Michilimackinac (pronounced as Mish-i-li-mack-i-naw) is the area between the Lower and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is the region around the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The name Michilimackinac has been a subject of debate among scholars but it is widely understood as a Michigan Native American term that means “The Great Turtle” referring to the shape of Mackinac Island.  This is where hubby showed me three subjects I am very passionate about : a story of Native Americans, a lake, and a lighthouse.

The Straits of Mackinac functioned as a fur trade summer depot so Fort Michilimackinac was built by the French originally as a trading post, not for military purposes. It was later taken over by the British. The Native Americans, captured the fort after they massacred most of the British garrison, but the British re-garrisoned the fort in 1764 and abandoned the area in 1780 when they moved to Mackinac Island and established Fort Mackinac.

With an actor playing as a Native American at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With an actor playing as a Native American at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
A tipi and drying fur at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
A tipi and drying fur at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
An actor playing as a French trader at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
An actor playing as a French trader at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
One of the residences inside Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
One of the residences inside Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
The church inside Fort Michilimackinac, MIchigan.
The church inside Fort Michilimackinac, MIchigan.
One of the residences inside Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
One of the residences inside Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Inside one of the residences at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Inside one of the residences at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With an actor and an actress at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With an actor and an actress at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With actors playing as British soldiers at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With actors playing as British soldiers at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With an actor playing as British soldier at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
With an actor playing as British soldier at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Acting as a British soldier at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Acting as a British soldier at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Hubby and I at the gate of Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Hubby and I at the gate of Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.

The Mackinac Bridge is regarded as the dividing line between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. This represents the narrowest point between these two connected bodies of water. From Mackinac standpoint, the left of the Mackinac Bridge is Lake Michigan and the right is Lake Huron.

Lake Michigan with Mackinac Bridge as the background.
Lake Michigan with Mackinac Bridge as the background.
Hubby and I with Lake Michigan and Mackinac Bridge at the background
Hubby and I with Lake Michigan and Mackinac Bridge at the background
Peek of Lake Michigan and Mackinac Bridge from Fort Michilimackinac watchtower.
Peek of Lake Michigan and Mackinac Bridge from Fort Michilimackinac watchtower.
Lake Huron and Mackinac Bridge, Michigan.
Lake Huron and Mackinac Bridge, Michigan.

While the Straits of Mackinac was critical to the trading system, it was also hazardous. So the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse was built to guide ships to a safe passage. I guess why I love lighthouses is the fact that it beacons and it guides, and in this life, we all need one.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse at Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.

This is my story of Michilimackinac where hubby treated me with an encounter with a Native American, showed me lakes, and showcased a lighthouse. Is it Christmas yet?

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