Roadtrip! Heading For The Tip Of Michigan

 The largest portion of the state of Michigan is shaped like a mitten. Our destination, Mackinac Island, was at the tip of the fingers in the mitten. We started out from our overnight stay just outside of Toledo and headed north. The whole week we had watched the weather reports fluctuate between rain, cold, a wintry mix, and sunshine. Even as we headed out after our breakfast at the Hampton Inn (served cafeteria style by a lovely lady behind the tables set up to keep us from helping ourselves) we weren't sure what to expect. 

Not far up the road, the sun came out and we were entranced. The fall colors were amazing! Once we were past Ann Arbor and the Detroit exits, the traffic calmed a bit and the landscape became open country with vista after vista of colorful foliage. 

As we passed the Frankenmuth exit, I made a mental note that, should we ever return, we needed to plan a stop in the town where it's Christmas all year long. 

Lost in the wonder of the fall colors, I'm not sure where exactly we stopped for lunch. It was at a McDonald's and thankfully the restrooms were open as well. We ordered happy meals since we really weren't that hungry and it was a little early for a big lunch. "Are these guaranteed to make us happy?" I asked the young man. He pointed to the box and said, "The smile's right there." I couldn't tell if he was smiling behind his mask.

As I said in yesterday's post, Bob had planned to take the ferry to Mackinac from St. Ignace so that we could cross the Mackinac Bridge. Just after one, we began to see the signs for the bridge and soon we crested a hill and before us in the distance we could see the towers of the bridge. I have to admit, it was kind of exciting. It is the fifth largest suspension bridge in the world according to their website but other lists have it at 24 or 3 depending upon what you are measuring.

Still, 3, 5 or 24, it was going to be fun.