Since the 1950's, the Chuckwagon is where island locals go for breakfast on Mackinac Island. The Chuckwagon is truly a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant, open for only breakfast & lunch and closed on Mondays. Donny is the short-order grill virtuoso, skillfully preparing multiple breakfast orders without a single wasted motion in this throwback establishment.
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| Daybreak over Mackinac Island harbor |
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| The Chuckwagon...or is this a time machine back to the 50's? |
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| Keep my skillet good & greasy...this ain't my first Rodeo! |
After a great breakfast, it was time say goodbye to Mackinac Island and catch the ferry back to the mainland. We checked out of the Chippewa and walked down to Sheplers dock. In short order, we were picking up our vehicle and crossing back over the Mackinac Bridge to return to the Lower Peninsula for more adventures on the eastern shore of Michigan.
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| No motor vehicles...so bag delivery is either by pedal or hoof! |
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| One photo captures all 3 competing ferry services AND the Round Island Passage Light (1948) |
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| Round Island Lighthouse (1895) |
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| Over the Mackinac Bridge and back to the Lower Peninsula |
From Mackinaw City, we headed east on M-23 towards Cheboygan, where we stopped at the Cheboygan Brewery. Then we continued southeast towards Alpena and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Alpena, with a stable population of just over 10,000, is considered, along with Traverse City, to be one of the anchor cities of the upper portion of Michigan.
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| Cheboygan Brewery |
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| We missed the daily boat tour, but got this great photo! |
Unfortunately, we were too late for their daily glass-bottom boat tour to view the many shipwrecks in Thunder Bay. However, the National Marine Sanctuary had many interesting displays and a theatre showing a very worthwhile 20-minute video on the maritime history of Thunder Bay.
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| The John Lau Saloon in Alpena |
Then it was time for a late lunch at the Lau Saloon in downtown Alpena before continuing south towards Oscoda. In comparison with the western coast of Michigan, we found the eastern coast to be more low key with less dramatic scenery. We might give the east coast another look on a future road trip, but the west coast of Michigan certainly wins the preliminary round.
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| One of the two guest buildings at Huron House |
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| Our Au Sable room at Huron House |
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| Well-appointed bathrooms |
The Huron House was the final place I booked before we left for Michigan. Once again, I was simply searching for a nice endpoint for our days travel and stumbled upon another winner. Located on the Lake Huron beach in Oscoda, Huron House attention to detail makes this a wonderful place for a couples escape and home for weary travelers!
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| Stars are born...Willie & Felesha doing publicity photos on the beach! |
At check-in, we met another incoming couple, Willy & Felesha from Detroit, and we agreed to meet them out on the deck by the water. At the front desk, we had been informed Huron House had a photographer on the grounds updating their website. As we returned from a short walk along the beach, we noticed the photographer talking with Wille & Felesha asking if they would do some impromptu publicity shots. During the photo session, we chatted with the owner of the Huron House, Al Heminger. Afterwards, Willy & Felesha joined us for wine and conversation at our table by the water until it was nearly dark. Another great day exploring Michigan!
Posted by TBW Travel Today!
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