We both had a not great night's sleep last night, so we had decided to forgo the provided continental breakfast and go back to the restaurant we were so pleased with last night - Darrow's - for breakfast. I had read that today was going to be an antique tractor ride over the Mackinaw bridge, and we encountered some of the MANY tractors on our way to get grub. Darrow's was a great choice again. It's such a cute back in time diner that does homemade well. For instance I ordered French toast and it came with 3 syrups, 2 of them homemade and absolutely delicious! The strawberry was my favorite but they also made blueberry. I mentioned to the cashier how good they were and she said their pie maker also makes these syrups. This person is such an asset to this diner!
It was much prettier today than it was yesterday, but still quite windy.
We went to trade in our tickets for the new ferry line that bought out the one we had gotten tickets to, so that is all good to go for tomorrow. We even found the parking!
We had intended to do nothing today, but we discovered that the McGulpin Point Lighthouse was right nearby so we decided to go there. It was a nice lighthouse - similar to the one we saw yesterday but not quite as large and no longer in use. But very interesting to explore.
You can just barely see the bridge behind us.
Climbing the stairs to the light was one thing. Climbing THRU the small door at the bottom was yet another. I didn't take a pic (darnit) because I was so thoroughly entertained by watching the others who were up there doing the various contortions it took to get thru. Then it was our turn... NOT pretty and certainly NOT easy. I did take some tips from successful moves of those before me though.
There was a short trail to the shore and a big rock that was often a measure of how high the water was. In years past it was most often underwater. Now, with the climate changes happening it is mostly exposed. I met a very kind and friendly woman named Suzanne Allen. She lives in Traverse City and is actually a tourism ambassador for the area. She and her family gave us lots of tips on our yet to come visit there and she even offered her phone number in case I needed anything while there. I told her we have friends there so I appreciated it but didn't need that, but her parting words were I'm in the book - you can look me up! Excuse my lovely look - I told you it was super windy and cold ... brrrrrr.
On our way back to the hotel we were looking for a post office box to drop some birthday cards in and happened upon some small parks. We got a great look at the bridge - even seeing a freighter approaching it..
Us - bundled up!
Our first long distance view of the island. The white blob in the middle is the Grand Hotel.
We ended our evening with pizza at Mamma Mia's which has a pretty impressive collection of all things Mackinaw Bridge. Back at our hotel we saw the bridge all lit up and the fire pit going on the beach.
Tomorrow - Mackinac Island!
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