Great Loop Day 020 Sept 17, 2016, Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Straits State Harbor layover
Mackinaw City, Michigan
“Where I come from your truck is a reflection of who you are.” ~ Jase Robertson.
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Day 20 Saturday. Sept 17, 2016. Rest Day. I left the marina on Mackinac Island yesterday afternoon and had a bumpy ride over to Mackinac Straights Safe Harbor for the night.
Finding the entrance to the marina was a challenge. I haven’t figured out how to plot a course on the Lowrance Hook 4 chart plotter. Kinda like flying under the Visual Flight Rules versus the Instrument Flight Rules aircraft pilots use. At the very least I can stop the boat to get my bearings or a sandwich without falling out of the sky. A small sign on a concrete wall welcomed me to the right marina and all was well. Megan, Robbie, and Jena greeted me at the marina office and appeared glad they had something to do as the marina being late in the sailing season was all but empty.
View of the Mackinac Bridge over to St Ignace on the Upper Penisula of Michigan from Mackinaw City.
Laundry done, paid my bills online, and shopped for groceries. Mickey is doing fine. Glad to be out of the turbulent maelstrom of Mackinac Island Marina. He got his can of tuna and has plenty of fresh kitty litter, water, and dry food in his bowl. Time to relax and pay a visit to the Mackinaw Crossing Shops. Eateries are everywhere. People in throngs (not thongs, silly) are walking the streets all day and well into the evening darkness. Something big is about to happen tonight.
How can anyone doubt those hot dogs look… well, as the sign says, Wienerlicious?
Sat down earlier at a local eatery with a local sailor, Jim W stopped by and we had a nice chat. He's been solo sailing in these waters since Aug 15 and will be till October. And his wife who stays home lets him! He mostly enjoys anchoring out in the bays and believe me, knows these waters well.
Then Paul and his wife stopped by. They reside in Vermilion but spend their summers here on his sailboat. For a deserted marina, I had lots of sailing buddies for company. I just finished my hot shower now getting the boat ready for a long voyage out on Lake Michigan. I haven't put away my laundry yet. But I'm gassed up and ready to go early in am.
Gosh, need a rest day from a rest day. Walked another 4- 5 miles. Live music at the Crossing all evening. The marina was the only respite from the throngs of people. Have yet to fully recover from Mackinac Island's tour yesterday.
Now, how can I miss the biggest lighted truck parade in the world? These brightly lit-up trucks are scheduled to travel from St Ignace, going south over the Mackinac Bridge through the streets of Mackinaw City.
What timing! Many are lining up on the side of the streets getting a good seat for the Mackinac Bridge Truck Parade of Lights that's coming just before dark. I still have time for more shopping for souvenirs and a bite to eat.
“No matter how tough of a trucker you are. If a kid does the arm pump, you honk the air horn.” -Anon
I got a good seat on the curb with a bunch of families and their kids. For the moment you hear silence then the squealing and shouting from the small children as they spot the trucks coming down the street. Everyone having a hoot getting the truck drivers to blow their air horns when the kids gave them the arm signal. Every kind of long haul, short haul delivery truck you can think of, all lit up in lights like a Christmas Tree. The smell of truck diesel permeates the air and to these folks that means making a living and bringing home the bacon.
My ears are going to be ringing well into the morning. It's been well over an hour and no sign of the trucks coming to an end. It's been fun kids, but I gotta get some rest for the early launch. Fair winds, gentle seas, and Oh yea…
Keep on Trucking!