The second segment was two days on Mackinac Island.
We wanted to stay at the Chippewa Hotel, but could not get a room for the
first night, because of hundreds of sailboats which arrived at the Island
the day before from Bayview Mackinac Race, after racing the length of Lake
Huron in 2-3 days. So we stayed at Mission Point Resort, which was
originally built by Moral Re-Armament (MRA) from 1942-1965. It later became
Mackinac College and was briefly owned and operated by the Cathedral of
Tomorrow and Rex Humbard. Today it a resort, which recently changed hands
and will see a lot of improvement in the next couple of years.
We had a nice two room suite, but a view of only a rock
face just a few feet from the windows.
The trip was timed to let us be on the Island on a Wednesday
morning, the only day that tours of the Michigan Governor's Summer Residence
are permitted.
I took about 2,000 photos during our time on the Island.
Boats from the Bayview Mackinac Race and Round Island Passage Light
& Round Island Lighthouse
(Prints
of this photo)
Michigan Governor's Summer Residence
Sugar Loaf
Historic Mission Church is Michigan's oldest surviving church
building
Mission Point Resort in the morning.
The third segment of the trip was three days in my hometown,
Mackinaw City. We had a small cottage on the Straits of Mackinac with a
nice beach and beautiful view. The trip was timed to coincide with an all
1970s MCHS reunion. There were 9 people total from my class, which was
pretty good, considering we had only 22 graduates in the class and four
have passed away.
Mackinaw City High School Class of 1972
Clem Valot, Keith Stokes, Bridget (Paquet) Parker, Frank Ranville,
Gennie (Grondin) Morgan, David Duncan,
Lealani Preseau, David Provost
We took two days for the drive back to Kansas, with stops
at the Cut River Bridge and Garlyn Zoo in the Upper Peninsula.
After we crossed into Wisconsin, Linda was looking at
the map discovered that a detour to the Wisconsin Dells would only
add a couple of hours drive time. She had visited the Dells about 20 years
ago and 40 years ago and had fond memories. I had never been there.
Linda took over the driving and as we drove south past
Green Bay I got on the smart phone and put together a quick visit. Sunday
evening we did a "Duck" tour which took us through beautiful woodlands
and down the Wisconsin River. Monday morning we toured Lost Canyon
by Horse & Wagon. It is a beautiful narrow, slot canyon. Between the
two tours and driving we saw many turkeys and deer.
Lost Canyon Tours
The last stops were in Iowa for meals, to photograph a
Madison County covered bridge, and to pick up meats from the Amana Colonies
& other food from the Amish Country Store.
