We have left the eastern cities and toured west, even dipping into the States for a campground in Sault (pronounced Sue) Ste. Marie. While there we thought to take an excursion to Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island. Today the island is reached by a 15-minute ferry, the island has no motor transportation, but it is bicycle, ped power or horse drawn carriages only. We brought our bikes and took the 8.2-mile ride along the stunning coastline. We also sprang for a posh lunch at the classic Grand Hotel, where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed.
One thing of note about the island, we consistently felt a quiet calm on the island, even though it is a tourist destination. Even the lunch we enjoyed, a room of a thousand dinners seemed tranquil. As we rode around the island there were signs with the history of the island, the story being told one sign every mile or so. This island was called Michidimackinac (Land of the Great Turtle) by the Ojibwas and Odawa People and is considered sacred, the turtle having a mystical meaning. The waters on the great Lake Huron were a wonderful color of aqua to deep blue, the sun shining—a perfect day.
Continuing back up into Canada we have travelled to Thunder Bay along the coast of Lake Superior (the Ojibwas called it Gitche Gumee: The Shining-Big-Sea water). It is wonderful to chant Ram Nam as we move along the highways, some rough, some smooth, a lot of summertime road work in an area where winters are rough on all the infrastructure. There have been wonderful vistas along the way of these great lakes. Nature’s Cathedrals are in great abundance here, and what stands out is that God is present in all the places we have travelled, seen in all people—enough to represent all the races and many of the nations of the world.
“Oh Lord, You are the all in all. You have taken your pilgrims upon this journey so that we might know that Your Spirit is to be found in all places, all people. This vast creation is Your playground, and while it can be rough play, nevertheless You are ever-present—a Guide, Comfort and Protector for Your devotees. Certainly, life can take a deleterious turn from a human standpoint, but when seen correctly, it is only You, only You. Oh Beloved, take the scales from your eyes, unstop our ears, and open our hearts so that we may see only You, hear only You, love only You.”
