Day 103 Beaver Island

After I sent the blog yesterday, we biked around St. Ignace. Found an amazing museum that started as a private collection and blossomed into a very thorough and extensive assembly of Indian artifacts and local historical items dating back to the 1600's. The gift shop was exceptional, too, because it had authentic Native American made objects for sale along with some museum pieces. Very interesting stop. The docent sent us across the street for a local delicacy, white fish livers, prepared by a Native American chef. They were very rich. Tasted a lot like chicken livers pan fried with onions, but glad we tried them since I doubt if we will ever see them again on a restaurant menu. Then we rode to the local grocery store. Why are they all located up steep hills?! Took off this morning after a short rain shower and  boated under the famous 4 mile long Mackinac Bridge. Welcome to Lake Michigan. There were ferry boats buzzing everywhere already at 9am. They tour the bay and bridge and take tons of tourists to Mackinac Island.  We bi-passed this historical island where no cars are allowed - travel is by horse or bike. We heard that the little harbor is crazy with ferries - constant waves, and it has gotten very touristy. The magnificent Grand Hotel there boasts the longest veranda in the world, but it's gotten so commercial that if you aren't staying in the hotel, you have to pay $10. to walk around on it. A little choppy on the lake, wind out of the NW, but not bad.  A cold front moved through yesterday afternoon so the temps fell to the 50's and it was freezing on the 6 hour trip to Beaver Island, but after we docked, it rebounded to a sunny 70 degrees. Crazy Michigan weather. Explored the little village next to the marina. It resembles an old west town from the 1800's. The cute little post office use to be the rowdy saloon. One old building I visited was originally a print shop owned by a Morman named Stang who broke away from the traditional church. He basically founded the island as a sanctuary. He wrote a book of rules and declared himself "King". He had about 2000 followers on the island; however, two of them became disgruntled and assassinated him. The disgusted mainlanders then stormed the island and drove all the Mormons off. After that, the Irish fishermen took over. Their influence still exists in the island's arts. Logging was also a boost to the island's economy. The place developed a lawless reputation until it was incorporated into a neighboring county around the turn of the century. Today the 660 residents mostly depend on tourism...we did our part.