GL: Mackinac Island Area

[Rob Johnson]

If you don't want to sound too much like a "fudgie" (local name given to the
tourists. Why? All of the fudge shops.) the entire area is pronounced
Mackinaw.

My daughter worked for the harbormaster on Mackinac Island for 3 years. It
was almost a daily occurrence to see a boat that dragged its anchor and end
up on the breakwater. They had a "direct line" to the local coast guard to
deal with this. Between the rock bottom and the ferry surge it is not a good
place to anchor. IF you must anchor there, keep a 24 hour anchor watch.

The Island, as it is known locally, is really a must stop while anyone is in
the area. No autos are allowed on the island, just bicycles, horses, and
fudge. One can rent bikes on the island, or take your own, and take the 5 mi
ride around the outside. More fun is to ride up behind the Grand Hotel and
see where the locals live. If you can get a dock or a hotel room you will
see the island in a different light. After the last ferry leaves, the Island
takes on a new "flavor". The Fudgies are all gone; the pace is slower and is
very peaceful. I love the island in the evening. While lying in your berth
and hearing the sounds of the island waking up (whir of the bicycles and the
clip-clop of the horses) is a memory I will keep for a long time.

BTW, our daughter never was able to get us a slip ahead of anyone else. The
last time we went to the Island the conversation with the Harbor Master's
office went something like this:

DF: Mackinac Island Harbor Master this is Danny's Fault

MIHM: Danny's Fault this is Mackinac Island Harbor Master. Hi Mom and Dad.
Love you and you are number 14 on the waiting list.

Hope everyone plans on making this stop on their way through the Straits.

If anyone is in the west end of the North Channel, we are still here in
Bruce Mines, ON, doing our refit on Danny's Fault. Stop by and maybe we can
fire up the Sauna or at least have a libation.

Rob Johnson
s/v Danny's Fault