Station/Boat Location~
USCGC MACKINAW (240')
Date there~
July 2005 to July 2006
Weather~
Hot Humid in summer, the temp reaches high 90's the winters are cold and snowy. Last winter was mild mostly in the low 30's. We did experience a Thanksgiving Blizzard that was my first and I loved it. We lived about 17 miles from town so it really was an experience. Our road was not plowed for three days. Luckily DH was on leave and didn't have to travel back to Marinette WI where the Cutter was still in the Pre Com stages.
Military facilities~
Sault Ste Marie about an hour and a half north, Traverse City about two hours to the south. Sault Ste Marie has a very small exchange same for Traverse City . The nearest Commissary is Traverse City.
Medical~
Dr Baltzer's office is the only one that accepts Tri Care. You can usually get a same day appointment if you call early enough. The only thing I did not like was if I had blood work done or other testing done, it was usually the Medical Assistants that would review the results with you if there were no serious illnesses detected, I am a firm believer in having the physician deliver the results no matter the out come.
Everyone stationed there is on Tri Care Prime Remote. The hospital is Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, small but good staff in E.R. I was bitten by a wasp and had an allergic reaction I was in and out under an hour. If you need diagnostic radiography testing MRI, CT scan etc you have to go to the hospital in St. Ignance. That hospital scared the buggers out of me it looks like something out of the middle ages. It is a very old facility its age really does show. I do not know the status of the Urgent Care Clinic at one time Coasties were able to access it but then the contract was pulled the HSN 1 was working out the details. During the period you could use Urgent Care the staff was wonderful. I had severe back pain and had two follow ups it was fast and efficient.
Housing~
There are four units in a building. It consists of 3 - 3bedroom units and one 4bedroom unit. All units have a one car garage behind the units. There are about 5 of these buildings. There are also about 7 single family units with an attached garage for mainly officers. Housing is located about 2 miles from the Cutter and it's on a cul de sac. There is a tennis court, playground and large field for baseball,soccer,etc. Most Coasties live on the economy, rents are very reasonable. We rented a house that came with 200 acres which included a pond for 550.00 monthly. Rents in town rage from around 350 to 600. Be prepared for high winter fuel costs ours ranged from 450.00 to 250.00 monthly… that was a real eye opener since neither one of us had ever had to deal with propane before. We had friends who used oil for heating their heating bills were not much better.
Shopping~
Very limited Super Wal-Mart, Glenn's Grocery Store, Save a Lot, You Do it Center, some touristy shops downtown cute but pricey. Mackinaw City is 19 miles to the north, very historical and also very touristy. Now that the Old Mac is there it should bring more interest to the area. Too bad Cheboygan didn't get the Old Mac for the museum the city could really use the boost in annual income from tourist dollars. Traverse City is two hours to the south; they have a decent mall and Pier One. Also there is Gaylord which is about 45 minutes to the south. They have a Super Wal-Mart, Dress Barn, Ben Franklin Crafts as well as chain restaurants and stores.
Child Care/Schools~
We had a son in high school, Cheboygan Area High School is great!! The teachers take interest in the student's progress, the Counselor's do care and listen to concerns and actually get proactive in helping with your child’s academic career while at CAHS. Do not know about elementary schools except by word of mouth, parents raved how great they are.
Adult Schools~
Petoskey Community College and North Central Michigan College has night classes at the High School.
Fun Activities~
All sorts of winter sports, Big Mountain has skiing, snow boarding, cross country skiing there are resorts at Crystal Mountain . Snowmobile trails which are well groomed. Summer time, swimming, boating. The Cheboygan County Fair, hiking at Big Mountain as well as Crystal Mountain .
Additional Info~
I would go back to Cheboygan in a heart beat, it is a rural small town the people are very friendly and love the Coasties and their families. To tell the truth the Coast Guard is the main contributor to the economy. If you love country living, dirt roads and one lane highways then this is the place for you.
