One of my favorite places......

Mr. 16 gauge · #1 07-13-2010, 10:43 AM

Over the 4th of July, my family and I went up to the Straits of Mackinaw for a mini vacation. I went to the restored Fort Michilimackinac......first went back when I was 7 years old and the place just never gets old for me. It was originally a French trading post, then became a French fort, then was turned over to the British after the 7 years war. It was captured by natives during Pontiacs rebellion, and during the revolutionary war it was deemed indefensible by the garisson commander, who ordered the fort moved to Mackinaw Island. What couldn't be moved was burned to the ground!
Excavations at the site started in 1959 and are continuing to this day.

The powder magazine:

Flintlock & bayonet demonstration:

Inside the French church:

Cannon firing demonstration:

....and now for something a little different. We went to Traverse City/Leelanau to revisit some of our favorite winerys, and the Cherry festival was going on. I didn't know it at the time, but there was an air show going on featuring none other than THE BLUE ANGELS!!! It was totally cool to watch these big war birds & their pilots perform....made me proud to be an American!

Gil Martin · #2 07-13-2010, 06:30 PM

I have been to Fort Michimilimackinac several times and really enjoyed it. I also went to Mackinac Island and toured that fort and Skull Cave (where Alexander Henry hid out). I then spent a pleasant afternoon at the Mustang Saloon. All the best...
Gil

multibeard · #3 07-13-2010, 09:51 PM

If you are traveling to the west on US-2 make the 18 mile trip down the Garden Peninsula just west of Manistique to the restored iron ore smelting town of Fayette. It is well worth the trip down to Fayettee state park.

About 4 miles south of US-2 you will find a differnet world from what you think of the UP being. Rich farm land. This is where I killed the three multiple bearded turkeys in the early 90's.

Really there are loads of do not miss places scattered all over the UP.

Duffy · #4 07-14-2010, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the photos and sharing about your trip. I would love to visit that fort, and vow to do so someday. My interest in that area really started ramping up with my recent reading of Northwest Passage by Kenneth Roberts. Great story, great history, and great area.

Adam Helmer · #5 07-14-2010, 08:14 AM

Mr. 16 gauge,

Great photos of a historic fort. I have been to Fort Ticonderoga several times on my trips back to NH. I touched the sally port door Arnold, Ethan Allen and 83 men went through to take the fort without firing a shot in 1775.

I also drove up to Mount Defiance Bourgoyne took cannon up to, to take Fort Ti in 1777.

Adam

Adam Helmer · #6 07-14-2010, 08:18 AM

Duffy,

I read the book Northwest Passage and was disappointed that in Part II we find Rogers married Elizabeth and went back to England. The 1939 movie with Spencer Tracy did follow Part I of the book faithfully.

Adam

Duffy · #7 07-14-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Helmer

I read the book Northwest Passage and was disappointed that in Part II we find Rogers married Elizabeth and went back to England. The 1939 movie with Spencer Tracy did follow Part I of the book faithfully.

I agree, that was disappointing. But Langdon's love for Ann in Part II more than makes up for it.

The movie was very cool, and a sequel was planned to cover Part II, but it never made it to shooting.