8/30/2010 MACKINAC ISLAND

We woke to a cacophony of geese calls and the clopping of horses’ hoofs. At 9:30 the trumped sounds of revile and the Star Spangled Banner wafted down to us. Pedestrians, horse carriages and bikers stopped in the streets to pay their respect.

I watched, much to my amusement and amazement, horses being loaded onto one of the ferries. Horses first, then two legged folks. Guess they have to get back to the main land somehow.

HORSES FIRST

It was time to get in gear and start moving over the island. We walked to town and booked our 12:25 carriage tour then hiked up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac where we were greeted by friendly Girl Scouts. They alternate with the Boy Scouts, every ten days the groups switch so both groups get a chance to participate in the activities.

IT'S TOUGH TRYING TO FIND A

PARKING SPOT IN TOWN

So many things to see! We found the school, soldiers barracks, officer’s quarters, hospital and the bar and lunch room then were treated to a demonstration of a riffle firing from soldiers dressed in period uniforms. The view was spectacular for this high vantage point.

DAN ENTERING THE FORT

FORT'S 1889 LUNCHROOM AND BAR

SOLDIER

READY, AIM, FIRE!

VIEW FROM FORT

Our carriage tour took us past the Governors’ Mansion, cottages an up to the impressive Grand Hotel. Here we saw the cottage style Golf Pro Shop and had to laugh at the employee parking lot. Nearing the stables we saw a horse drawn hay wagon loaded down with two heavy round bales. Later we found they did have a forked tractor to unload them. Guess they can have motorized vehicles but not on the roads. We continued on through the Mackinac Island State park and up to the lookout at Arch Rock before ending our ride back in town.

GOVENOR'S MANSION

\GRAND HOTEL

GOLF PRO SHOP

EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT

HORSE DRAWN HAY WAGON

HORSE DRAWN STREET SWEEPER

CARIBBEAN COLORED WATER

THROUGH ARCH ROCK

We grabbed a quick bite for lunch then headed for one of the numerous bike rentals. We were off on our eight mile circumnavigation of the island!! What a beautiful day to be riding. The sea was to our right, the road held no vehicular hazards, the sun was shining gently and the wind was refreshing. Too good.

Oh, I almost forgot to report on the dock’s excitement for the night. Everyone’s back, tucked onto their boats for the night when we all hear a splash and then great bursts of laughter. It seems the boaters just down from us had been bringing their bikes back to the boat after dinner in town. The woman got of her bike and was already on the boat when her husband veered around her bike and, woops, rides right off into the lake. The man was fine, the bike was retrieved but the new I-Phone, well the I-Phone was WET. Roars of laughter swept the docks as guys rushed to join in the fun.

At 10:00 PM we were alerted that it was time to end our day with the haunting notes Taps wafting down from the fort. Day is done.

THESE STAIRS AND POSTS ARE ALMOST

LIKE OURS AT HOME ON VERMONT