Aurora Borealis

 We departed Mackinac Island, headed for Sous Ste. Marie. At 2AM, we got the call from the Captain that an unusually nice display of northern lights was visible on the starboard side of the ship. Since our room was on the starboard side, it was easy for me to roll out of bed, grab my camera, and head out. I was not disappointed.

Judging from the time of day and the direction of the northern lights, I believe we were on or near Munuscong Lake, Michigan at the time, circled on the map. The night sky was crystal clear without clouds. In addition to perfect weather conditions, solar conditions were excellent as well. I had a good camera and the right lens. I was missing a tripod and terra firma. Fortunately, the water was calm.

The lights we see at night are caused by events on the surface of the sun. Solar storms are colossal events the emit huge clouds of electrically charged particles which can travel millions of miles. The particles that happen to collide with planet earth are deflected toward the north and south poles by earth's magnetic field. These high energy charged particles transfer their energy to atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, causing them to glow. Getting out of the weeds, here are some of the pictures I took.

Second Stop, Mackinac Island (the 2nd "c" is silent)

 

For starters, the name of the island is pronounced Mackinaw, like the Michigan city of Mackinaw. Mackinac is a shortened version of the Native American name, Michilimackinac. We cruised overnight, east across northern Lake Michigan, under the five mile long Mackinac Bridge (also known as "Mighty Mac"), arriving Tuesday morning at Mackinac Island. While crossing we had a nice view of northern lights (more on that later.)

Northern Lights from Lake Michigan

The Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper Michigan Peninsula to the rest of Michigan

There is so much history on this little island. Long before the French and English discovered it, it was inhabited by multiple Native American tribes. First, it was the French fur traders who moved in, starting around 1630. The French formed strong military and economic bonds with the Odawa and Ojibwe tribes to repel the Brits. British soldiers took some control in 1761, and later constructed Fort Mackinac. The entire area including Macinac Island was officially acquired by the United States through the 1783 Treaty of Paris. During the War of 1812, the Americans were caught by surprise by the Brits, who took the island back. In 1815, the Treaty of Ghent returned the island to the United States.

Tourism began after the Civil War. The federal government transferred the land to Michigan, and the area became Michigan's first state park in 1895. Automobiles were banned from the island in 1898, and that ban continues to the present.

The size of the island is less than four square miles. Transportation other than emergency vehicles is by horse and buggy, necessitating daily cleanup. The carriage rides set the pace of life for the visitors and the few hundred permanent residents. We did not lack for things to do and places to visit on the small island.

Mackinac Island is famous for fudge. That becomes clear by numerous fudge merchants, hawking their goods as "the best on the island."

Fort Mackinac on top of the hill is rich with historical exhibits and spaces. The views from the fort are wonderful. We look forward to a return trip to Mackinac Island.

First Stop, Escanaba, Michigan

Upon departing Chicago, we traveled along the coasts of Illinois and Wisconsin for two days to northernmost Lake Michigan. We arrived at Escanaba the following morning. Escanaba is the 3rd largest city on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with historical significance for the iron ore industry. In 1863, Escanaba was selected to build the first massive iron-ore dock on Lake Michigan. It was strategically located as a trading post for timber, and furs.

For tourists today, we were able to visit an interesting museum and the Sand Point Lighthouse. Docked at the Marine Terminal only a few hundred feet from where our Victory I ship was docked, is the huge Cason J. Callaway freighter, no longer in use. The freighter was built in 1952 to haul mainly iron ore, coal, and limestone. It is 767 feet long, 70 feet wide, and is powered by a steam turbine. Standing next to it, one feels quite small.

The Callaway docked. Victory I, our home for 12 days to the right.

 

Traveling the Great Lakes

 At 4:00 AM, on a Friday morning, we embarked upon a two week journey that would include a 12 day cruise of all five Great Lakes. It started a few hundred yards from Lake Erie at the Amtrak train station in Cleveland, our home. Six-and-a-half hours later, we disembarked at the beautiful train station in downtown Chicago. We spent one night at a hotel on the Riverwalk.

On Saturday, we visited the great Art Institute of Chicago. Our first and only misadventure occurred when Eric's wallet was removed from his pocket without his consent. Lots of chaos and confusion ensued, but no permanent damage occurred.

Evanston, Illinois at sunset

We boarded our ship two hours later at Navy Pier, and we were on our way to Escanaba, Michigan.