A good part of the travel today was on main highways so we did get to move things along quicker. At one point, I see a hard turn in the highway coming up on the GPS map. I decide that it is just the way it appears. After all, I am on a major 4 lane highway going 75 - 80 MPH surrounded by semi-trucks and angry OH drivers. (Sidenote: The angriest, jerkiest drivers so far? OH hands down. Worst than boston). As we get closer to the "left turn in the highway" I realize...it really is a left turn...in the highway. What alerts me are these GINORMOUS YELLOW SIGNS that say "35 MPH" and show a horrifying picture of a hard left turn in the middle of this highway. At this point, even Abby says something about us turning left on a highway, I guess she is practicing for driving lessons when we get home.
Cleveland highways were a lot. So many ins and outs and merging and new highways and ending highways, it was brutal. Adam told me a great story of when he was young and his family drove up from FL to OH. His dad told his mom "just stay in this lane" before he took a nap. His mom just stayed in that lane and when his dad woke up they were nowhere near where they were heading. A small argument ensued. I sided with his mom completely. Mainly because I would have done the same thing. Adam told me his favorite part was that his mom kept saying "you TOLD ME to stay in this lane" while his dad was saying "I meant the ROUTE not the LANE". I guess traveling brings out the best in couples, ourselves no exception."<3".
Total driving was over 8 hours today once you count bathroom breaks, gas breaks and etc. The last two hours felt like torment because we knew there was nothing to see in between and we wanted to get back to the hotel to have some time for dinner and exploring the area. We stop for gas about 2 hours out and everyone goes pee. I don't have to though, but I try! I power through some liquids and a snack to keep me awake and alert for the last two hours. It's only 2:30 so we'll have plenty of time to relax at the hotel.
Another hour down and one hour to go! Woohoo! I feel a slight urge to pee, nothing bad. I can make it one more hour. No one else has to go so we are all set. 45 minutes left, I definitely have to pee but I'll be ok. 30 minutes left, Wow. Ok. I really need to pee but what's the point in stopping ...I can make it 30 minutes. Adam now mentions...actually...he might have to pee too. We keep driving. And it happens again....the check engine light. There she is, shining all beautiful and flashy again. I look back in my rear view and see the gas tank cover isn't even closed anymore. Adam and I are getting nervous again. Maybe the gas we got wasn't good quality. Maybe there is something really, really wrong with the gas cap? I imagined a weird explosion of two types of gases merging (speedway and shell) and blowing off the gas cap....I tell myself I can google later, but for now, just drive. 15 minutes left, I am not sure I am going to make it to the hotel to pee. Neither is Adam. 10 minutes left just have to get over the Mackinaw Bridge! We got this. Annnnd its down to one lane for construction. Annnd there is a toll at the end. No worries, stuck on a bridge, no way off and having to pee while surrounded by beautiful water and construction workers....After about a 10 minute delay, we make it off the bridge and onto St. Ignace. This is the cutest little boardwalk-y community. Reminds me of Newport. Hotels and inns, bars and restaurants, fudge and candy shops and tourist shopping all by Lake Huron. Boats and lighthouses all throughout. Just the cutest little place. We are driving 25 mph towards the hotel (that was the speed limit) and finally make it to see the beautiful lake front hotel! I forget I have to pee for a minute. Actually less than a minute. I get out of the van and immediately go to check on the gas cap to make sure it hasn't fully exploded off. I open the cover and....the gas cap was never actually put back on. It is still sitting in that holder on the cover that is meant to be used while you are pumping gas. I ask Adam what on earth happened when he filled the tank. He can't remember so I make a mental note to be sure he gets more sleep. I put the gas cap back on, and the check engine light is off again!
We get setup in the hotel and have lake front viewing. At this time we decide we have to see the sunrise in the morning. We then pick a local restaurant for food Mackinac Grille and Waterfront Pub. We get to sit outside on a beautiful deck and have a wonderful dinner. We then walk out to a small lighthouse and enjoy the park, water, birds and scenery. It also feels great to stretch our legs for a bit. After our walk, we get some ice cream and enjoy the town ambiance.
When we get back to the hotel, we do some laundry to get caught up. $10 total for two loads..not too bad. Then we head to the indoor pool around 9pm for some swimming. I am the best pool floater there is. I can float like no one's business (being largely made of fat helps - super buoyant), but also a skill I've worked to master. I try to teach both Gideon and Adam how to do this. One of them learns. One still can't and is 40 years old. We have a blast in the pool and even take a quick trip to the hot tub for some back and feet massages.
Summary: A long travel day but filled with lots of evening fun. Elated to be near the water and in some comfortable beds with clean clothes ready to go! Ended the day at the Holiday Inn St. Ignace, MI.