Just had to add the latest boat we saw this past weekend docked at St. Ignace.
This belongs to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In the last post we wondered which of the protective services had the fastest boat.
Take a look at these on the stern.
This boat will be very important to the story in Book Three
of the Mackinac Trilogy.
In “Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine” several types of law enforcement boats
play a role in the search and rescue of Tawny.
While in the Straits area last week I photographed a few of them.
Take a look at the powerful engines mounted on the sterns of these vessels
and you can understand how they can reach such amazing speeds.
.
This craft is manned by Michigan Conservation Officers.
The above shots were taken at the St. Ignace Harbor. In the novel,”Chief” hitches a ride
from there on one of these boats. The law enforcement agencies in the Straits
work well together.
Last, but certainly not least, the U.S. Coast Guard boat temporarily docked at
Mackinac Island Harbor. I had to quickly capture this shot on a cell phone
before they sped off again.
Wouldn’t it be great to see these three boats in a race across the Straits?
Grand Hotel
Every day seems like the 4th of July at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel.
A line of flags stand at attention along the “longest porch in the world.”
The total length is 660 feet (200 m).
The patriotic theme is enhanced with bright red geraniums punctuating the glistening
white colors of the hotel, porch chairs, flower boxes and railings.
When it came to designing the cover of Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine there was no question.
The Grand Hotel HAD to be on the cover!
Lining up the Round Island Lighthouse with the Grand required
boating out to a good vantage point and trying not to bounce the camera
while ferry waves tossed the bow rider in choppy waters.
Tawny’s favorite – the Star Line ferry – happened to cruise by during the photo shoot.
The secret to taking these shots on a rocking boat? Experienced sea legs and
setting the camera for “action shots.”
When entering the Mackinac Island’s harbor, visitors are immediately drawn to the historic
barns on the Arnold Dock. Iconic reminders of Mackinac’s rich past, the barns are very
much in use today. Invariably, at least one horse drawn wagon will be pulled up along side,
as merchandise is loaded or unloaded.
In the novel Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine, Takoda’s workshop is located
in a historic barn out on the old Coal Dock.
The Grand Hotel, Ft. Mackinac and the Arnold Dock are probably the most prominent
and priceless structures on the island and we’re fortunate that they are well-preserved
and cared for by their owners and protected by the City of Mackinac.
While reading “Discovered – the Cross of Lorraine” some fans have had
difficulty picturing the coal dock where Takoda has his workshop. The above photo
focuses on the Arnold Dock below Fort Mackinac. The coal dock is to the left, just out of sight.
This winter shot was taken from the Arnold Dock – looking toward the Coal Dock.
Of course it is all fiction, but this was an ideal spot for Takoda’s boat restoration
business since it is isolated, near the hardware store and wonderful boats
have actually been restored there.
In 2005, extensive restoration of the Coal Dock began. Built before 1910, possibly as early
as 1860, the Coal Dock was aptly named, since coal used by residents was unloaded there
as well as hay, firewood and barreled fish. It was owned by the Arnold Line system for more
than 100 years, but before that belonged to Captain James Bennett and was known as
Bennett’s Wharf.
It is one of the most attractive sites on the waterfront and deserves preservation so that all visitors
throughout the coming years can enjoy seeing such a beautiful remnant of Mackinac’s past.
The stern of one of the gorgeous wooden boats handcrafted at the Coal Dock barn.
Photos of the Arnold Dock will be featured in the next posting.
You can’t truly experience Northern Michigan without crossing the “Gateway to the Upper
Peninsula” – the Mackinac Bridge, and visitors to Mackinac Island miss out
if they don’t visit St. Ignace and enjoy this historic town’s natural harbor.
For centuries, Native Americans, French, British and, of course, our own citizens have enjoyed the beauty of St. Ignace’s natural harbor of refuge. After crossing the bridge, visitors turn east toward town. The road makes a curve to the left and goes downhill, opening to the most amazing vista ahead – the aquamarine waters of Lake Huron, wrapped on three sides by a pristine harbor – St. Ignace. Chief’s office looks out on the bay and he often hitches a ride to the island on the Coast Guard boats or the local ferries.
A Star Line Ferry skims by the St. Ignace Marina
The Mackinac Bridge provides a marvelous panorama of the Straits of Mackinac and lakes Michigan
and Huron. Freighters are often seen passing underneath and Mackinac Island gleams to the east.
In Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine, the main characters are often travelling
back and forth to Mackinac Island on the Star Line ferries.
A chapter in Book Two, Witnessed – Measures of Love (to be published in late summer)
explains a little about this ferry line’s fascinating boats.
Here’s a preview of the text:
“The ferry was pretty empty since the high tourist season begins Memorial Day weekend. Tawny and Takoda had the top deck to themselves. They waved hello to the captain and sat near the bow, close to the side rails, and looked on as the practiced crew flung the lines off the dock pilings.
The captain gunned the engines and quickly swung the boat around to face their destination, Mackinac Island. After they gained speed, he turned on the hydro pump that sucks up lake water, then shoots it out at the stern in a large plume of water.
Star Line is known for those towering “rooster tails.” Children and adults are all amused by the playful effect of the towering sprays.”
If you’re lucky enough to have “Scut” crewing (as seen on bow)
you’ll have great entertainment. This energetic wonder adds excitement to
the trip from St. Ignace to Mackinac and always gets folks laughing on the way back.
Independent publisher located on the Keweenaw Peninsula
Homeschooling family on an adventure of a lifetime
Mackinac Postings 