The U.P.( 8/27/10)

the  view from our campsite

The first few days of our U.P. adventure were spent in St. Ignace, on Lake Michigan. That's pronounced Ig-niss, not Ig-nayss or Ig-nah-see. I also learned that for some reason the word Pastie is pronounced Pass-tee, and its not a pastry, nor a pastie. Its basically an individual meat pot pie.Paul and I tried one on the way home the other day and ended up not eating dinner because it was pretty filling. Also tasty. In keeping with our idea of slowing down a bit, we just spent two days hanging out- fixing things around the place (Paul always has ideas on improvements that can be made), and watching the water.

Our campsite has a great view of lake Michigan and I never tire of looking at beautiful water. Every night its been another beautiful sunset. 

We extended our stay in St. Ignace by one day because on Saturday there was a Chippewa Pow Wow scheduled and the public was invited.  I've never been to a Pow Wow, so I thought it would be interesting.  The field was set up with a center circle for dancers surrounded by the audience (should have brought chairs). The day  started with the Grand Entrance, and several flags were carried around the inner circle.  Once that was done, they began the dancing. A different "tribe" beat their drum for each dance and the indians sang as they danced around in the circle.  One dance was to honor Veterans and all veterans were invited to dance in the circle.  There were vendors all around but nothing we felt like we had to have.

Chippewa Pow Wow

    In addition to adding a night, we have decided to come back to St. Ignace for Labor Day weekend.  Once a year, on Labor Day, they close half of the Mackinac bridge to vehicle traffic and open it up to pedestrians. It's 5 miles long  and anyone can walk the length of it as long as they start walking by 11 am.  Once we get to the other side, buses will transport us back to St. Ignace. 

   In the meantime, we are in Munising Michigan, and today the view from our window is of Lake Superior, which is almost as beautiful as Lake Michigan.  We went swimming in the lake this afternoon since the weather here is in the mid to high 80s and perfect.

Mackinac Bridge