When we started talking about a trip to Northern Michigan,
everyone said we needed to check out Mackinac Island.
It was supposed to rain again today,
but we took our chances.
Mom booked us on the fastest ferry to the island
and away we went!
We got to cruise under the Mackinac Bridge,
one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Mom and Dad had considered staying on the other side of it
in St. Ignace
but once they saw the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the bridge,
they were glad we were in Petosky
on the other side.
Family pic
Underneath
and now onward to Mackinac!
We got a nice view of the Stanley Hotel
which is this really fancy hotel on the island
known for its HUGE front porch
and fancy luncheon--
girls can't even wear pants in the evenings!
We carted our bikes all the way from Missouri
because there are no cars allowed on the island!
(ok, there are 3--we'll tell you about them another time).
We were psyched to ride M-185,
the only highway in the country
that cars aren't allowed on.
It circles the island for a lovely 8 mile ride.
Totally on our bucket list.
Along the highway,
we stopped to see the sites.
This is Arch Rock from the top
and from the bottom.
Mom randomly saw a good friend from med school here.
Small world!
We continued around the island
with awesome views of Lake Michigan
and Lake Huron.
We needed a family picture at the British Landing
and Devil's Kitchen
After our ride all the way around,
we stopped back in town for
some shopping and lunch.
We tried out the Seabiscuit Cafe
which was a cute little pub right on the main drag.
Mackinac Island is known for its fudge
(there are ice creams that brag about it).
We couldn't decide which place to buy from
so we went on a little fudge tasting tour.
We tried Ryba's, Joann's and Sander's
(like our favorite Costco caramels!).
We inadvertently missed the original--
Murdick's--so I guess we'll have to go back.
We decided Joann's was our favorite,
both for the flavors
and all the free samples they kept giving us.
When we couldn't eat any more,
it was time to ride some more.
I was really excited to see the forts on the island.
Turns out, Mackinac was a really important part
of Native American history
and a part of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.
However,
despite refueling on enough sugar for an army,
Tucker was NOT in the mood for more biking.
It took everything they had
for Mom and Dad to get him to the top of the island.
Here we are at the beginning of the fort tour...
...we'll skip the ugly middle...
and here we are at the top of the island
at Fort Holmes
You can see why they build a fort up here--
you can see for miles in all directions,
all the way to the mainland
We took in the Stanley from the street
and heard them shoot off the cannons at Fort Mackinac.
I think we did just about everything
there is to do on the Island.
It's a beautiful island!
(and the rain stayed away again!)
Full of Michigan charm
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