9 Sep - Castle Rock, Curio Fair Tower, Farewell to our Alliance Friends

 

This morning we headed out for some last minute touring.  We were here in St Ignace last year and saw most everything we wanted to except we missed the Castle Rock overlook.  

Castle Rock rises almost 200 ft above lake level.  It was an ancient outlook of the Ojibway Indians and was often referred to as Pontiac's Outlook.  At it's base is a visitor center.  From there, after paying a one dollar fee, you ascend 161 concrete steps to the base of a ramp that takes to out to the edge of a platform mounted on top of Castle Rock. At the bottom is Paul Bunyan and Babe, his blue ox!  

The view is spectacular at the top.  There is a fence surrounding the walkway and observation platform.  The Mackinac Bridge is visible as is St Ignace and Mackinac Island.  

Mackinac Bridge in the background

Coins tossed below for good luck!

Doreen starting back down the climb

The ramp to Castle Rock and a view of Mackinac Island in the distance on the right

A rare view of Sasquatch on the way down

The descend was much easier than the ascend!

Doreen picked up a couple items in the gift shop and then we headed back towards the campground. On the way we stopped at the Curio Fair Tower which is just up the hill from our campground.

  

This wooden hexagonal tower was built in 1954. The outside of the building is covered with sea shells. 

For a one dollar fee you can climb the 100 steps to the top of the tower and then walk around the outside balcony with a great view of Mackinac Bridge.

Heading up the wooden stairs

The entire inside of the tower is covered in graffiti

Doreen at the top, inside of the tower.

Top level with a door out to the balcony

The parking lot below

The Mackinac Bridge in the distance

A distant view of St Helena Island Lighthouse

One of the guy wires supporting the tower.  Wonder when the last time these guy clamps were inspected or the guys tensioned?? (Antenna maintenance guy coming out of me!)

We finished up our viewing and descended the 100 steps back to the gift shop.  Doreen shopped a bit and then we drove to the campground.  Later, the Alliance owners gathered for a farewell campfire and libations.  I believe everyone is departing tomorrow (Friday).  

Tom Taylor, Ed Schellhase, Wendy Deary, Tom Deary, Doreen Schellhase, Daren Woods

Tom Taylor, Gayle Taylor, Wendy Deary, Tom Deary, Doreen Schellhase, Daren Woods

Tomorrow (Friday) we head west a couple hours to the Whitefish Hill RV Park for the next three nights.

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