September 1, 2017 Friday
An early morning trip to the post office to mail postcards and we were ready to leave our turbulent Mackinac Island moorage for the calmer waters at Straits State Harbor Marina at Mackinaw City, MI. Wait, which is it Mackinaw or Mackinac? The Natives of this area, the area of Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, St. Ignace and the Straits of Mackinac, called the land Michinni-makinong, when the French arrived around 1715 they called it Michilimackinac, ending in “ac” but pronounced as “aw,” the name was shortened to Mackinac in 1780. Establishing a city in 1857 the British, hearing the “aw” named the new city Mackinaw. Either way, Mackinaw or Mackinac, they are both pronounced with the “aw.”
This has been by far, our shortest day on the water, only seven miles. We are in calm water, at a less expensive, although better, marina. We will spend Labor Day weekend here and if weather permits enter Lake Michigan on Tuesday.
According to the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, this area has routinely been rated the #1 tourist destination in Michigan, that comes as a surprise to us so it will be interesting to check it out, we are looking forward exploring the area.