Homeport MI
USCGC MACKINAW (240')
Date there~
July 2005 to July 2006
Weather~
Hot Humid in summer, the temp reaches high 90's the winters are cold and snowy. Last winter was mild mostly in the low 30's. We did experience a Thanksgiving Blizzard that was my first and I loved it. We lived about 17 miles from town so it really was an experience. Our road was not plowed for three days. Luckily DH was on leave and didn't have to travel back to Marinette WI where the Cutter was still in the Pre Com stages.
Military facilities~
Sault Ste Marie about an hour and a half north, Traverse City about two hours to the south. Sault Ste Marie has a very small exchange same for Traverse City . The nearest Commissary is Traverse City.
Medical~
Dr Baltzer's office is the only one that accepts Tri Care. You can usually get a same day appointment if you call early enough. The only thing I did not like was if I had blood work done or other testing done, it was usually the Medical Assistants that would review the results with you if there were no serious illnesses detected, I am a firm believer in having the physician deliver the results no matter the out come.
Everyone stationed there is on Tri Care Prime Remote. The hospital is Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, small but good staff in E.R. I was bitten by a wasp and had an allergic reaction I was in and out under an hour. If you need diagnostic radiography testing MRI, CT scan etc you have to go to the hospital in St. Ignance. That hospital scared the buggers out of me it looks like something out of the middle ages. It is a very old facility its age really does show. I do not know the status of the Urgent Care Clinic at one time Coasties were able to access it but then the contract was pulled the HSN 1 was working out the details. During the period you could use Urgent Care the staff was wonderful. I had severe back pain and had two follow ups it was fast and efficient.
Housing~
There are four units in a building. It consists of 3 - 3bedroom units and one 4bedroom unit. All units have a one car garage behind the units. There are about 5 of these buildings. There are also about 7 single family units with an attached garage for mainly officers. Housing is located about 2 miles from the Cutter and it's on a cul de sac. There is a tennis court, playground and large field for baseball,soccer,etc. Most Coasties live on the economy, rents are very reasonable. We rented a house that came with 200 acres which included a pond for 550.00 monthly. Rents in town rage from around 350 to 600. Be prepared for high winter fuel costs ours ranged from 450.00 to 250.00 monthly… that was a real eye opener since neither one of us had ever had to deal with propane before. We had friends who used oil for heating their heating bills were not much better.
Shopping~
Very limited Super Wal-Mart, Glenn's Grocery Store, Save a Lot, You Do it Center, some touristy shops downtown cute but pricey. Mackinaw City is 19 miles to the north, very historical and also very touristy. Now that the Old Mac is there it should bring more interest to the area. Too bad Cheboygan didn't get the Old Mac for the museum the city could really use the boost in annual income from tourist dollars. Traverse City is two hours to the south; they have a decent mall and Pier One. Also there is Gaylord which is about 45 minutes to the south. They have a Super Wal-Mart, Dress Barn, Ben Franklin Crafts as well as chain restaurants and stores.
Child Care/Schools~
We had a son in high school, Cheboygan Area High School is great!! The teachers take interest in the student's progress, the Counselor's do care and listen to concerns and actually get proactive in helping with your child’s academic career while at CAHS. Do not know about elementary schools except by word of mouth, parents raved how great they are.
Adult Schools~
Petoskey Community College and North Central Michigan College has night classes at the High School.
Fun Activities~
All sorts of winter sports, Big Mountain has skiing, snow boarding, cross country skiing there are resorts at Crystal Mountain . Snowmobile trails which are well groomed. Summer time, swimming, boating. The Cheboygan County Fair, hiking at Big Mountain as well as Crystal Mountain .
Additional Info~
I would go back to Cheboygan in a heart beat, it is a rural small town the people are very friendly and love the Coasties and their families. To tell the truth the Coast Guard is the main contributor to the economy. If you love country living, dirt roads and one lane highways then this is the place for you.
Homeport MI
