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Author Topic:   Mackinaw Island--Horse Poop and Fudge

uncle bob posted 06-27-2009 12:29 PM ET (US)
[This topic seemed to be unrelentingly invading my discussion about Manitoulin Island and the North Channel. Even after the least subtle hints that it should not take over the other discussion, it was well on its way to doing just that. I started this thread so everyone who wants to talk about Mackinac Island could do so.--jimh]
Ya'll ever think about stopping off at mackinac islan

ConB posted 07-01-2009 12:06 PM ET (US)
As to Mackinac Island, the smell of horse poop and fudge is hard to describe.
PeteB88 posted 07-03-2009 10:31 AM ET (US)
We just spent most of a week on Mackinaw Island, do it just about every year. Skpper Ellen has an annual conference in June. I go. It's a cool place but rocky all the way around and no beaches. One guy on St Ignace side has a presmirked Whaler he moors off shore (has downriggers) and goes back and forth by dingy.
I checked the DNR State marina. As I recall for 20 ft and under it's $10/day or $27/night. So what can you do? Walk around, ride a bike, rent a buggy, ride a horse drawn wagon tour, check out the fort, spend $6 or whatever to walk around on the Grand Hotel porch, get a whitefish dinner, cocktails. IF you are an aggressive MTB rider there are great trails all over the island and some topo for fun rides and challenging up and down hills.
There are some cool hotels - we like Harbor Inn (great value compared to Grand) and Mission Point. There's fudge.
You guys know this stuff better than I do but Mack I seems best for a day trip and a lot of money for the rest. I saw several Whalers and one trolling with red lettering on side (Montauk) a few times when we were there two weeks ago.
My pal Chad grew up in Cedarville. His dad lives on the water w/ cool boat house and Chris Craft. He has an 11.5 and works for popular marine supply in Lansing. He knows every boat and skipper in the area.
What about Bois Blanc Island? My buddy and wife honeymooned there some years back and liked it very much. He's a serious sportsman.
There must be a cool tour that can be put together - including a stop in St Ignace to see Manley's Smoked Fish. Oh ya.
Keep us posted.
David Pendleton posted 07-03-2009 10:40 PM ET (US)
I watched a television program about Mackinac Island on the travel channel once.
I didn't see anything that would make we want to visit there.
home Aside posted 07-04-2009 12:15 AM ET (US)
Mackinac Island is a quaint & Unique place, fun to visit, lots of history, good restaurants/hotels, that being said you can probably do all there is to do there in 2-3 days. as far as boating goes it does not have a huge amount of dockage specifically designed for smaller boats such as Boston Whalers, you usually see larger sailboats, cruisers there, and mooring buoys
I remember the first time I met Buckda, we went over there early in the season before the Harbormaster had even opened the docks, Buckda was on his 15' Sport & I was on my Montauk, luckily they had ladders on the docks, or it would have been kind of like climbing a tall scaffolding to get up on the dock, and luckily at that time of year the dock space wasn't fully occupied by larger cruisers.
Definetly not a place that would accomodate the type of trips the BWGLCC likes to do for a week at a time.
Pat
jimh posted 07-04-2009 09:00 AM ET (US)
As a destination, Mackinac Island is not much of a challenge. You can drop your boat in at the ramp at St. Ignace, and it is only about 4-miles to Mackinac Island.
The ferry boats enter the harbor with speed and throw substantial wakes. If you are on a mooring you get to bounce all day. The last ferry runs about 9 p.m. and then the wave action in the harbor finally quiets down. If you are at the dock it is about the same. Wakes from the ferries roll in all day. The harbor is somewhat unprotected from the east, and if there was a big blow from the east I would not want to be there.
Once you get there and go ashore, you can join the other 10,000 people who have visited that day.
MarthaB posted 07-04-2009 10:21 AM ET (US)
Best time of day at Mackinacw Island is after the last ferry to the mainland and before the first ferry arrives in the morning. Peaceful.
Jim - WiFi is working.
PeteB88 posted 07-04-2009 10:46 AM ET (US)
I was there a couple weeks ago - asked about small boat docking in marina. Seems like they park them next to the seawall. Which brings to mind - very little proper dock facilities for smaller boats in many places in Michigan especially here in our new community - Grand Haven, Spring Lake - West Mich.
