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The Michigan Mitten

Writer: Jim Clarahan
Jim Clarahan
Jul 24, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jul 24, 2025

"The Mitten" will be complete when I pass by Detroit and Toledo early tomorrow before turning east into the sunrise along Lake Erie’s southern coast.


From the heel of the palm, Union Pier and Michiana in the southwestern corner, to the tip of the pinky finger, Northport, then south around the gap with the ring finger, Traverse City, onto Petoskey. Then thru the “Tunnel of Trees” to the tip of the middle finger, Mackinaw City. Then south hugging the edge of the index finger to the crux of the thumb, Bay City, then east/northeast to the tip of the thumb – Port Austin. Finally heading south along the "Thumb Coast" to Port Huron. After passing Toledo, nearly 1600 miles in 6 days, will be the finish to "the Michigan Mitten”!

Big brother Dray doing feeding little sis, Miss Parker! 💕 (What's he watching?)

Attempting to capture the Mitten experience with several pics and videos from along the way …

  • Welcome to "Pure Michigan"
  • Sunrise over Muskegon
  • Hog Wild BBQ Holland
  • cool chrome trike
  • remnants of "Bike Time"
  • Legends Pub, Muskegon for iced tea
  • Fuel stop Northport, the tip of the pinky

Northbound to the tip of the mitten, Mackinaw City.

  • Silver Lake Dunes
  • Frankfort beach & lighthouse
  • Frankfort lighthouse
  • twin tugs
  • Famous Recipe North Muskegon, not as good as it once was
  • Tunnel of Trees, 20 mils of twisty, hilly, narrow road among the forest of NW Michigan
  • Tunnel of Trees, Road Closed the last 7 miles
  • The Legs Inn historic marker sign
  • Bike at the Legs Inn
  • Mackinac Island lighthouse complex
  • lighthouse historic marker
  • lighthouse view
  • Papa, bike, lighthouse, Mackinac Bridge
  • Mackinac Bridge
  • Mackinac City
Cool new ballcap and tourist map are the only proof of my trip to Mackinac Island. Phone batter was dead, so no pics until I returned to hotel and charged up the phone. Roundtrip ferry = $36, hat = $15.99, map = $0. Hundreds of sailboats at the island. Many of them competed in the annual race from Port Huron.
Cool new ballcap and tourist map are the only proof of my trip to Mackinac Island. Phone batter was dead, so no pics until I returned to hotel and charged up the phone. Roundtrip ferry = $36, hat = $15.99, map = $0. Hundreds of sailboats at the island. Many of them competed in the annual race from Port Huron.

Early morning southbound trek from Mackinac City to Port Huron.

  • Ferry terminal, Mackinac City to Mack Island
  • Early morning sunrise chaser
  • light peering over distant clouds
  • Here comes the Sun!
  • A sturdy steel horse
  • lunch at The Bank 1884 in Port Austin, also 5-stars

A much-needed day of rest, taking a sightseeing cruise on the St Clair River, breakfast at The Raven, so delicious and great vibes inside.

  • Huron Lady II
  • refueling for long trek north across Lake Huron to Superior
  • PHYC
  • PHYC HQ
  • drawbridge open
  • Huron Ave, PH
  • Deep Purple baby
  • the Raven Cafe
  • Raven's menu, bkfast, lunch, dinner = scrumptious
  • XL cup of morning Joe

Onward to Erie PA, then Watertown NY, before crossing the US/Canadian border. 

 

 
 
 

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