July 30, 2025
An option to get to Mackinaw City by bike was to ferry to Mackinac Island and then ferry over to the city. Or, Nancy could bring me over the bridge so I could get back on route. The island looked like an interesting place to visit so I suggested that we both ferry to the island and then return to our campsite and tomorrow ride with Nancy over the bridge.
We booked a ferry to check out Mackinac Island. This thirty minute ride gave us a voyage across the water. Moe was a bit unsure at first, this was only his second ferry ride. His first was in 2022 in the State of Washington.
Touring the island by foot is the only way to get around except by bicycle or horse. Cars are not allowed on this island. It was a wonderful feeling to walk the streets and get the sense of life pre-automobile.
Arched Rock
Back at the campground and ready for bed, tomorrow we pack up and continue our tour down the east shore of Lake Michigan.
July 31, 2025
We leave at noon for St. Ignace and the bridge that will take us to Mackinaw City. I have a campsite reserved at Wilderness State Park, six miles out of the city.
I unload and settle into my site, Nancy drove off to her Campground on Otsego Lake.
Early evening Troy, a bike tourist, rides up to my site. He is also camping here a few sites away. Later I walk to his site and we visit until sunset. He has ridden this area a few times and suggested places to camp and interesting places to visit.
The sunset.
The moon.
August 1, 2025
This morning I was not in a hurry. Good thing. As I was breaking camp and packing up people stopped by to ask about my tour. One at a time I talked extensively about how I started touring, my history cycling, and describing many benefits of seeing the country on back roads at ten miles per hour. I did finally click in to kick off for another day on the road.
I rode by a section of sand dunes that are high enough to block the lake. Back in camp a Park Ranger stopped to see if I was riding through the “sand dunes” and the “tunnel of trees”.
The Sand Dunes
The Tunnel of Trees
Riding through nice small towns.
I rode into Petoskey State Park around 5:00PM. Michigan is one of the States that will guarantee any cyclist riding through a site to camp the night when there is no vacancy. The State saves a sites only for this purpose.
I am now showered, fed, and resting.