Staking ground, making a reservation or two

I've made our Mackinac Island reservation. Eschewed the Grand Hotel, which sounds lovely but more than we needed (in terms of amenities and cost) for a one-night stand. Any place with a dress code for dinner is not going to be part of this trip and I figure we can walk over and have tea or a drink to check the place out. Gave me a Greenbrier vibe and that's not quite how I see this trip.


Have booked the Lake View Hotel. It's right by the ferry dock, will give us a nice view of the action along Main Street, and was one third the cost.

Question: does anyone have an opinion on whether it's better to leave the car in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace? I'm leaning toward the latter but would love some feedback.

Next issue: where to stay in Door County. Sturgeon Bay seems like the busiest area and somehow Sister Bay is calling to me. Could be because there's a recommended restaurant -- Mission Grille -- and why not let food be the determinant. Have found three or four possibilities but would really LOVE some recommendations from those of you who know that area. I figure I need to reserve that spot since that's the height of tourist season there.

Sounds like we'll be meeting up with Jim Nicholson and family in LaCrosse as they had east and we head west. I love that idea!

Now it's on to figuring out South Dakota and Wyoming and how to see the most without ending up embroiled in the motorcycle rally in Sturgis! My brain hurts already!