The Mighty Mack (Eight)

If you’ve been following my Blog, you already know that heights are not my thing. So far, I have survived walking across The Mile High Swinging Suspension Bridge on Grandfather’s Mountain (228 foot across). You survive the fear of being on a moving bridge with wind whistling thru each metal step and suspended over a gorge! Once you reach the other side, you turn around to look at your accomplishment while trying to catch your breath. You then realize, as your legs still feel paralyzed, that you have no choice but to walk those 228 feet again! It’s like being pushed out of the plane twice! I also survived the steep grades through Logan Canyon in Utah while traveling thru the Bear Mountain range. So why not cross one of the most feared and scariest bridges in the United States? The Mackinac Bridge is currently the 5th longest suspension bridge in the world. The total length is 5 miles and towers 199 feet above deep water at mid span. Sign me up for another dose of torturous anxiety! Mackinac Island here we come.

Being that we are a couple of Ohio Buckeyes, this trip did not score us any points with our family, nor friends! Anyone reading this blog knows that since the beginning of time, there has been a rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State fans. I didn’t know I could actually receive gentle hate-mail on Facebook for this vacation, but it did ruffle a few feathers! Nonetheless, on September 7, 2013, we started our trip North to Michigan. The plan was to cross the Mighty Mack Bridge, visit Mackinac Island, cross the bridge again, and travel as much coastline that we could squeeze in before returning home on the 13th. I LIVE for waterside towns! There are always friendly local people, fun places to eat & drink, and of course, the awesome views!

We took the Ann Arbor approach toward Flint and Saginaw, and arrived at our first CG at Bay County Pinconning Park. It is located on the Saginaw Bay, and we had a very nice waterfront campsite. I woke up the next morning with the thought of crossing that damn bridge to get to the Upper Peninsula (UP). We took I75 N up thru the center of the state to arrive at the Mighty Mack, and I was very happy that the weather cooperated with very little wind and no storms in site. This would have been a deal-breaker for me! No one could have warned me just how majestic this span of steel across so much water actually looks as you approach the entrance! It is quite breath-taking, literally! I couldn’t breathe, but the adrenaline takes care of your heart, and the pounding increases with every breath you manage to take. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures, and then recorded the entire crossing on video, while Roger drove Tin Lizzy across. There are only 2 lanes in both directions, and this little cement curb on the passenger side (my side) with a green guard rail that you can see right through! If that isn’t scary enough, the inner lane (11 foot wide) on both sides is NOT CEMENT! You can see right through the metal grating and you can hear a big difference immediately! Holy CRAP! I am here to tell you folks, this bridge is as scary to cross for the average scared-of-heights person as it gets! But it is equally as beautiful, and well worth crossing to get to the Upper Peninsula! DO NOT let your fear stop you from making this trip to God’s Country! You will not regret it and have a story to tell for the rest of your life!

We made it safely to St. Ignace to our CG called Tiki RV Park (another beautiful water-view site), which is conveniently located within walking distance to catching the Mackinac Island Ferry. We took that ferry tour the next day, and what a wonderful ride UNDER the bridge it is! This is when you get to see right up and thru the open grates that you drove across in that center lane! On one side of the bridge is Lake Huron, and the other side is Lake Michigan. I highly recommend that on your first visit to the Island, that you take a horse-drawn carriage tour. It is the best way to see everything, and get a lay-of-the-land before you walk or bike ride, because there are no motorized vehicles on Mackinac Island. We rode in a carriage pulled by our team named “King” and “Corkscrew.” Highlights were: The Governor’s Mansion, The Grand Hotel (1887 & home to the world’s longest front porch), Wings of Mackinac Butterfly House, and the famous Arch Rock (formed by nature). We enjoyed our lunch at Horn’s Gaslight Bar, the Island’s favorite spot to hang out. This visit to the Island was absolutely a lovely experience and I highly recommend it to anyone, not just fellow RV’ers! It is a bit touristy, and with that said, touristy prices, so be prepared if you have a family. I loved all the colorful foliage, flowers, and the architecture of the buildings!

Now that we have conquered the Mighty Mack challenge, it’s time to relax and see as much coastline that we can along the western shores of Michigan. We head to Cross Village and take the scenic route on Hwy 119 through the Tunnel of Trees. Please remember, back in 2013, we didn’t travel with a tow car (TOAD). My recommendation on this route; You can do it in a small RV, but if you have a toad, absolutely take the toad! It’s basically a one-way road with no middle line and very narrow. You constantly have to pull off to the side of the road to allow vehicles to pass by you (NOT fun in an RV and takes forever)! Next, we are on route to Traverse City. On the way, there is a very cute Waterside town called Elk Rapids where the people are super friendly, even if you’re a Buckeye. We arrived safely to our CG called Holiday Campground for another wonderful waterfront site. While we were in this area, our goal was to see and visit the Lighthouses and Wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula that divides the Grand Traverse Bay into East Arm and West Arm. A few recommendations: Chateau Grand Traverse Winery & Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Then we went as far North as you can go to Leelanau State Park, which is gorgeous! We stopped at Boone Docks Spirits & Edibles in Glen Arbor for a fabulous lunch, and visited Frankfort’s Sleeping Bear Dunes & Scenic Drive, which includes a 19th Century Farmhouse in Oneida Rural Historic District. Lastly, we traveled down the West coastline thru Manistee, Ludington, and Pentwater (recommend Village Café & Pub in Pentwater, and street-side shopping). Special note: There is approximately 8 miles of coastal shoreline between Ludington Harbor and Ludington State Park that you won’t read about in any tour books, and you won’t believe your eyes when you see the beauty of this coast! I have never seen a more pristine coastal view in my life! It’s as beautiful and blue as any ocean view, but crystal clear lake water! Our last stop was in Muskegon at the Duck Creek RV Resort before heading back to the land of Buckeyes.

This trip was amazing and memorable and not that far to travel to from Ohio! Sorry Ohio State Fans, but I LOVED visiting Michigan and continue to do so! Do yourselves a favor, and make the journey to the state with the longest freshwater coastline in the US! I promise you, if you love waterside towns and coastal waters, you will thank me for the recommendation! On a different note; This trip was also the very first time we met RV’ers that mentioned they were Full Timers. Up and to this point, I always wondered how so many folks could have these huge, beautiful Buses (Class A Coaches) with a color-coordinated Toad following behind, and afford to do all this travel to beautiful places. My husband used to say “rich bastards” as they went past us in our little Tin Lizzy and we’d just laugh! It never once occurred to me that their big beautiful Coach is their home! It started to make a little more sense to me how so many people could afford this not-so-cheap lifestyle. I never imagined that one day, someone would be referring to us as the rich bastards driving by in a Big Bus. Still makes me laugh whenever Roger says the words! Join me for some more RV humor in my next Blog and stay safe out there my fellow RV’ers…