Nice walk on the St. Ignace boardwalk this morning. It was just the right length for these tired legs. Lots of signs telling us a little about the local history, sunshine, a relaxed schedule. Aline went to get our ferry tickets while the rest of us packed our things into the car and onto the bikes. We hopped on the ferry for Mackinac. A young woman on the crew spotted our panniers as she helped to load the boat. She completed a mostly solo and unsupported ride from Maine to Florida earlier this summer. We traded blog addresses. She had a great trip, but a couple of pretty scary moments.
Soon we arrived at the island. I don't know quite what I expected, but I was taken aback by the crowd, by the Main Street packed with souvenir shops, by the number of bicycles, only a few of which appeared to be ridden by people who knew how they worked. Gently chaotic, this place. Main Street really has more in common with Disneyland's Main Street than it does with just about anything else I have ever seen. We struggled to walk our bikes off the ferry dock without hurting anyone, and without losing sight of Jim & Aline, who were struggling to find their suitcases. Then we all worked our cautious way down the street to our hotel.
It was too early to check in, which we expected. So we learned the first very un-Disneyland thing about the island: you just leave your bags lying in the lobby while you go off to explore. Don't tell TSA. And they don't rent locks with all those bicycles. Everyone just leaves them standing in the street. Of course, they almost all have kickstands. Well, we can pick things up pretty fast. We tossed everything in the lobby, went back to the heap to empty a pannier to hold our picnic, and prepared to explore the rest of the island. Of course, we needed a few provisions. Jim and Aline rented bikes and some of us fueled up with ice cream. A wonderfully high percentage of the Main Street shoppes offer ice cream. Oh, did I say shoppes? Sorry. I must be giving in to the island atmosphere.
There is a paved trail, almost road, that follows the shore of the island all the way around. It is 8 miles long, almost entirely flat. We rode the whole thing, averaging maybe 9mph. There were hundreds of bikes on the trail, all just taking it easy. We stopped one place to walk up a bunch of steps to see the Arch Rock - very worth the climb. We stopped at a little path & followed it (maybe all of ten feet) to a little beach no one else seemed to be using & had lunch. A ring billed gull came very close and watched with great interest. Then we packed up and dawdled the rest of the way around. Our rooms were ready. Bruce and I were allowed to stash our bikes in an office in the rather dungeon-like space in the hotel basement. Then we came upstairs.
Well, I won't have any trouble getting used to this. Our room is big - bedroom and living room - with all sorts of comfortable furniture and a view over the yacht harbor. Yes, we can sit with our feet up and gaze out at the bikini-clad sunbathers on the big yachts, the parasailers, the ducks & geese. If we take the trouble to walk out on our deck (which turns out to be quite easy once you realize the door wants to be pulled, not pushed - took a few minutes), we can see other islands - at least I think they are islands - the mainland, the fort here, a ferry dock, the hotel pool and patio restaurant. Very resorty, very different from anything else on the trip so far. Not quiet, but perfectly restful.
Aline & Bruce walked a short distance & found a restaurant in a more serene setting, so we'll head there for an early dinner.
Not quite what I expected, but a great break in our routine.
Miles today: 9
Total miles so far: 2899
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