• Wednesday-What'sUP February 25 - 07:18 pm

When Kathleen Peterson from St. Ignace saw the photos of Mackinac Island last week, she thought she'd pass along a few shots of her own. Kathleen and her friend, Samantha (Litzner) Belonga crossed the Ice Bridge that forms from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and snapped these photos along the way. She said that they've been crossing for about a month now and that the Ice Bridge has been great this year. It gives freedom to the people that live on the Island all winter long, since they don't have to take the plane to get on and off the Island. I'm assuming once you get over to the Island, you're also able to ride your snowmobile around. It must seem strange to hear the motors humming, rather than the clip-clop of the horses hooves you normally hear when there in the summer months. I'd love to visit the Island this time of year and experience the quiet of no tourists and crowds.

Snowmobiling ice bridges is among the smoothest ride, as long as the conditions are perfect for it. Hubby and I have crossed the 12 mile long ice bridge between Bayfield, Wis, over to Madeline Island. Met up with a lot of dog sledders passing by.

But the water doesn't always freeze - I took the ferry from St Ignace to the island one New Years day - so I would be terrifed to go across on a snowmobile. What if you hit thin ice?

A Mackinac Island man died Saturday crossing the ice bridge. News reports vary as to the cause. He called via cell phone saying he had troubles with his snowmobile and needed help. Before they got to him he called back and said he had made it to St. Ignace. He was found on the ice near St. Ignace. The snowmobile hasn't been found. Speculation is that it went to through the ice and he froze.

Hi
I had heard that they used to mark the ice bridge with a line of old Chritmas trees, "planted" via digging a hole in the ice, in order to show where the safe ice was. I don't know if that's true, though.

The trail from the Dollar Bay side to Dreamland was marked with trees before. Is that still done?

Just some facts...
Yes, they do mark the Ice Bridge with old Christmas trees. Locals drop them off after the holidays so there are plenty of trees to mark the trail.
Yes, there was a gentleman from the Island who was found Sunday morning near the Coast Guard Station, which is quite a distance from the Ice Bridge. According to the St. Ignace News, his snowmobile has not been found yet. There was a lot of blowing snow on Saturday.
Yes, there is thin ice sometimes. You have to ride with caution every time you go out on the ice because the ice does shift with the wind and the currents. But a lot of people cross with no problems. Remember, you cross at your own risk.
Yes, some years there is no Ice Bridge because conditions aren't right for the bay to freeze.

Bob Jewell, Farmington Hills (Rjewell):
"A Mackinac Island man died Saturday crossing the ice bridge."

1. From the Sault Ste Marie Evening News, Mon Feb 23, 2009 …
Click → Mackinac Island man found dead on Lake Huron.

2. From the Sault Ste Marie Evening News, Tue Feb 24, 2009 …
Click → Details emerge in weekend fatality.

It is probably easier to get to the island in the winter, and cheaper. Its too bad when those accidents happen.

Hey folks, I have a question for anyone/everyone. I posted it in the What's Up area, but it doesn't seem to be too active over there today.

I'm coming back to the UP for vacation this summer (July). We are thinking about spending some of our time camping at Misery Bay. I've never stayed in the Toivola area. We want to do some fishing while we're up there, and I was wondering if the Misery River is a worthwhile place to walk inland and drop a line. If not, can you suggest some good fishing holes around the area where a person might find some good trout and/or some walleyes?

Go to www. cnn.com and find the story of- The 'Thumb' of Michigan and click on the ireport.

Is this the same Katie that works at George's car repair shop? If it is then we met her when we were in St.Ignace last August. I needed new tires on my car and my moms van's alternator took a dump. George's was quick and more then fair with the price. They could have really charged us up the wazoo because we were from out of town and had no where else to go. Katie was awesome as well as everyone else that worked there.

That first picture could be our friend, Pennie. Kind of looks like her. But I know she only goes there in the summer. I prefer the Big Mac in the summer too. But then, I prefer most things in the summer, lol.

There are some videos of The ice bridge on youtube. They are pretty cool. Though I would never try it.