Michigan Trip Days #5 & #6
Wednesday & Thursday, September 3 & 4, 2025
The final two days of this trip brought ominous skies and some very heavy fall rains. Here is the Mackinac Bridge from WaWatam Park in Mackinaw City.
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From ChatGPT:
The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, located in Mackinaw City on Michigan’s mainland, guided ships safely through the treacherous Straits of Mackinac from 1892 until 1957. Today a museum, it features restored keeper’s quarters, original Fresnel lenses, and historic exhibits. Visitors can explore the grounds, climb the tower for panoramic views of the Mackinac Bridge and harbor, and learn about its crucial role in Great Lakes navigation and maritime history.
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We didn’t actually eat here; however, who doesn’t need a photo of a GIANT wiener?!?! Welcome to Wienerlicious.
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Our next stop was to visit the town of Harbor Springs, Michigan. This was a lovely small town on an inlet off Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan.
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The homes along Beach Drive are absolutely magnificent with great views of the bay. We were told these belong to OLD money and a lot of it!
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The locomotive had just been installed in Shay Park when we were there.
From ChatGPT:
In Shay Park, the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society has installed a restored Shay Locomotive (Serial No. 2005), a geared steam engine type invented by local resident Ephraim Shay. The locomotive was built in 1907 by the Lima Locomotive Works and after restoration was placed on permanent outdoor display in the park in 2025 alongside other artifacts.
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On the other side of Little Traverse Bay is Petoskey, Michigan. These are some views of the bay from Bayfront Park.
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Petoskey Clock Tower.
From ChatGPT:
Downtown Petoskey, centered around the historic Gaslight Shopping District, is a lively, picturesque hub on Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan. Lined with vintage gas lamp posts, it offers over 170 unique shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants set in charming, walkable streets. With scenic views of Lake Michigan, seasonal events, and easy access to parks and water activities, it’s a beloved destination for both locals and visitors seeking small‑town character and vibrant cultural life.
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Petoskey Bayfront Light Beacon Station and Breakwater.
Looking through the shops in Petoskey it is common to come across Petoskey Stones.
From ChatGPT:
Petoskey stones are fossilized coral, unique to the Great Lakes region, especially northern Michigan. Recognizable by their hexagonal patterns, they form in limestone and are often polished by lake waves. These smooth, patterned stones are popular as souvenirs, jewelry, and collectibles, symbolizing the region’s natural and geological history.
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