Great Lakes Adventure - Lake Huron

Day two of our Great Lakes Adventure began with a ferry ride.  We were
going to Mackinac Island and this was the only way to get there.  The day
was sunny and warm,  perfect for being outside and exploring.

The twenty minute ride gave us a beautiful view of the Mackinac Bridge.

Crossing this bridge leads you into the upper peninsula.  We would cross

it later, but for now we could enjoy it's beauty from a different perspective -

in the water.

The timing of this trip was perfect, because they were having a lilac

festival.  I adore lilacs.  I learned that in Michigan, and maybe lots of 

other places too, lilac is pronounced li-lock.  Here in the south, they

are li-lacks.

However you pronounce it, they smell divine and

they are growing every where on this island.  Look how tall they are. 

They must love this cold climate.

If it hadn't been for the horses doing their business in the streets, the

fragrance of lilacs would be the only thing you smelled.  Yes, horses.  

You see no automobiles are allowed on this island, so you walk, ride bikes

or ride in horse drawn carriages.

Take a look down Main Street.

I can't tell you how much I loved this place.  I sent Mark a text message and 

asked him if he wanted to move here.  He had been here before and his

only reply was - "too cold in the winter".  He's right.  Summer is perfect,

but I would have to fly south for the winter.  Most of the residents are

seasonal, even the governor enjoys a summer residence on Mackinac. 

There are however some hardy folks who live here year around.  With 

no bridge to the island, I wondered how people get off in the winter.  I

found out, they wait for the lake to freeze and then go back and forth on

an ice bridge.  I think that would be a little freaky. So winter doesn't sound

so appealing, but just look how charming this town is in the summer.

I could live here,

or here,

or in any of these,

and if you came to visit, I would have plenty of room.   But if you wanted 

to stay in one of the lovely hotels, I'm sure they would accommodate you.

This is the Island House, built in 1852 and is the island's oldest operating

hotel.

Or if you really feel like a splurge, you could stay in the Grand Hotel. 

 At $650 a night and up, it must truly be grand.

After 6:00 in the evening, gentlemen must wear coats and ties and ladies

wear dresses.  Dining is an event.  I think it sounds wonderful, but I doubt

Mark would go for it.  Oh well,  one can dream.

I loved the churches

 and the stained glass.

and they had the cutest little library ever.  The back doors open

onto a deck looking out on the water and there were comfortable 

chairs to sit in and read.

I would spend my afternoons here, but it's only open for three months 

out of the year.  Another reason I would have to fly south for the winter.

Shannon and I rode our bikes the eight miles around the perimeter of

the island.

I discovered that I wasn't very good at riding a bike and taking a picture

at the same time.  Pretty tricky.

The ride was fun.  We rode right beside the water and saw some beautiful 

things.   This rock is called Arch Rock. ( fitting name, wouldn't you say?).

And of course, I had to get my feet wet in Lake Huron.  It felt great. 

We were getting hot and tired and a quick dip was just what we needed 

to cool off.  We went to the Butterfly House and saw some lovely

butterflies.  

This blue one was especially hard to photograph.  She wouldn't stay still.

Mackinac Island is famous for it's fudge.  This is supposed to be the best

on the island so we had to try it out and buy some to take home to our

families.

It made a perfect snack, when we took a break from our biking.  Just a little

bit will do you.  Rich and so very chocolatey.  My favorite is Rocky Road and

I took a wedge of Pecan Turtle home to Mark.

Doesn't that burn on my hand look nice?  I'm so dangerous with a curling iron,

I really should give them up.  What you can't see is that I also have a burned 

spot on my forehead.  Oops, got a little distrracted there.

We climbed the hill to Fort Mackinac which afforded us  a great view.

Fort Mackinac was founded during the Revolutionary War.  It was used first

by the British and then later by the United States.  The fort remained active 

until 1895.  During these years, Mackinac Island was transformed from a

center of the fur trade to a major summer resort.

We were able to watch a reenactment of a court martial.  I love this kind of stuff.

By late afternoon, we were tired and  ready to take the ferry back to our car.

It had been a perfect day.  Thanks, Shannon for bringing me to this beautiful

island.  I hope to come back again someday and who knows, maybe I will stay

in one of those fancy hotels.

* Summer Goals - Take an interesting road trip.

* MYOF Goals - # 50  Ride bike

                              # 26  Improve my photography skills