We checked back into the US through an online Border Patrol Ap, we didn’t even talk to a live person! We docked at DeTour Village Marina, run by the DNR. We bought fuel here and were glad we were back to gallons and dollars and yes it was cheaper too. We had dinner with a group of Loopers, at the only restaurant in town and stocked up on food at Dollar General. This gives you an idea of how small De Tour really is.
We then headed for Mackinaw Island and arrived at Mackinaw Straits marina located across the channel from the Island. We took the ferry over to Mackinaw Island where we had breakfast and toured the Grand Hotel. We spent the afternoon taking a horse-drawn carriage tour, shopping the main street, and sampling the Fudge in search of the best one. Ron is the fudge expert in the family and felt Murdicks has the creamiest fudge on the island, so we bought some of that back to the boat, it didn’t last long.
Our Looper friends, Jim and Kristi from SISU and Marilyn and Roger from Uncle Wiggly all checked into the US with us.Our Welcome Home at the only restaurant in DeTour, the Main SailThe Mackinac Island Marina, the harbor is located right where all the main tourist attractions are. We weren’t able to obtain dockage, but it worked out just fine as the high-speed ferry runs often and takes minutes to cross the channel.We literally ran into Loopers, Hal and Wendy, on the way to the Grand Hotel for breakfast, so we shared that experience with them. We first met them on their boat, Patriot, when we started the Loop in Alton last September. We have seen them throughout the Loop at various stops along the way.Breakfast at the Grand Dining Room feels like a special occasion included in the price was both the buffet and off-the-menu entrees. If you chose not to eat at the Grand or aren’t staying at the hotel they do charge $10/per person to tour the property.Grand Hotel takes great pride in its furnishings. We appreciated the touch of whimsy thrown in with the artwork. The world’s longest porch at the Grand Hotel, Most of us remember this porch from the movie “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeve. Built back in 1887, the whole property just beckons you to go back in time. Grand BallroomOne of the 14 dining options at the GrandHotel LobbyMuch attention is given to the decor and furnishings of the hotel. All of the 388 rooms are uniquely decorated and named. Rates start at $400 a night depending on the size and view of the room.The main street of the Island. Since there are no motorized vehicles allowed, the mode of transportation is buggy, bike, or horse. This is the UPS truck for the island delivering goods to the local businesses. Main Street smells of lilacs, fudge, and horse manure.Hotel guests to the island arrive by ferry and then bellhops take their luggage to the hotelCouldn’t leave the Island without checking out the Yacht Club, this one is used for member events only, with no restaurant or boat slips.A horse-drawn carriage tour of the island gave us the highlights and the history of the island. One stop on the tour, This beautiful limestone formation is Arch Rock is one of the most photographed spots on the Island. Through the rock, you can see some breathtaking views of the Lake.Grand Hotel horse-drawn taxi, still used todayThe William Vanderbilt Carriage. The family had holdiings on Mackinac Island and The Grand Hotel, as it was a destination that would increase ticket sales on their railroads.One of the stops on the tour included the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum, an antique carriage museum featuring dozens of carriages used over the years on the island, including many of the presidents and other rich and famous. The museum also houses a working blacksmith shop and stable.Back at our marina in Mackinaw City, there were celebration fireworks, apparently a Friday night summer traditionThe majestic five-mile suspension bridge spans two Michigan peninsulas, 0ver 11,000 individuals worked on some aspect of this engineering wonder. The “Mighty Mac” took 4 years to build and opened Nov. 1, 1957.Passing under the bridge costs nothing but a toll of $2 per axel or $4 per car is charged for driving over it.
Reimanns 'round the loop in 2022 