ConB posted 07-05-2009 06:14 PM ET (US)
Mackinac Island is also historic in that is where the term "fudgie" was first used by then Governor Milliken's wife Helen in 1971. (haven't had a decent governor since Milliken)
Lots of fudge is sold to the Island visitors.
We use the word "fudgie" where we used to use the term tourist or resorter.
With the very sour economy we try not to use the word fudgie as a derogatory word because tourism is one of the few things Michigan still has going for it any more.
Con
jimh posted 07-05-2009 10:11 PM ET (US)
Mackinac Island is fun if you are in the harbor early and you hear Reveille being played at the fort as the flag is raised. Then again at night at sunset, which in the summer is very late, about 9:30 p.m., it is fun to hear Taps played. Both of these occur either before the ferries are running or after they are done for the day. So you can sit in the harbor without getting rocked badly from the ferry wakes. In between, the ferries are running so sitting on the boat all day is not so fun. Going ashore is fun, but after you have done it once or twice it is not exactly something you have a burning desire to repeat every summer.
I was there a long time ago and I think the bugler playing Reveille and Taps was an actual person playing the Trumpet or Coronet. We were there a few years ago and the bugle sounded like a recording, and not a particularly good one at that.
dfmcintyre posted 07-06-2009 03:41 PM ET (US)
With a little weather luck, the trip I outlined in the North Channel post will allow us to detour and spend a night at the island, Sunday evening at the yacht club. Provided the Port Huron to Mac racers have light winds.
mateobosch posted 07-07-2009 11:01 AM ET (US)
I flew into the island a few weeks ago and had a blast. I can see how about a day or two is enough there though. Last summer I also took my Whaler to the island for a few hours to say hi to a friend on my way back from Lake Nipigon.
Overall a good place to visit with family or a girlfriend. There are some very nice hotels and rooms available but don't forget your Visa.
uncle bob posted 07-07-2009 04:18 PM ET (US)
I don't live in the north country, I get up to the island afew times a year (be there for the port huron race) i'm a powerboat kinda guy myself although sailing is great too if you got all day. sounded yall go by it from timt to time the offer still stands we could meet @ the pony, mustang,millies,VI, horns for afew beers there is a lot of great riding & foot trails thanks for the input I'll like to do some boating in the area (not this summer) beach camping, & those other outer islands up there cedarville & the like
bobfla
jimh posted 07-12-2009 01:52 PM ET (US)
Bob--Our visits to Mackinac Island may not coincide. Perhaps you could leave a tab running at the Pink Pony and we can put our drinks on it the next time we are there. How does that sound?
Buckda posted 07-13-2009 12:45 PM ET (US)

quote:
...the smell of horse poop and fudge is hard to describe
Too funny. I had to replace a fuel fill hose on my Outrage this past week (Whole other story there...), and the part was only available at Shepler's Ship Store in Mackinaw City.
We were in Hessel, so we figured why drive when you can boat? We took my 18' Outrage and Home Aside's 22' Revenge down to Mackinaw City, stopping in Mackinac Island harbor on the way there for a respite from the big lake crossing. That particular smell is indeed, difficult to describe.
I suggest doing what the British did and "land" on the far side of the island; then go ashore to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the uninhabited portions of the island.
AtoZ posted 07-15-2009 10:02 PM ET (US)
Moose and I will have out boats in Cedarville starting July 25th for a week. We should see the boats coming up from Port Huron in the Mac race.
Anyone else be in the area?
dfmcintyre posted 07-16-2009 10:06 PM ET (US)
Gail and I plan on being at the island on Sunday, the 26th. Will be leaving on Monday for Spanish.
Don
AtoZ posted 07-17-2009 01:25 PM ET (US)
Don,
Will you have your boat at the island or are to on the ferry?
