Prime 11

Needing to wait for a refrigerator part delivery, our departure from Traverse City is delayed again, this time for just a few hours. While the bay is nice and calm, Lake Michigan is a bit choppy. As we get closer to Leland, the shore of Lake Michigan consists of sand dunes, rocky cliffs and precarious…

We make our way to the Duncan L. Clinch Marina, named for an army officer and Georgia congressmen (1787-1849). We are adjacent to the Clinch Park, which is home to the city’s most popular beach, likely as it is smack in the middle of downtown. Traverse City is the largest city in Northern Michigan and…

While the official designation on the map is Bellow Island, Northport residents appropriately refer to it as Gull Island, as it is home to a massive sea gull population. In 1910, a prominent St. Louis businessman, Edward Ustick, purchased the island and promptly built a summer vacation home. While building the house, Edward stated, “the…

Once again, we need to idle while we wait for the bridge opening, this time, in Round Lake. Round Lake is home to two of Earl Young’s mushroom houses. These two were not on our tour as they are located on a private drive, inaccessible to the public. The only view, of these iconic mushroom…

As we leave Harbor Springs, we cruise by the cottages of Harbor Point. Harbor Point is a completely private, gated and very upscale community. Homes are handed down from generation to generation and very rarely are offered to anyone outside of the community. Just like Mackinac Island, no cars are allowed on this peninsula. You…

Harbor Springs, on the shore of the Little Traverse Bay, is known as a historic summer resort. With a population of 1,274, and a size of 1.30 square miles, it is definitely a small community. While diminutive in size, the charming town offers a generous array of galleries, museums, boutiques and restaurants and its harbor…

We pass the Round Island Light, built in 1898. It lies on the west coast of Round Island within the shipping channel of The Straits of Mackinac. The Straits of Mackinac connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. This iconic lighthouse, often likened to a schoolhouse, along with Biddle Point on Mackinac Island, serves as the…

Before we leave for our destination, first things first! What is the correct pronunciation of Mackinac? We already messed up Beaufort along the way. 🤦‍♀️ Question: Is it pronounced Mackinaw or Mackinac???? Answer: Mackinaw City retains the “aw” spelling while the bridge, straits and island steadfastly cling to the “ac” spelling. No matter how it…

We leave the North Channel and head back into Lake Huron. We pass the Detour Reef Lighthouse. Built in 1931, it is located one mile off shore and for generations it has been a beacon to guide mariners to the gateway to Superior. It is one of the only lighthouses in the world that offers…

Outside of Little Current, we encounter a swing bridge. This bridge, built in 1913 and converted from a rail bridge, is the only connection from Manitoulin Island to the mainland. It is 17 1/2 feet off the water but swings open for 15 minutes each hour, on the hour, during daylight hours to allow the…