Brilliant red leaves brighten an otherwise cold and gray fall landscape.
At the upper end of Bond Falls we found a lovely cascade to use as a backdrop for a selfie.
in the back of the shop, the profits go to local charitable causes and many of the baristas volunteer their time. Coffee in hand, we caught Sheppler's Ferry out to Macinac Island. It was a rainy, cold fall day and we had a rough ride on the ferry boat as it bucked the wind and water sprayed the decks. But despite the foul weather, the captain took us over to see Mackinac Bridge up close and let Lake Michigan’s waves lap the hull for a moment before we turned toward Mackinac Island in Lake Huron. Macinac Island is utterly unique because motorized vehicle travel is prohibited on the island. At first glance, it was a quaint throwback to an earlier era to see the many waiting horses and buggies lined up outside the ferry terminal. But as we walked the streets and watched the endless parade of horses pulling wagons, we realized that we were witnessing the very real experience of carting cargo of all kinds from here to there without the convenience of a car or truck. From lumber to luggage to furniture to sacks of concrete, everything that makes the island hum was hauled by horses. Bicycles are the primary means of transportation for most islanders, and bikes and bicyclists were everywhere. Whether lined up in bike racks along the streets, or lying down in the grass along the sidewalks, or being ridden
by tourists and islanders alike, we saw bicycles by the hundreds. We relied on our own two feet for our explorations and made our way out of the busiest parts of downtown, past the mansions and sprawling guest houses, to some quieter roads along the coast. A canopy of trees arched over the road while the roar of waves wafted to our ears from the shore. This is a beach town and a beach goer's delight, but even on this bitter and blustery day we were enchanted by the beauty. Before long it was time to board the ferry to return to the mainland. As we towed our fifth wheel over the Mackinaw Bridge the next day, our tour of Michigan's U.P. drew to a close. We loved our weeks in this remote land and hope to return someday to experience the dazzling fall colors and windswept Lake Superior shores once again. (Editor’s note: Coast to Coast has a Good Neighbor Park, Tiki RV Park and Campground, in St. Ignace, Michigan)
FOR MORE INFORMATION www.michigan.org/hot-spots/upper-peninsula www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/find-a-forest/hiawatha-national-forest www.mackinacisland.org/
JEWELS ON AN AUTUMN TRIP
COAST TO COAST FALL MAGAZINE 2019
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