This was our longest trip to date – about 3¼ hours. We flew along the Upper Peninsula. It was so beautiful but there is nothing there between the few towns, not even farms, just miles of emerald green woods and royal blue lakes and a lone road here and there.
At the airport (tie down fee of $10), there is a red taxi phone in the lobby. 10-15 minutes later, a horse drawn carriage pulls up – so cool! (You are not able to rent bikes at the airport so you would need to bring your own or rent bikes in town to tour the island). The carriage ride into town is $6.50 pp (one way), and it takes you right down the driveway of the Grand Hotel (normally to go on the grounds costs $12). When we went (May 23) the tulips were blooming at the Grand Hotel – just beautiful!
(FYI – lunch at the Grand Hotel is $45 which includes admission to the grounds). I don’t recommend walking into town as it is quite a hike and you would have to watch out for the horse “gifts”!
In town, we had a nice lunch at the Yankee Rebel Tavern, and then walked over to Fort Mackinac ($10.50). Since it sits on top of a huge hill, there are beautiful views of the town and harbor below. At the fort there are hourly canon and rifle demonstrations. Afterwards we couldn’t miss the numerous gift shops in town, and of course bring home delicious fudge.
There is a booth in town to call for the taxi back to the airport. We then flew across the strait to St Ignace to fuel, as there is no gas on Mackinac Island.
June ‘09 – We were still trying for Cleveland, but Mother Nature was not cooperating so we headed north again, but this time to Mackinaw City (Michigan). It was beautiful when we landed – blue skies and 70! Definitely in the north woods here – everywhere we went there were examples of taxidermy at its finest. Even the baggage claim area at the airport had 3 bears keeping watch! Try to call during the week to reserve a car since someone may not be at the car rental kiosk otherwise (they are on call).
We visited Mill Creek Discovery Park and went zip-lining (fun!) ($8 for park, plus $7 for Adventure package – includes zip lining, walk on canopy rope/plank bridge – you’re harnessed in), and rock wall climbing/observation tower). There are also hourly water-powered sawmill demonstrations.
We had a nice patio lunch at the Historic Depot Restaurant at Mackinaw Crossings in town while enjoying the sweet scent of lilacs in bloom (June 13). (Across the strait, Mackinac Island was having its lilac festival). There are tons of shops within walking distance. We ran out of time, but would have liked to tour the Icebreaker ship/museum across from Mackinaw Crossings and Colonial Michillimackimac Fort and Village.
July ’09 – Well, we finally made it to Cleveland! This was a really nice flight past Gary’s steel mills, beautiful Ohio farmland and Cedar Point Amusement Park (some photos in August Hangar Talk from this trip). We flew into Burke Lakefront Airport. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a 5-10 minute walk from the airport. Admission is $22 but there are cool exhibits and videos. We were there about 3 hours, plus lunch. On the walk back to the airport, you can stop and tour the USS Cod submarine if you wish. The Cleveland Browns stadium is just a few blocks west of the R&R museum.
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