Terry
dfmcintyre posted 07-17-2009 02:56 PM ET (US)
Terry -
All depends on weather and dockage availability. I'm not swinging on a hook overnight.
uncle bob posted 07-21-2009 06:15 PM ET (US)
jim sounds good you like oberman....
the british are rt kinda... you should ch out up the hill at Stonecliff way back by the airport quiet. they got got some houses & a few condo's to rent... that what what we do but you gotta likeit.
the boats could be coming in by sat - sunday or even monday drop me a line & i'll meet ya some where uncle bob

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Author	Topic: Mackinaw Island--Horse Poop and Fudge
uncle bob	posted 06-27-2009 12:29 PM ET (US) [This topic seemed to be unrelentingly invading my discussion about Manitoulin Island and the North Channel. Even after the least subtle hints that it should not take over the other discussion, it was well on its way to doing just that. I started this thread so everyone who wants to talk about Mackinac Island could do so.--jimh] Ya'll ever think about stopping off at mackinac islan
ConB	posted 07-01-2009 12:06 PM ET (US) As to Mackinac Island, the smell of horse poop and fudge is hard to describe.
PeteB88	posted 07-03-2009 10:31 AM ET (US) We just spent most of a week on Mackinaw Island, do it just about every year. Skpper Ellen has an annual conference in June. I go. It's a cool place but rocky all the way around and no beaches. One guy on St Ignace side has a presmirked Whaler he moors off shore (has downriggers) and goes back and forth by dingy. I checked the DNR State marina. As I recall for 20 ft and under it's $10/day or $27/night. So what can you do? Walk around, ride a bike, rent a buggy, ride a horse drawn wagon tour, check out the fort, spend $6 or whatever to walk around on the Grand Hotel porch, get a whitefish dinner, cocktails. IF you are an aggressive MTB rider there are great trails all over the island and some topo for fun rides and challenging up and down hills. There are some cool hotels - we like Harbor Inn (great value compared to Grand) and Mission Point. There's fudge. You guys know this stuff better than I do but Mack I seems best for a day trip and a lot of money for the rest. I saw several Whalers and one trolling with red lettering on side (Montauk) a few times when we were there two weeks ago. My pal Chad grew up in Cedarville. His dad lives on the water w/ cool boat house and Chris Craft. He has an 11.5 and works for popular marine supply in Lansing. He knows every boat and skipper in the area. What about Bois Blanc Island? My buddy and wife honeymooned there some years back and liked it very much. He's a serious sportsman. There must be a cool tour that can be put together - including a stop in St Ignace to see Manley's Smoked Fish. Oh ya. Keep us posted.
David Pendleton	posted 07-03-2009 10:40 PM ET (US) I watched a television program about Mackinac Island on the travel channel once. I didn't see anything that would make we want to visit there.
home Aside	posted 07-04-2009 12:15 AM ET (US) Mackinac Island is a quaint & Unique place, fun to visit, lots of history, good restaurants/hotels, that being said you can probably do all there is to do there in 2-3 days. as far as boating goes it does not have a huge amount of dockage specifically designed for smaller boats such as Boston Whalers, you usually see larger sailboats, cruisers there, and mooring buoys I remember the first time I met Buckda, we went over there early in the season before the Harbormaster had even opened the docks, Buckda was on his 15' Sport & I was on my Montauk, luckily they had ladders on the docks, or it would have been kind of like climbing a tall scaffolding to get up on the dock, and luckily at that time of year the dock space wasn't fully occupied by larger cruisers. Definetly not a place that would accomodate the type of trips the BWGLCC likes to do for a week at a time. Pat
jimh	posted 07-04-2009 09:00 AM ET (US) As a destination, Mackinac Island is not much of a challenge. You can drop your boat in at the ramp at St. Ignace, and it is only about 4-miles to Mackinac Island. The ferry boats enter the harbor with speed and throw substantial wakes. If you are on a mooring you get to bounce all day. The last ferry runs about 9 p.m. and then the wave action in the harbor finally quiets down. If you are at the dock it is about the same. Wakes from the ferries roll in all day. The harbor is somewhat unprotected from the east, and if there was a big blow from the east I would not want to be there. Once you get there and go ashore, you can join the other 10,000 people who have visited that day.
MarthaB	posted 07-04-2009 10:21 AM ET (US) Best time of day at Mackinacw Island is after the last ferry to the mainland and before the first ferry arrives in the morning. Peaceful. Jim - WiFi is working.
PeteB88	posted 07-04-2009 10:46 AM ET (US) I was there a couple weeks ago - asked about small boat docking in marina. Seems like they park them next to the seawall. Which brings to mind - very little proper dock facilities for smaller boats in many places in Michigan especially here in our new community - Grand Haven, Spring Lake - West Mich.
