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That Time I...

Paddled to Mackinac and Round Island for July 4th

Most people get to Mackinac Island in the summertime on a ferry.  Not me.  I decided to paddle out on one of the busiest days of the year: July 4th.  The 5.5-mile journey from St. Ignace wasn't the easiest paddle in the world because my entire journey almost perfectly matched the route that the ferries take.  Every 15 minutes or so a ferry would pass me, sending their wake in my direction.  Thanks everyone!  I don't remember much else about the journey over aside from this, at least until I reached the utilitarian lighthouse that marks Mackinac Island's harbor.


Finding a place to park a kayak on the busy island was another story.  It's not like I could just tie off on a private dock.  I pulled up behind a kayak tour/rental spot and asked the  guides if I could park for a little bit to take in the sights of the island.  They checked with their boss, and after some back-and-forth (with me in my kayak bobbing around the whole time), they eventually relented and let me park on their private beach for a little bit.  Woo!  I'm in.


Mackinac Island on July 4th is as busy and touristy as you can get.  Throngs of people in all directions, buying fudge and idiotic shirts that only tourists wear.  I was glad this was only a pitstop because I had bigger plans...


After getting my fill of the busiest place in the U.P., I scooted over to Round Island, an uninhabited wilderness with little more than a lighthouse on it.  I was in heaven!  I flew my kite aerial photography rig near the lighthouse, then paddled onwards to my own private beach to take in the evening.  And what an evening it was, because I was treated to a spectacular fireworks display in the harbor right in front of me, as well as several others in communities across the horizon.  Talk about a neat experience.

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