Halfway!!!

Out on the water by 6:00 a.m. to greet this beautiful sunrise.

It seemed these creatures were the only others on Lake Huron at this very early hour!

Saw yet another freighter on Lake Huron. 

We experienced calm seas, a lake temperature of 71 degrees, and depths of 200 feet or more on Lake Huron today as we traveled a total of 120 miles . . .whew!  As we approached the "Straits of Mackinac" we saw Bois Blanc Island on our left.

The "Straits of Mackinac" is the shared water between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.  The two lakes share the same water level; only the bed of a very ancient river, widened over centuries by the persistence of water and the scouring of ice, has kept the passage open.  Today, a strait, four miles wide, separates the two penisulas of Michigan.  This strait carries a name vereated in American Indian lore, Mackinac, "the Turtle," whose back supports the world, according to one tradition.  The Mackinac Bridge spans this four-mile strait.

The Mackinac Bridge is the world's largest single span suspension bridge.  Built in 1954, it was completed on time by 1957, and on budget at $99,800,000!!!

To the right, we saw Mackinac Island {I was trying to see all of the sailboats to make sure that the harbor truly was full . . . see yesterday's blog :)}

If you're familiar with the island, the "Grand Hotel" is on the very left of the picture, while the downtown area is on the right.

Ferries "tear" back and forth to go to this island.

If the ferries weren't enough to cause confusion is this narrow passage, there were people parisailing!

Pulled into "Straits State Harbor" in Mackinaw City, Michigan, at 4:30.  A great day of cruising and now miles wise, we are half-way through our trip!