Mackinac Island

Once Tom Hunter of Belmont, mentioned this Island where cars are not allowed. I wasn't sure we would ever see it.

Today we are still touristing. A day trip to Mackinac Island. On this Island we lost a couple battles to the British out of Canada. There is a fort there. The Island had been under the Crown a couple times and under teh stars and stripes a couple times. A unique place in the Motor state, motor vehicles were outlawed in 1898, and are still not allowed on the island.
We took the Sheplers line for out transporation, $21 per person if ordered on line. Being very cheap tourists, we almost did not go. the boat took us under the Mackinac bridge that connects the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the rest of the lower state. (The host hinted that Mr. Hoffa may be in one of those stanchions) Have you ever noticed he is in every road and dam built the year he disappeared? Now he probably is on one of them.

Some of the ferries to the Island are unique that they have a rooster tail when they are underway, they are sure easy to spot.

This is one of the many hotels on the island. The Lilac tree.

Transportation is either horse drawn or bicycle drawn, no motor vehicles on the road.

An example of hauling luggage from some of the boats to the hotels.

Beautiful colorful homes are scattered on the southern tip of the Island.

There are many churches on the island, this is St. Ann's Catholic Church. Beautiful architecture.

There are so many beautiful flowers, I took many, but only have room for some.

Sherry standing in front of the (I forgot). The complex has belonged to many different groups. From churches to colleges, Even Rex Humbard bought it for a college and later sold it to the state forest service.

I lost the horses, I did this once in Italy. fortunately we did not have far to walk.

This young lady was towing a kid and talking on the cell phone.

Bicycles are ever where, even have flowers planted in them. HA!

Here we have been walking for about an hour and have reached the Arched rock.

A nice young lady took our picture under the arch. Legend had it that a beautiful Indian Princess was tied up above the rock. She cried for her lover and her tears washed the arch in the rock, she never got her lover. Shame!

Fort Mackinac is high above the town below where we landed. We have now been walking about an hour and a half. (We need a horse).

The Governor has a summer house here, this is the view from his front yard.

Every time I see an Episcopal Church I think Father Tim pastors there. Father Tim is the center character of the Medford series written in the Boone/Blowing Rock setting by Jan Karon. A super series if you have not read it. This church was built in 1637. 300 years before Sherry!

The top hat on this driver signifies this cover and enclosed carriage is from the Grand Hotel, the classest place on the Island. I was told today by a Volunteer that we should go up and sit ont he porch, it only costs $10 to sit there and relax to enjoy the view. He said we could also enjoy the best buffet on the Island for $40 a head (they would deduct the $10 for porch sitting). We opted out. Rooms start at $850.00 a night! Is that possible??? MY kind of people!!!!

The last sign we read before getting on the ferry to come back that there were NO vacancies on the Island for tonight. I know there are many places cheaper than $850!!!

Moving Cargo on the Island via flat bed wagons and tag along carts.

And Lastly, they must bring the hay in from the mainland for the horses, no farming here.

Oh, one other thing. I missed it because I did not have the camera ready. They have a guy that rides around on a three wheel bike with a big container on the back. He has a shovel, he shovels sh-- All day. They do not force these horses to face the indignities of wearing diapers as they do in New Orleans and Ft. Lauderdale.

We returned to the mainland satisfied that the day was worth the expense. We probably will never go back, but I would suggest the trip if you are ever up here. the boat ride is great. The whole time out on the Island we both had the feeling of the North East, Martha's Vinyard, etc. It is a quaint little (wealthy) place.

Thanks for going with us to Mackinac Island. A Volunteer told us that Mackinac is pronounced Mackinaw. I wans to end it like Cadilac.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
Sherry’s advice to young ladies:

The children of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years. Even in Biblical times, men wouldn't ask for directions.

If he asks what sort of books you're interested in, tell him check books.