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.