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Power Island in West Grand Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan. The island is owned by Grand Traverse County and offers many recreational activities. There is a boat dock, picnic area, trail system, sandy beaches, and rustic camping. Basset Island is connected to Power Island via an isthmus. The islands are a popular destination for boaters, kayakers, and nature enthusiasts. There are opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of the area. The trails lead visitors through wooded areas and along the shoreline, providing scenic views of the surrounding waters. Trail Map The 200-acre Power Island has over… Read More »

We wrote about the Michigan Car Ferry System that primarily took cars across the Straits of Mackinac last week. While researching those ferries we discovered that there were ferries that transported railcars. We touched on it a little last week with the Chief WaWatam that would transport the railcars across the Straits.  Michigan State Car Ferries, also known as the “Michigan State Railways,” had a significant role in the transportation history of the Great Lakes region. Operating primarily during the early to mid-20th century, these ferries were responsible for transporting railroad cars across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin. The… Read More »

  I have a picture hanging in my dining room of the Mackinac Bridge being built. This picture has always fascinated me. Every time I look at it, I discover something new. A friend was visiting on their way to Mackinac Island and we got talking about the bridge and the ferries before the bridge. I wanted to learn more about the ferries that would transport people and their cars across the Straits of Mackinac. I knew they existed but beyond that I did not know anything about the ferries. After all, the bridge opened a couple of years before… Read More »