From Lake Michigan to Mackinac Magic
- Nicole
- Jul 3, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 8
Goodbye, Charlevoux
Homeward Bound Day 15
Leaving Charlevoix wasn’t easy. After six weeks away, the pull toward home was growing stronger, and it was finally time to start making our way back so I could see my girlies. We slipped away early to catch the first bridge opening, and there’s something so magical about departing at sunrise; the sky soft and sleepy, the light stretching across the water, and that quiet feeling that maybe you’re part of something bigger.
It was a gorgeous day… except the wind forgot to show up. So instead of sails, we listened to the not-so-gentle hum of the engine for most of the passage.
Crossing Into a New Chapter
Passing beneath the Mackinac Bridge felt monumental. It marked the end of our Lake Michigan chapter and the beginning of our Lake Huron journey home. Lake Michigan will always stay with us—the challenges, the curve-balls, and the unexpected peace we found along the way.
And even though we know the bridge clearance is plenty high, looking straight up the 63 ft mast always made my heart stop for a second. It looks impossible… and then, like so many moments on this journey, we just glide through and everything is perfectly fine.
I’d read in the Waterway Guide that navigating between the islands from the Mackinac bridge could be stressful with ferries, cargo ships, and traffic everywhere, but honestly? It went so smoothly I almost felt cheated out of the drama 😆
We still really wanted to experience Mackinac Island, so we booked a slip at St. Ignace for the night and planned our day trip over for the next morning. Proof that when you really want something on this journey… you find a way.
Better late then never, right.
Ferry Day Adventures
Not So Homeward Bound, Day 16
Ferry day! Let’s just say… not everyone loved it. Poor Ryleigh absolutely hated the ride. She spent the whole crossing tucked in my arms while I comforted her, while half the passengers tried to pet the “adorable but terrified” little dog who wanted absolutely no part of strangers.
Arriving at Mackinac Island felt like stepping into another world. With motorized vehicles illegal on the island, everything runs by horse and human power. Horse-drawn buses instead of taxis. A horse-drawn garbage truck casually trotting down the street. Hooves on pavement instead of engines. Time feels slower there, in the best possible way.
We explored by foot, wandered slowly, and soaked it all in… or at least tried to while occasionally dodging the “authentic island aroma.” Mackinac Magic comes with a distinct fragrance, courtesy of hundreds of hardworking horses. It definitely takes a minute to adjust, but honestly? Even the smell somehow becomes part of the charm. Real. Lived-in. Absolutely unforgettable.
After everything it took to get here, it felt incredibly special to finally stand on that island and just be.
Reflection: Magic, Momentum, and Moving Forward
This stretch of our journey reminded me that “homeward bound” doesn’t always mean heading straight home on a neat, predictable path. Sometimes it means pausing. Sometimes it means detouring for something your heart’s been quietly wishing for. And sometimes it means recognizing that even when you’re pointed toward home… the adventure isn’t over.
Lake Michigan taught us patience, humility, and how little we actually control out here. Mackinac gifted us wonder, gratitude, and a little magic, horse aroma included. And on this part of the journey, I’m learning to hold every part of it close: the challenges, the fears, the surprises, the laughter, and the breathtaking moments in between. All of it shaping the sailor, traveler, and person I’m becoming.
⚓💙
July 1 - July 2, 2024
Charlevoix, MI ➜ St Ignace Island
Saint Ignace Marina
51.7 Nautical Miles
373.6 Total NM
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