July 14, 2014 (84th Day) It's Erwin's birthday!!!

Nice morning we woke up to. In low 60˚

"Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday, dear Erwin
Happy Birthday to You"

Erwin was feeling great although turning a year older than he was last year, but was eager to go to Mackinac Island.

Light breakfast.  We did not want to drive our van to the ferry dock, so we had KOA office call in for free shuttle service. We brought our bicycles along.  The driver had a hard time trying to figure out how to store Erwin's bike in the rear, could not put it in there. 

Transported us to St. Ignace Main Dock/Star Ferry. The driver gave us dining recommendation on where to dine on Mackinac Island, gave us two names.  Paid $68 for round trip for two adults.  The ferry was about ready to leave the dock, but the guy on the dock told the captain to hold it and waited for us to finish the transaction.  We boarded on the 9 a.m. boat and the boat took off immediately.  A nice ride

Leaving the dock for Mackinac Island

The boat had a huge jet of water streaming back behind the boat for maybe 150 feet. I asked why they had that and the captain said "The little kids always yell to their parents, I WANT THAT BOAT!"
 It seems to work, we were on it!

It took 20 mins to get to the island.  On the way we saw two lighthouses: Round Island Lighthouse and Strait Lighthouse... Lots of sailboats at the marina.  

After disembarking we walked our bicycles to the town (too crowded to ride). Wow, so many more bicycles than we have ever seen. Driving a car is banned on Mackinac Island. The island is a very popular tourist attraction. 

There are so many restaurants, hotels, bed&breakfast inns and, of course, many FUDGE shops... We started biking just before we entered the state park boundary line.

Near Arch Rock stop the beach was covered with lots of rocks.  Know what that means???  Erwin building a rock cairn, of course!  There were hundreds and hundreds of rock cairns built by other people. Water was so blue and green and very clear.

Our first stop was to visit Arch Rock.  On our way up the steps a little girl appeared to be lost and was without any adult. Erwin stopped and asked her where her parents were, she shrugged and continued down the steps. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Much to our relief, her brother came up and called out her name, then ran after her. 

We pulled off at some spots along the way.  

This is the bridge between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City

Devil's Kitchen

Arrived at the town, parked bikes, went to Horn's Bar & Restaurant for lunch (per ferry shuttle service driver's recommendation).  Edith got Supreme Nachos half size and Erwin got Sliders ( 3 mini hamburgers) and french fries.  Delicious meals...

After lunch we walked up and down the busy street.  It felt like we were in a can of sardines!  Erwin wanted ice cream for his birthday. Cherry Vanilla.

Bike parking!

Before boarding the ferry back to St. Ignace Edith insisted on getting a pound of homemade Rocky Mountain fudge.

The ride back to St. Ignace was very pleasant.  The shuttle service was waiting there to take us back to KOA campground where we left the camper van.  

We decided at the last minute to go to Paradise, MI and spend the night there because we wanted to visit Whitefish Point Lighthouse and Shipwreck Museum the next morning, so we got US 2 east, then north on I-75 to exit for MI-123

We got a campsite at Tahquamenon Falls State Park near Paradise, MI. We spent the night looking over the map, discussing routes to Canada after visiting the lighthouse.