H.O.M.E.S (a quiz!)

Huron. Ontario. Michigan. Erie. Superior!  The five Great Lakes. How'd you score?  Mackinac sits in Lake Huron, so naturally I see a variety watercraft.  I am constantly snapping digital photos and today I would like to share with you a bit of what I see as I wander around and over this 8.5 mile Island on foot, on my bike and in a horse-drawn taxi! 

Self- explanatory U.S. Coast Guard boat in the Mackinac Island harbor which you see in the background.  When I grow up, I want to be in the Coast Guard and be assigned to the Great Lakes.  There are, of course, larger Coast Guard boats as well as helicopters in the area on a regular basis. This calm looking Lake can become a MONSTER in no time!! 

In the Harbor, at the Arnold Boat Line dock, is the Yorktown...a Great Lakes cruise ship. There are two I know of that make regular appearances on the Island.  Note all the bikes!!  No autos.

I have posted lots of freighter shots, but this one took my breath away!  There are two yacht races (more on this in a bit) and of course the freighters just plow right through the race... yachtsmen beware! This snapped at the finish line.  The one with sails up is trying to complete the race while the one with sails down has finished and is headed into the MI harbor. 

Indians?  Don't think so!  Interesting but no knowledge of the who, what, when, where and why!  Gorgeous canoe!! Notice in the following photo, they just paddle right in among the yachts in the race.  Awesome!!

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This is also a freighter but one known as a "salty," as it has come to the Great Lakes from saltwater...I had never personally seen this one previously.

Surely this is James Bond...or some such...arriving in the harbor.

This is the Lake Guardian, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) vessel which came through...beyond that apple tree ....at dusk.  In the big scheme of things, it is newer than most so far more attractive.  Believe it was built in 1981.  Indeed an impressive sight.

Ugly Anne is used for tours of the Straits, the bridge, etc....

I can only wish.....

There are three passenger ferry lines: Arnold, Sheplers and Starline.  This is one of Starline's ferries which brings passengers from St. Ignace as well as Mackinaw City.

A mighty powerful and gorgeous power boat in the harbor!

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There are two major yacht races to the Island each year.  This past weekend....and the photos that follow....are from the Port Huron Race which is actually from Detroit to the Island.  Next weekend is the Chicago Race which is from Chicago to the Island.  These yachts actually will pass right in front of Cable Cottage, and if the wind is right, they will be full of color.  Enjoy the next few photos from the Port Huron Yacht Race.  

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