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Mankinac island.... #208721 05/18/13 01:07 AM
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AZlightkeeper Offline OP
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Ok, need to go up there the end of July for work and am taking a few days to "play". Any suggestions on must dos? Shepler's west is on the list so far.
Thanks


Jim
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208723 05/18/13 03:57 AM
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Mark Wagner Offline
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I think those Shepplers trips sell out well in advance, I would reserve ASAP

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208726 05/18/13 05:57 PM
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bright eyes Offline
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Jim,

Mackinac Island...what a treat you have to look forward to! And in July/August!

Flying? driving? Will you have a car to use before/after your trip to the island?

How many days do you have to play?

Will cruise pass Round Island lighthouse! Possibly cruise under the bridge. Depends on what boat service you use. Arnold Line, Shepler's, Star Line.

Like Mark says, book a Shepler's lighthouse boat tour...east and west tours. Depending on your days on the island, the boat cruises can go or not go, due to the weather on the lakes. Sheplers will explain what you need to know.

Riding a bike on the island...best way to get around! If you have a bike at home, practice! You will have to dodge alot of horse droppings and people! No cars allowed on island! Plenty of bikes to rent for several time options.

Grand Hotel....a must...

Mackinaw City: climb Old Mackinac Point, and close by McGulpin lighthouse.

Mackinac Bridge....5 miles in length, and if you drive to Sault Ste. Marie (SOO), you will be driving on it.

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 90 miles north.
View the Soo Locks, Whitefish Point. More lighthouses to the west if you have the time.

Clyde's Drive-In....best burgers in St. Ignace, and Sault Ste. Marie.

Highway US 2, (west of St. Ignace)...also know as...Upper Peninsula of Michigan...fantastic drive to view Lake Michigan, sand beaches.

Like t-shirts...you will have plenty to buy! Like Fudge....oh my....

And the best SUNSETS ever...

Yes, I live less than 1 hour away from Mackinac Island...and will need my island fix this summer.

Mary

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208728 05/20/13 11:55 PM
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AZlightkeeper Offline OP
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Mark thanks for the heads up!

Mary, thanks for all the great info!


Jim
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208729 05/21/13 12:42 PM
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mombo Offline
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Jim, I would just get Mary to be your tour guide!

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208731 05/21/13 05:03 PM
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Jim, If you are there over a weekend it is well worth the time and cost to make the trip up to DeTour Reef Light. This is one of the very few off-shore crib lights you can actually visit. Can be quite the adventure. Take the boat out, get harnessed up and then climb up the side of the crib. It is maybe an hour down the road on the north side of the bridge (SE side of the UP). They only do trips on Sundays.

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208734 05/22/13 04:07 PM
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Mark Wagner Offline
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Also Jim, Mcgulipins point lighthouse is just a few minutes west of town and just transferred to a preservation group in 2008, It's free and you can climb the tower too !

http://www.mightymac.org/mcgulpinspointlight.htm

Shepplers east & west cruise descriptions
http://sheplersferry.com/visit/lighthouses/

http://sheplersferry.com/files/2012/12/2013-LHC-Schedule-88963_Schedule.pdf

Another thing I remembered, filed under oddities: in the park around the old Mackinaw point lighthouse there are black squirrels running around

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: Mark Wagner] #208735 05/22/13 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted By: Mark Wagner

Another thing I remembered, filed under oddities: in the park around the old Mackinaw point lighthouse there are black squirrels running around

I've also see black squirrels around Niagara Falls area. Don't see anything but gray ones here on Cape Cod. Bet those black ones are just as annoying though.......


Roland Babineau
The only true Harbour Lights dealer left in the world and the ONLY retailer in the world authorized to sell Harry Hine's lighthouse collectible line!
http://www.thecapecodstore.com/harbor_lights.html
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208748 05/27/13 04:02 PM
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Dave H Offline
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USA Today article about some things to do on Mackinac Island.

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208752 05/29/13 12:36 AM
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AZlightkeeper Offline OP
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Thanks everyone! Should be fun!


Jim
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208800 06/03/13 12:13 AM
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Ok got tickets for east and west lighthouse cruises! Should be fun! First couple nights will probably be the best western. Question is: is it worth spending a night on the island?


Jim
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208801 06/03/13 01:24 PM
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Mark Wagner Offline
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I have never stayed on the island, but since most everyone has to be off the island by the time the last ferry leaves I think they pretty much roll up the sidewalks at night on the island. The ferry trip is about 20 to 30 minutes one way.

Also I always try to use the Arnold Line ferry and take the catamaran, it is a much smoother ride and a little faster to the island.

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208802 06/04/13 11:26 PM
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bright eyes Offline
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The Best Western in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace? If you have a car, free parking is available at each of the ferry services.

Staying a night on the island? Lodging can be very expensive...but there are several beautiful inns/lodging to choose from.

