Day 9 - Mackinaw City, Michigan

Early start today, only stopping for gas and a breakfast burrito on my way north up highway US41. Not too much on the road, which makes for easy driving, but lots of roadworks everywhere – the result of economic stimulus activity by Federal and State government. I see why they call Green Bay by that name – it is lined all around with trees, pine, birch, larch, aspen. The pines are nowhere near as high as those on the west coast – I guess the cold stunts their growth! Again today, the road does not hug the lakeshore, but from an environmental point of view this is probably a good thing, enabling the fragile coastal environment to survive undisturbed.

Lots of roadkill today too – I saw raccoons, skunks, a deer, a porcupine, a beaver, an otter, and what looked like a baby bear, though it’s not the season for them, so could have been something else. Not all that many birds of prey around, except in the far north.

It’s fun kicking back at 55 mph on cruise control, listening to the local radio stations – KRBR has a very funny DJ in the mornings; here’s an example: “Here’s how to have some fun – walk around Intensive Care dressed up as the Grim Reaper!”

Moving swiftly on, there are some very pretty small towns where the road touches the shore – especially the twin towns of Marinette, WI and Menominee, MI, set on either side of the mouth of the Menominee River on the state border. I also particularly liked Escanaba, Manistique (where the lighthouse is).

The stretch down from Gros Cap to St Ignace, where the Mackinac Bridge soars over the straits to Mackinaw City, is spectacular. This is where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron, and on a clear day you can see Canada!

My Days Inn motel in Mackinaw City is right on the water, with its own little beach and view of the bridge – also an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, and very well-equipped rooms – all for 50 bucks! Had a nice long walk after spending the day driving, and dinner at Nonna Lisa’s, an Italian joint done up like a hunting lodge, complete with stuffed animals on the walls and the rafters! The chicken marsala was pretty good!

Thought for the Day – The Obstacle is the Path (seen outside a church in Escanaba, MI)

Funny sign of the day: Scent-free hunting boots – beat that buck!