Castle Rock

Castle Rock, St. Ignace, Michigan
9/21/2017  dwm photo

In my mind, there are roadside attractions and there are roadside attractions.

A good roadside attraction is something with an organic or genuine feel.  It belongs there.

Maybe it's related to history, geography, or geology.  The touristy roadside attractions have merit, but they could be located anywhere and be just as relevant.

Just north of St. Ignace, Michigan we found one of those good roadside stops.

St. Ignace, named for Ignatius Loyola a priest, explorere, theologian and founder of Jesuits, is a sister city of Mackinaw located on the north side of the Straits of Mackinac and a short ferry ride from the Island.

From a distance we could see a flag flying off a rocky outcrop above the landscape.  It attracted us to check it out.

Climbing the Rock.
(dwm)

From five miles away, I said if there was a way to get to the top and it didn't cost a lot; I was in.

We pulled into the parking lot of the Castle Rock Roadside Attraction and saw the sign offering the opportunity to climb for $1 - let's go! 

C.C. Eby bought the rock and adjacent building in 1928 and opened to the public.  The Eby family continues to operate it. offering plenty of souvenirs and stickers to those who make it to the top.

The rock itself is known as a sea stack or chimney - limestone not washed away by a melting glacier.  The top is nearly 200 feet above the surface of nearby Lake Huron.

The final climb across the chasm.  (9/21/17 dwm)

I paid my dollar, followed the painted footprints to the exit, took a couple of photos, walked past Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and began climbing.

A couple visitors were coming down. I asked if it was worth it.  They said got only as far as the first landing before coming back down.

The concrete steps have a sturdy metal railing on either side.  The steps are strong, but the years have moved them to different heights between steps.  Pay attention!

Photos at the top.
The highway(background) is far below.
(dwm)

 After climbing the steps there is a ramp to the top.

The ramp feels sturdy and with the sides covered for a sign advertising "Castle Rock," it seems like an easy walk.  It didn't bother me.

The Mackinac Bridge 5 miles
in the distance. (dwm)

The couple who climbed ahead of me were taking pictures of another couple and taking in the view.  He didn't want to go near the edge.  As he set up to take his companion's picture, I moved out of the way.  She asked me to stay; saying she felt better with someone else nearby.

My sticker!

The view is impressive.  4.7 miles south it's possible, on a clear day, to see the towers of the Mackinac Bridge.

Lake Huron stretches out to the south and east.  Mackinac Island looks to be a stone's throw away and
a carpet of pine forest fans to the north and west.  It's quite a sight and a worthwhile experience if you can manage the stairs.

Don't leave your head up there, pay attention and hold on the rail, so the uneven steps don't cause a fast trip back to ground level..