IT

IT’S UP TO YOU TO GET AWAY!

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN
by John Bouck

There are a few places to travel where one of the ONLY means of access is by aircraft…or boat. The upper peninsula of Michigan includes one of those places, and it’s a unique treasure. Your aircraft is the ONLY way to get to the island without a boat, or without using a commercial ferry…unless you swim real well!

Mackinac Island (pronounced MACK-IN-AW) is situated in the straits between 2 of the Great Lakes…Lakes Michigan and Huron. Just 7 miles east of the Mackinac Bridge, and only a couple miles off-shore, it’s a huge step back to the 19^th Century!

Since a ban in 1898, there have been no cars on the island! If you’re a horse lover, you’ll want to stay here forever. If you’re a big city person, well…you’ll have to decide if you prefer the smells of auto exhaust, or…horse exhaust! No matter your preference in modes of transportation on the ground, this island is a throwback to the past and you’ll love every turn. We’ve been there several times and find something new each time.

The island is awash in history, with ownership passing between the French, British and Americans several times. During the War of 1812, the British successfully invaded the island, and began to fortify it. In 1814, the Americans tried to retake the place, but were driven back by the British, in one of the only bloody battles on the island. Just a year later though, in 1815, the island was turned back to the Americans by treaty, and has remained American soil since.

In 1895, the federal government, who owned most of the island, claiming it as a national park, turned the 1,041 acres over to the State of Michigan, and it was established as a state park. This park has been named, by National Geographic, as one of the 10 finest parks in America. Because of the park status of 80% of the island, there has been little development, and it has remained almost as it was, architecturally, since the 1800’s.

The first time out there, we landed among all sorts of interesting aircraft, from Malibu’s and PC 12’s, to amphibians, bi-planes and Cessna 150’s. The airport (MCD) has a well maintained 3,500 foot runway with a VOR approach. After touchdown, we signed in at the little terminal building, and called for a taxi for four of us. Walking outside, we sat down on the hard little bench to wait for our ride. 20 minutes later…no taxi. Because the island is so small I had expected our pickup to only be a matter of minutes, and not a lifetime later! I wasn’t on island time yet, so I stomped back into the building, dialed the taxi company and was a little irate, wondering why we were still sitting here, waiting for the taxi.

There was a pause at the other end of the line. Finally, the voice came back politely, and quietly, “It should be there at anytime sir.”

“Well…it’s not. How much longer do we have to wait?”

More quiet at the other end, then, “…you do know that it’s a horse drawn taxi, don’t you?” Hmm. No, I don’t. I mean, I didn’t! Just then a beautiful, black fringed, 8 seat carriage, pulled by 2 of the biggest horses I’ve ever seen, pulled up in front.

“Ah. Yes. I think…it’s just here now. I thought…didn’t know…okay, it’s here. Bye!”

“Well, John, welcome to Mackinac Island!” my wife said, as I heaved our bags onto the back of the wagon. Yup! Maybe that’s one of the reasons that tourists on the island are, ungraciously, called “Fudgies” by the 600 permanent islanders. The other reason is that, since the 1920’s, the favorite souvenir of tourists has been fudge, produced in great quantity in the numerous shops through the small downtown shopping district. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the peculiar downtown odor of fresh fudge, mixed with horse!

Actually, horsy smells really are not an issue on this island. Though there are hundreds of them clopping around, one of the most important summer jobs for college kids in the area is sweeping up the streets, all day, every day. The island and its streets are kept clean in spite of the eating habits of the local transportation! Incidentally, as a word of caution, you will be advised by many of the islanders to be certain to cross streets directly across and not at an angle, being cautious to look both ways. If you don’t, you are running a real risk of being mowed down by one of the fast moving carriages, or even more certain, by one of the hundreds of tourists on a bicycle!

Mackinac Island is actually in Lake Huron and owned by the State of Michigan. With about 3.8 total square miles of land area, and a perimeter of 8.3 miles, it’s perfect for hiking as well as biking, a favorite sport and method of transportation on the island. As a matter of fact, a bike path circumnavigates the entire island and the ride is level and easy, with a number of rest stops along the way. It’s easy to find a bike rental store or your hotel may even have them available.

Flying to Mackinac from the east or west, you may choose to fly to the bottom of the Lower Peninsula, as I do, and fly up the peninsula to Mackinac Island, which is located just a short distance off-shore. I’ve found it to be slightly longer than flying directly over the lakes and the pucker factor may be somewhat less for you! If you decide to go over one of the lakes, I would suggest that altitude is your best friend, particularly in the colder months of spring or winter. I know many friends that are confident with their aircraft, and the fact they have flown many years without incident. However, I also agree with Woody Allen’s contention that “confidence is what you have before you understand the problem!”

There are numerous places to stay overnight on the island, but understand that, particularly on weekends, the Chicago crowd occasionally descends on the island for vacations. Try to book early if you plan to go during busy summer months. There are dozens of attractive, comfortable Bed and Breakfasts, small inns and hotels. “The Grand Hotel,” however, is the landmark hotel on the island! (www.grandhotel.com).

Completed in 1887, just as the island was gaining in popularity, it has dominated the place with its architecture and stateliness since then. The hotel is well maintained and allegedly has the largest covered porch in the world (660’ long!)…complete with rockers. If you can’t afford to stay there (there are many very nice accommodations for much less on the island), you are able to enter the hotel and take a tour, for a fee. The grounds are as gorgeous as the hotel itself, and are a must-see.

Fine restaurants abound throughout the island, and your only chore will be deciding which one to drool over next, whether for lunch or dinner. For more information on the island, their website (www.mackinacisland.com) is a help. Just remember, before landing, that the instant your engine is shut down you are on “island time”. There are no other motorized vehicles around, and horses couldn’t care less about your stress, or your job problems, so leave them behind in the plane. It’s a great place to think about how things used to be before vehicles buzzed and clattered all around you…and it’s just one of the many places your wings can carry you, where others would like to go, but may never have the opportunity!

John Bouck lives in upstate Auburn, N. Y. He is a commercial and industrial real estate broker, licensed in New York and Florida. John flies a Cessna 210, as well as a Cessna 180 on amphibious floats. With over 2,000 hours of flight time, he holds a commercial license, with instrument rating, as well as seaplane rating, and is a CFI. He can be reached at: jcbouck@verizon.net.