Bridge to adventure

After three very long months away, we finally returned to the UP over Memorial Day weekend.  I don't know how I made it being away for so long, but once I can see the Bridge in the distance, all that time becomes a distant memory and I feel like I am home once more.  My little brown spotty adventurers realize what is happening too, as I get off of the highway at Exit 338.  They know the routine and it is clear that they understand where we are.  The excitement builds as we drive toward the parking lot, toward the Lighthouse and Bridge view.  We park in "our" spot and they wait not so patiently for me to get them harnessed and ready to go.  I am sure that they wish it were February and not May, because if that were the case, they wouldn't have had to wait. They would have exploded out of the car door and headed directly for the beach.  But tourist season has begun and so they must wait.  As we get out of the car, they sniff the air, stop for a quick potty break, and then head directly to the water, ears blowing in the wind.  It is a brief stop, enough time for us to stretch our legs, get a drink, feel the lake air on our faces and stick our toes in the sand and then we are off to head over the Bridge headed for adventure. Although we never stay long, Mackinaw City holds many happy memories and every trip to the UP starts there.