The Sunday wind forecast wasn't stellar so I was a bit concerned as to what we might find Sunday morning.

Turned out not to be a problem as we left Mackinac Island on a glassy calm harbor.

Kathy stowed the lines as we moved away from the marina.

Looks like the 7 mile run across the Straits is going to be a nice ride as we pass the channel light and meet the first Arnold Line ferry of the morning.

We returned to the same slip at Straits Harbor in Mackinaw City where we tied up for the week so we can prep for the North Channel trip.

Straits harbor is very Eco-friendly.  I believe the entire facility runs off these wind turbines,

Anyway, we got into our slip just as the promised winds began to build.  We were glad we made the effort to get going early.  A couple hours later and it would have been a different kind of crossing.

So time to unpack and clean up from the week.  Kathy found it necessary to sanitize the bicycles after riding among the road apples on Mackinac Island.

We took a walk down to the park to get the obligatory photo of the bridge.

On the walk back to the marina, I heard music coming from what I figured was the Mackinaw Crossing stage.  I said, the trip would be complete if only "Toast & Jam" was performing.  We walked into the Crossing and son of a gun...

TOAST & JAM!

They performed there almost every week two years ago.  I don't think we ever saw them last year.  He plays guitar and sings.  She provides a bit of background vocal and either a tambourine or a percussion device kind of like a New Year's Eve noise maker.  They're OK to listen to and play what I'd call soft classic rock...Eagles, Seger, etc.

Currently back at the ranch prepping for the Canadian North Channel.  I'll post during that trip as I can.  Internet access may be quite limited, eh?

It's been a nice string of days here at Mackinac Island.

This morning started out calm, clear and quiet.  

It wasn't until noon that I realized the 100' ship docked at the Arnold dock was missing.

Mornings like this are just scenic anywhere you look.

It would have been nice to have the dinghy along to go fishing a couple times.  I'll do that next week.

Today's fun was biking.  I had to wait for the marina staff to show up for work about 8:30 am so we could arrange to stay another day, then we hopped on the bikes and did a lap.

That's my usual view of Kathy during our rides.  My view is always from anywhere between a foot and a mile behind her.  She seems to think the ride is some kind of time trial.  I finish the 8 mile loop in something under an hour so I don't think my pace is exceedingly slow.

It's a "senior" pace.

So that's a wrap on another Mackinac Island stay.  

As the sun sets over Fort Mackinac...

I celebrate with a bit of good cheer (because my butt isn't going to have to sit on that bicycle "seat" again for a while).

We leave in the morning to get back to Mackinaw City.

One week to the North Channel trip...weather permitting.

Just another day in paradise.

Day 3 of island life began sunny and calm.  The Michigan Maritime Academy ship moved into port Thursday night.

There's no vehicles on the island, but they get close.

Funny thing was, the lead semi had its headlights on.  It really is quite a task moving all the freight to the island.  It's an all day, every day event for the people that handle that stuff.

Kathy started the day up at one of the marina tables watching the harbor wake up.  That occurs a couple hours after she begins her day.

Our view from the boat is the Island House Hotel...and the marina dog run.  Watching that activity every morning just reinforces my desire to avoid owning a pet I have to tend to every day.

So Friday's activity was a stroll up to the west bluff and the Grand Hotel.

The hike begins climbing the hill between the Governor's residence and the Grand golf course.

We pass behind the Grand and out onto the west bluff road.

These folks have an impressive view of the Straits of Mackinac.

No question that it's the million dollar view or in this case multi-million.

We continue along the west bluff road.

That oddly enough, becomes the porch of the Grand Hotel where we make ourselves at home...

enjoy the view...

and take in the Grand's lobby.

From there, we strolled through town on our way back to the boat.

It's now Saturday morning and we've been able to extend our dockage another day.

It all looks promising

Time to saddle up for another lap of the island.

Here we are in the middle of the Mackinac melee 2016.  Been here a couple days with a couple left to go.

We arrived in the north land on Tuesday looking at a forecast that was going from so-so to nasty to "OMG the boat is going under!"

With that, we decided to move the boat from our storage marina in Cheboygan to Straits State Harbor in Mackinaw City.

Out of the Cheboygan river I went while Kathy shuttled the minivan to Mackinaw City,

Into a choppy Lake Huron for the 12 miles to Mackinaw City.

I stuffed the bow into a couple waves and rinsed off the deck of the boat, but the farther north I moved, the better the ride became...but not much.

Eventually, I found my way to Straits Harbor where we spent the night.

Thursday morning and storms are brewing to the SW.

The flag over the city marina indicates a bit of a "breeze".

Doesn't look like a good day to cross the straits to the island.

Oh...BTW the crappy midge flies are STILL an issue here and peppered the boat deck.

That was the incentive we needed to flee the city for the island.

There was a bit of a calm before the storm so we took advantage and scooted across the straits and were assigned slip #4 at Mackinac Island State Harbor.

It's a good location on the east shore directly opposite the Island House Hotel and a bit removed from the noise and commotion found at the slips on the west shore closer to downtown.

That would be a wrap on the activities of the day with the exception of a stroll through main street in the evening after the all day rain had cleared.

Island day #2 and Kathy's in full "island mode".

It's still a little cool and overcast but a perfect ??? time for a hike. Just figures, there are stairs involved.

and stairs, and stairs, and...

Finally...the east bluff appears.

With its row of well tended "cottages".

They have a nice view over the city.  I can even see my boat at the left edge of the frame.

700mm later over the roof of the Island House Hotel.

The hike continues and we find a new route to Arch Rock.  The Manitou Trail.  Sounds harmless enough.

It began as a stroll through the cedars.

Then became more of a challenge.

Roots, rocks, etc.  The paved road was 50 yards away, but NOOOO, that's the route for wimps.  We're going to make this a test of endurance and agility.

I will say, there were a few scenic spots along the path.

And Kathy, the stylish one on the trail, sporting her Vera Bradley accessories.

Wouldn't want to be in a condition to stagger along this trail.  This view is actually looking down about 90° straight over a ledge.

A few places in the trail were "shored" up with a log and a couple pieces of conduit.  That looked sturdy enough after a day of soaking downpours.

Soon we found our way to Arch Rock.

And the lookout platform there.

We took the stairs DOWN to the shoreline for the walk back to the marina.

On the way down, I heard one father tell his little girl, "we're almost there" while climbing the 2nd of at least a dozen flights of stairs.  LIAR!  She'll never believe him again.

Back at the boat, it was a few minutes to relax and recover.  Kathy picked up a needle and thread.

The weather had cleared by this time and the winds died.

What a difference a day makes.

Sun, calm and warm.  A day ago, we were wearing coats and still cold.

That's Michigan and especially the UP.

With the siesta in the books, we took a spin through some of the shops in town.

With the shopping urge satisfied, time for another "activity".

How about a ride around the island?  Thanks, but...well, OK if I must.

Eight miles on the odometer and time to enjoy the evening on the boat.

And so it goes.

Two more days here and the forecast is as good or better.