“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ― Mark Twain
The magic of Mackinac Island never goes out of season.
Michigan’s crown jewel is one of those places where time seems to stand still, things move at a slower pace, and it’s hard to imagine people really do everything via horses and bicycles.
I also love the island’s history. After studying abroad in London while earning my master’s degree, I gained an appreciation for how relatively young America is in comparison to countries across the Atlantic. Seeing the British Landing historical marker (and others) is a reminder of the importance of the Straits of Mackinac to the Midwest region.
My boyfriend turned the big 5-0 in February, and we decided to commemorate the big day with a snowmobile trip to the Upper Peninsula. I bought him gift certificates for one of our favorite getaways in Grand Marais as a Christmas/birthday present. It just so happened the ice bridge to Mackinac Island was in primo condition, so I talked him into to leaving a day early so we could do it.
Just as spending seven weeks in London was a “bucket list” experience, so was crossing the ice bridge to Mackinac Island.
Some years, the ice bridge never forms. Other years, it’s risky to cross. This year, it was perfect – frozen solid with a nice base of snow and snow covering all of the island. I’m always up for an adventure but also leery of crossing big bodies of frozen water, so I talked to a local about the conditions for extra assurance.
We stayed overnight at the Voyager Inn in St. Ignace – a clean hotel for $50 a night on a Thursday – and unloaded the snowmobiles across from the Mackinac Grille, where we also had a delicious whitefish dinner the night before. This is a spot near the ferry dock parking, and it was fun to see cars buried with a foot of snow on them.
We had a smooth transition onto the ice, hit the throttle, and zipped passed the Christmas trees guiding the way. The skies turned blue, the sun came out and the trip across the ice took less than 20 minutes. I never felt scared, but maybe that’s because the ice felt plenty solid. Thankfully, I didn’t hear creaking or see any cracks.
Most locals seem reluctant to promote the ice bridge. The lady who checked us in at the hotel said she would never do it, but went on to say her mom took off walking across it. For locals who live on the island, the ice bridge is a lifesaver during the harshest months of winter.
The ferry stops when the ice gets too thick so air travel is the only other way to get on and off the island. The ice bridge is the main thoroughfare to grab groceries, ferry supplies back and forth, or head downstate (or upstate) for a few days. We even saw a fat-tire biker riding across on our return trip.
The ice bridge connects at British Landing, where there is a sign for snowmobiles to pay $5. On busy days, an officer monitors the traffic (we saw him as we departed the island). We started out by riding north around the perimeter of the island and never passed another sled.
In town, we met a friendly couple from Traverse City who brought their grandchildren on an experience of a lifetime (their parents agreed it was worthy of skipping school). They were gracious enough to take a few photos of us with Main Street in the background.
After lunch at The Mustang Lounge, we tried to ride inland to arch rock and Fort Holmes but those were closed to snowmobilers. We stopped for a few more photos at a scenic overlook, in front of Grand Hotel and on the ice bridge, then headed back across and loaded up for the next part of the journey to Grand Marais.
One thing that surprised me was how much construction activity takes place during the off-season. We saw construction at Mission Point, Pink Pony, Grand Hotel, Island House Hotel and other businesses – and horses pulling wagons full of discarded building materials. There are a couple of stores, restaurants and hotels open for tourists and locals who stay year-round.
During the winter, island residents come together for community events, including a winter festival in early February and a St. Patrick’s Day weekend. They enjoy game nights, potlucks, winter activities, and a slower pace. There is also a strong sense of community among the locals and workers who consciously trade the rat race for labor-intensive work and limited amenities.
The ice bridge held up for more than a month this winter. The recent warm-up had locals spreading the word among snowmobiling groups that it officially closed late last week. Hopefully, I am fortunate enough to go again someday and stay overnight. As we loaded our sleds for another two-hour drive to the shores of Lake Superior, we met a couple who planned to do just that.
It’s worth the trip, especially if you love a pure Michigan adventure. Crossing the ice bridge was truly a magical experience – and one I won’t soon forget!
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist and content marketing writer who lives in Norton Shores. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
