The ice has thinned enough for ferries to give round-trip service
ST. IGNACE, MI -- The winter has lingered long enough for a lot of us.
For island residents, they have been ready to get off!
Wednesday, Ferry services started back up to and from Mackinac Island and residents were quick to get on the ship!
In St. Ignace, locals say it's the calm before the storm. There's not much going on and the city is pretty quiet but soon enough, tourism will pick up. Wednesday, one of the missing links was put back in place.
"Absolutely look forward to this day. This brings Mackinac Island and St. Ignace to life, Mackinac Islands lifeline, right here," said Kathy Chambers-McBride.
Chambers-McBride showed up to the Arnold Line Dock today waiting with others for the Island people to step off the boat and onto the main land for the first time.
The Ferry "Huron" busted and cut through the chunks of ice. It docked for the first time this year in St. Ignace, full of Mackinac Island residents who flocked onto the mainland's freedom.
"I’m getting on the plane and I'm flying to Pineheart, North Carolina to go play golf for a couple of days," laughed Ron Dufina, an Island resident.
Captain Keith Duffton said he was warmly welcomed by the Island when he showed up with his ferry for the first time this year.
“Yeah they're happy. It's been a while since they've been able to get across as far as either boat or snowmobile, so yeah, they're real happy," said Duffton.
It's not just a chance to take a Spring vacation and go golfing. It’s also the easy way for people use it to come across and pick up what they need.
"It’s going to be picking up now, yes, we're always happy to have the Island people back on the mainland here," said hardware owner Philip Ruegg.
Rakes and bikes are two popular items at the Ace Hardware. The grocery store is also a popular place. Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud was off the island stocking up.
"Seeing new things, especially for Easter, and just happy we can get to the mainland now," said Doud.
And Mayor Doud says this is the first glimpse of Spring.