ConB	posted 07-05-2009 06:14 PM ET (US) Mackinac Island is also historic in that is where the term "fudgie" was first used by then Governor Milliken's wife Helen in 1971. (haven't had a decent governor since Milliken) Lots of fudge is sold to the Island visitors. We use the word "fudgie" where we used to use the term tourist or resorter. With the very sour economy we try not to use the word fudgie as a derogatory word because tourism is one of the few things Michigan still has going for it any more. Con
jimh	posted 07-05-2009 10:11 PM ET (US) Mackinac Island is fun if you are in the harbor early and you hear Reveille being played at the fort as the flag is raised. Then again at night at sunset, which in the summer is very late, about 9:30 p.m., it is fun to hear Taps played. Both of these occur either before the ferries are running or after they are done for the day. So you can sit in the harbor without getting rocked badly from the ferry wakes. In between, the ferries are running so sitting on the boat all day is not so fun. Going ashore is fun, but after you have done it once or twice it is not exactly something you have a burning desire to repeat every summer. I was there a long time ago and I think the bugler playing Reveille and Taps was an actual person playing the Trumpet or Coronet. We were there a few years ago and the bugle sounded like a recording, and not a particularly good one at that.
dfmcintyre	posted 07-06-2009 03:41 PM ET (US) With a little weather luck, the trip I outlined in the North Channel post will allow us to detour and spend a night at the island, Sunday evening at the yacht club. Provided the Port Huron to Mac racers have light winds.
mateobosch	posted 07-07-2009 11:01 AM ET (US) I flew into the island a few weeks ago and had a blast. I can see how about a day or two is enough there though. Last summer I also took my Whaler to the island for a few hours to say hi to a friend on my way back from Lake Nipigon. Overall a good place to visit with family or a girlfriend. There are some very nice hotels and rooms available but don't forget your Visa.
uncle bob	posted 07-07-2009 04:18 PM ET (US) I don't live in the north country, I get up to the island afew times a year (be there for the port huron race) i'm a powerboat kinda guy myself although sailing is great too if you got all day. sounded yall go by it from timt to time the offer still stands we could meet @ the pony, mustang,millies,VI, horns for afew beers there is a lot of great riding & foot trails thanks for the input I'll like to do some boating in the area (not this summer) beach camping, & those other outer islands up there cedarville & the like bobfla
jimh	posted 07-12-2009 01:52 PM ET (US) Bob--Our visits to Mackinac Island may not coincide. Perhaps you could leave a tab running at the Pink Pony and we can put our drinks on it the next time we are there. How does that sound?
Buckda	posted 07-13-2009 12:45 PM ET (US) quote: ...the smell of horse poop and fudge is hard to describe Too funny. I had to replace a fuel fill hose on my Outrage this past week (Whole other story there...), and the part was only available at Shepler's Ship Store in Mackinaw City. We were in Hessel, so we figured why drive when you can boat? We took my 18' Outrage and Home Aside's 22' Revenge down to Mackinaw City, stopping in Mackinac Island harbor on the way there for a respite from the big lake crossing. That particular smell is indeed, difficult to describe. I suggest doing what the British did and "land" on the far side of the island; then go ashore to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the uninhabited portions of the island.
AtoZ	posted 07-15-2009 10:02 PM ET (US) Moose and I will have out boats in Cedarville starting July 25th for a week. We should see the boats coming up from Port Huron in the Mac race. Anyone else be in the area?
dfmcintyre	posted 07-16-2009 10:06 PM ET (US) Gail and I plan on being at the island on Sunday, the 26th. Will be leaving on Monday for Spanish. Don
AtoZ	posted 07-17-2009 01:25 PM ET (US) Don, Will you have your boat at the island or are to on the ferry? Terry
dfmcintyre	posted 07-17-2009 02:56 PM ET (US) Terry - All depends on weather and dockage availability. I'm not swinging on a hook overnight.
uncle bob	posted 07-21-2009 06:15 PM ET (US) jim sounds good you like oberman.... the british are rt kinda... you should ch out up the hill at Stonecliff way back by the airport quiet. they got got some houses & a few condo's to rent... that what what we do but you gotta likeit. the boats could be coming in by sat - sunday or even monday drop me a line & i'll meet ya some where uncle bob