10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS TRAVEL Exploring the Mackinac Triangle of History MARIE Groundcover contributor Friday July 10th: Left for the Straits of Mackinaw shortly after midnight to visit what is known by some as the Mackinac Triangle of History. The triangle refers to the three forts established in the Straits of Mackinac and their significance to the colonization and founding of the United States. I had a huge smile on my face pulling out of the parking lot, because I was excited to be visiting one of the most iconic places in American history, in the year of the USA's 250th birthday. I made it to the Michigan Welcome Center in Mackinaw City before dawn. When I finally rolled out of bed around 1 p.m., the helpful ladies I was hoping to see behind the literature desk were in the same spots they have occupied now for years. With smiles and suggestions they helped me fill a bag with maps, brochures and a highlighted Mackinaw City route just for me. When I found my way to the boardwalk and ferry, I was relieved that nothing had fallen out of the back of the car, because I had left the rear door open during the drive downtown. One of the fudge shops on the main drag had a mouthwatering pyramid of brightly colored caramel corn that rose halfway to a mirrored ceiling. The young person working the caramel corn startled me a bit when they stepped out from behind the towering bags to offer a sample from a metal scoop. I found my way to the free Mackinac Bridge History Museum, located above a timeless pizza joint. Before the bridge was opened to traffic on Nov 1, 1957, the only way to access the Upper Peninsula was via ferry. The museum is filled with artifacts and personal stories about the ironworkers who proudly helped build the iconic bridge. The bridge spans a total of five miles, and cost me $4 to cross in a personal vehicle. The Lower Peninsula end of the bridge stretches from the banks of historic Fort Michilimackinac, which was built around 1715 by the French, and the bridge extends from the banks of what is now part of the Michigan state park system. Saturday July 11: I sleepily stumbled out of bed around noon, and found my way into the St. Ignace MI Welcome Center, located on the hill which rises from toll-gates on the UP side of the bridge. This time, I didn’t recognize the faces hidden behind the decades-old taxidermied owls, cougar, and timber wolf. Nevertheless, they also helped me fill a bag of UP brochures, maps and a list of upcoming local festivities. I found my way to the boardwalk in St. Ignace and bought a $26 roundtrip-ticket on Arnold’s “classic” ferry to Mackinac Island. By the time I left the ticket office, my card had been charged $43. Apparently, there was a hidden $2 booking fee, and the ticket agent was kind enough to use her personal cellphone to help me pay the $15 fee to park for the day. It appears “classic” really just means the slower less expensive boat, because all of the ferries appear to use the same route. I felt like I was standing at the bow of the Titanic, with the breeze on my beading skin, and the realization there weren’t enough emergency boats or flotation devices on deck for the number of passengers. I felt somewhat relieved knowing we weren’t the only ferry traveling the same route, and the horn was clearly operational. Once off the ferry, I passed under the Mackinac Island Welcome sign, and instead of being welcomed by the frontier facades of my childhood, I felt as though I had missed a turn and stepped into Victoria’s Secret. Fortunately, the horses pulling the taxies and moving people's bags weren’t all pink. Just as I was reading menus and coming to the realization I was about to spend more than the maximum I might earn for this article, I discovered Doud’s Irish Pub, my best option for an allergen-friendly lunch. (I was trying to avoid nightshades and cow cheese.) According to a March 18, 1993, article in the St. Ignace News, many islanders are descendants of immigrants who felt the island reminded them of their native Ireland, which they left during the potato famine of the 1830s. Steven Doud was a cooper (a traditional artisan who shapes wood into barrels). Many immigrants were able to find work in familiar trades such as fur, agriculture and fishing. AUGUST 7, 2026 Over a goat cheese, beet and salmon salad while chatting with a native baker, I enjoyed a drink called a“Dark and Stormy." The baker shared current challenges related to their work, as they are allergic to corn. The bartender pulled a bottle and shared that they were still trying to figure out which of the three ingredients inside might be contributing to an allergic rash. I wish I could have taken a picture of when our heads collided as we leaned in at the same time to ponder the possible source of the bartender’s allergic reaction. After exploring the main drag some more, including a less than impressive island library history book collection, I found my way to the marina and State Park Visitor’s Center. Here I discovered a hallway illustrated on both sides, with a historical timeline of the area and a basic map outlining tourist travel path options. A few important highlights of Mackinac Island’s history include that Congress designated it the United States' second National Park in 1875. However, in 1895, the U.S. government “gifted” the island to the State of Michigan, thus it became Michigan’s first state park. With less than an hour left to catch the last ferry back to the mainland, I sought refuge in the shade of a properly trimmed cedar and freshly painted buildings. I quickly found myself engrossed in deep conversation with a few young shop people from one of the trendy boutiques. As I sipped cool water from the refill station, they gave me their inside scoop on the island over upside down ice cream cones, which were melting in wax paper bowls. We giggled through our salted-tears, as we all admitted our months’ earnings were being eaten by board and sweet treats. We waved as I departed with tomorrow’s plan in hand. Sunday July 12th: I returned to what the St. Ignace Ojibwa Museum plaque says is often believed to mean “The Great Turtle.” According to the museum plaque, “A very important Ojibwa legend tells the story of a great flood which covered the whole earth. Afterwards, in the middle of the expanse of water, the ground was re-created on the back of a great turtle, forming what is now known as Mackinac Island.” Following the suggestions of current and former island employees, for $17.50 I purchased access to a handful of historical landmark buildings see TRIANGLE next page
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