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  DAY 94    July 19 We are officially in "slow down" mode. We will spend a couple more day/nights here in Petosky. Sorry, no pictures of grocery shopping or laundry.  Yes, I know, we get to have all the fun! A morning walk shot.  Barely visible in the shafts of light to the left were swarm of little bugs, they look like snow.  They are not bothersome, but it takes the low angle light to even see them.  Petoskey is part of a long walking trail on a former rail line.  Pleasant, cool mornings, no bugs, pretty views make the walk a pleasure. I'm sure this tree has a twisted history. This clock tower is right next to the marina. The bell tolls on the the hour,  from 8 AM to 10 PM. Thankfully it respects quiet time. It also makes it easy to know the time when not looking at a clock. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAY 95    July 20 The museum is housed in the original railr...

  DAY 92    July 17 another day at Mackinaw City What's up with this? It's a convention, Paul, you weren't invited. The clouds were moving in as we walked downtown. There's always a show off in every crowd... If you say so.  We didn't try our luck. This guy was stirring the cream and sugar for the next batch. Oh, boy.  Can you imagine that they actually have fudge shops here?  What a surprise! Love it when the rhododendrons are this color. People pods, perhaps? No tourist trap is complete without miniature golf and a zip line.   At least in Florida we have gators to spice it up. They moved. This is a statue honoring Phineas Fudge, founder and patron saint of the Mackinaw fudge industry that we see today.  It is made entirely of fudge. Not. The clouds continued to build. The old Icebreaker "Mackinaw" serves as a museum ship. Any guesses?  I doubt they are oil wells. Then, there is the kite story.  Those of you who saw the last blog ...

   DAY 88    July 16 ferried to Mackinac Island What does the word Mackinac mean? Mackinac Island is a shortened version of the Native American name, Michilimackinac. The Anishinaabek word means   place of the great turtle . Why great turtle? They thought that Mackinac Island, with its limestone bluffs, looked like a giant turtle rising out of the water. This place opted to have many turtles rising. Over to Mackinac Island on a ferry to see the sights.  I said that Mackinaw City was a tourist trap, but it doesn't hold a candle to this place.  Literally thousands of people walking around, riding bikes, taking the carriage tours and otherwise shopping for yet more fudge, T-shirts and crafts made in China. A view away from the busy street. I worked hard to take the photos during gaps  in the people so you could see the buildings. No motorized vehicles on the island, but the beer must go thorough! This place is called the Lilac House. Wonder why?? We ...