Mackinac Island Winter Update 2/10/2013

You have only to turn on the news to know folks up north are experiencing some really extreme weather this winter, and it has certainly been a snowy one for the last few weeks on Mackinac Island.  With all the cold weather, and lots and lots of snow, islanders’ hopes for the creation of an ice bridge were really looking good this past week.

On Feb. 4 Brett Horn and Jason St. Onge began a slow walk across the ice from the Island to St. Ignace. They started their walk on the north shore, near Stonecliffe.  As they walked, they used picks to measure the depth of the ice. It took them just under three hours to make the crossing, and in the pic above, they are still almost three miles from St. Ignace. Their snowmobiles are resting about 200 yards off shore, which was as far as they felt comfortable going with the heavy machines.  (Photo: Robert McGreevy)

Two days later people began crossing on snowmobiles. (Photo: 9 and 10 News)

It didn’t last long.  Today ice began pulling away from the island beach on the west side of Mackinac, and people were warned not to attempt a crossing.  Crossing the ice bridge is never condoned by public authorities, and it is always “cross at your own risk.”  Praying everyone stays safe out there this winter.

On Feb. 4 (the same day Jason and Brett were walking across the ice) the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinac, one of nine ice cutters that patrol the Great Lakes each winter, cut a path through the Straits for a promotional video.  UpNorthLive.com posted the video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ogRa0lRy_K8.

ATTENTION!  MACKINAC ISLAND RESIDENTS!

Shepler’s Ferry will once again be offering resident ferry passes for $100.  There is no deadline this year to buy the passes, so you may purchase them anytime.  Contact Shepler’s at (231) 436-5023 for more information, or email them at info@sheplersferry.com.

ISLAND PHOTOS

Mary McGuire’s four-legged buddy, Sally, romps in the belly-deep snow. (Photo: Mary McGuire)

A pink and blue sky over deep snow near the Mission Point gazebo.  (Photo:  Mission Point Resort)

How often do you see this!? Robert McGreevy captured this stunning photo of an Bald Eagle resting in a tree near Point Aux Pins, which is the northwest tip of the island.

A solitary boat rests on the frozen shore.  (Photo: Mission Point Resort)

Same scene in the light of day. (Photo: Mary McGuire)

Winter taxi driver George takes a few minutes to warm up at Cawthorne’s Village Inn.

Heather May shared this awesome photo of the Mackinac Bridge illuminated by the sun’s rays, shot across a stretch of cotton-white snow.  Wow!

Speaking of Heather May, she also writes a wonderful Mackinac Island blog, and this week she posted a new one with fantastic photographs.  Please go here to read and enjoy:  http://mackinacislandgal.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/mackinac-island-blog-pinepartiesandpokerruns/.

HOW TO GET TO THE ISLAND

With ferry service ended, and with no dependable ice bridge as yet, there is only one way to get to and from the Island right now, and that is Great Lakes Air.  If you’re planning a winter trip, five flights are available Monday-Saturday, four flights on Sunday.  You can contact Great Lakes Air at 906-643-7165.

CHRIS ANN UPDATE

I haven’t spoken personally to Chris Ann in a little over a week, but I have heard from a friend who visited and another friend who spoke with Burton.  Chris Ann is sleeping more and more, but her pain continues to be well-controlled.  Her loving spirit is still as strong as ever.  Please pray that this journey’s end is peaceful for Chris Ann, Burton, and all of their family.

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Hope everyone is having a wonderful winter – wherever you are.  Ted told me yesterday that we’d be leaving for the Island 13 weeks from today (that sounds closer than “three months”, doesn’t it)!  These first 3 1/2 months have sure flown by!

God bless.

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