygan and Mackinac Island turned out to be really fun, more so than we ever expected!