Summertime...the sidewalks do not roll up...the streets need to be washed from the horses!!!! Night views of the Mackinac Bridge, Round Island, Grand Hotel, Mission Point Resort (the lodging for the 2005 Collectors Reunion)... be sure to get pictures of Round Island light from the grounds of Mission Point.
The movie "Somewhere In Time" was filmed on the grounds of the Grand Hotel. There are markers along the bike route that notes where certain scenes were filmed.

Do you have a preference on travel to the island? Check out Arnold Line, Shepler's and Star Line ferry services, discount online tickets could be available. Also, ferry services returns to the mainland every 15-30 minutes...depending on date.

Hope this helps!

Mary

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208803 06/05/13 12:25 AM
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Dave H Offline
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But many of the scenes for "Somewhere in Time" were filmed at Mission Point on the sound stage where you had a number of meals.

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208806 06/05/13 09:51 PM
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MrsTLC Offline
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Just reading about Mankinac Island and Mission Point conjures up so many happy memories of the Harbour Lights Reunion...someone should post the song that was written for our group called "Bald Guys"...it makes me smile just thinking about it...what a fun time and a great group. Jim, you have some really great information here to be able to plan your time out in Michagan...Mary and Dave are extremely schooled on what to do and what to see...Sure would love to see some photos from you after your trip...Enjoy!


Ruthie
"Where words fail, Music speaks"
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208809 06/06/13 10:24 AM
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WackoPaul Offline
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A Bunch O' Crazy Wackos
Copyright 2005 by Wayne Faust
Picklehead Music (BMI)
1-800-PICKLE-9


I was up on Mackinac, there at the Mission Point
Strollin' through the lobby. Checkin' out the joint.
Four hundred folks with name tags were right before my eyes.
I sputtered and I stammered out "Who ARE you guys?"

Chorus
We're a bunch o' crazy Wackos; as you can plainly see.
We buy up every lighthouse - from the company.
When we get together, we laugh and sing and shout!
We act like drunken sailors until the lights go out!

Our women dream of Cockspur Island when they go to sleep.
Our men think of Ram Island when they don't think of sheep.
We can see Round Island out there on the sound.
Last night we drank a bunch o' beer and it was spinnin' round.

Chorus

Our bald guys we are rock stars; they couldn't be fina.
Next week they sing at Bald Head in North Carolina.
And Cape Disappointment in Washington somewhere,
Is where we send those other guys - who have way too much hair.

Chorus

Ken saw Bete Griese - Oooh he loves that name.
Wacko Paul saw Gay Head -- he's never been the same.
How 'bout that girl named Pixie? Boy she's pretty hot!
We picked her up by Beaver Head so we like her a lot.

Chorus

I am just a singer, so I have never knowna.
Single lonely lighthouse in the state of Arizona.
But you folks come from every place. I guess that goes to show.
You can find some Wackos everywhere you go..

Chorus

Thanks for the good time!
Wayne

By permission from Wayne Faust.



Sample of song not our guys singing

2005 Reunion Thread


Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208810 06/07/13 12:25 PM
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TDSimpson Offline
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When we go to the U.P. we always stay in St. Ignace because there is lots less traffic and it is way more peaceful. From there we would branch out to different places for our one day trips. Love the drive from St. Ignace to the Soo and then along the lake to Whitefish Point.

Tom

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208811 06/07/13 01:11 PM
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bright eyes Offline
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McGulpin Point lighthouse and Historic Site, 500 Headlands Dr., Mackinaw City, MI
Open 10 am - 8 pm daily. Free. 231-436-5860.
Climb the tower and on a clear day, Mackinac Bridge can be seen! :)

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208821 06/11/13 12:52 AM
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bright eyes Offline
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Icebeaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
131 South Huron Ave.
Mackinaw City, MI

www.themackinaw.org

Located between the Village Marina and Conkling Heritage Park....close to Shelper's Ferry Dock.

Tours available!

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208822 06/11/13 11:11 PM
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Dave H Offline
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When you are visiting the Old Mackinac Point Light, leave enough time to visit the GLLKA office just across the street at 707 Huron St.

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208869 07/09/13 01:05 AM
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AZlightkeeper Offline OP
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Ok two weeks from tomorrow! Full agenda
1. Two cruises and a stop at GLLKA
2. Point Iroquois Light and McGulpin light
3. The mackinaw and old mackinac lighthouse.
4. One day on the island.
Flying into flint and driving up. Nice 3 hour drive. Thanks for all the insights!


Jim
Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208870 07/09/13 01:53 AM
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Dave H Offline
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Well, you will pass reasonably close to several other lights on the drive up if you take the coast route. Check out the lighthousefriends map. Tawas, Sturgeon Point, Alpena, Presque Isle (2 plus range), Forty Mile Point, the lights in Cheboygan (those you will see on the cruise). Several of these lights are quite close to the coast road, US23

when you are back we will look forward to you sharing your trip, hopefully, with lots of pictures.

Re: Mankinac island.... [Re: AZlightkeeper] #208874 07/13/13 08:27 PM
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TDSimpson Offline
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We also stayed a night in the crew's quarters at Whitefish Point. I would highly recommend this to anyone going to the UP for a visit. Very reasonable and it also includes admission to the Shipwreck Museum.


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