Thursday, July 9 – We jumped on the Arnold Mackinac Island Ferry first thing this morning to sail to Mackinac Island. Arnold Ferry is $18 per person compared to the others costing $23 per person. Still a pretty hefty ride for the thirty minute trip – but then again, it's a round trip fare.
Bye St. Ignace.
Hello Mackinac Island.
Round Island Lighthouse.
The Island was bustling at our 9:30 arrival with people lined up for carriage rides ($28 per person) and tours of Fort Mackinac ($23 per person). I guess we're cheap because we refused both. Nice that families could get a family pass for $75 though.
Awaiting the hoards of people.
We walked over 5.33 miles and 12,457 steps according to Paul's iPhone health app. We strolled down main street checking out all the fudge shops and salt water taffy stores. Of course there are hundreds of touristy souvenir places selling every t-shirt imaginable and other things for folks to take home to remember their day at Mackinac Island.
Not your run-of-the mill weathervane.
No visit to the Island would be complete without a visit to the 1887 Grand Hotel….but wait….taken from the website: To enter the hotel and explore our grounds, there is a $10 admission fee. Nope, we will pass on that one. But here is a photo taken from the ferry. It is an amazing place.
We enjoyed several of the old churches, especially Trinity Episcopal Church and Sainte Anne Catholic Church. There is also the Missionary Bark Chapel made from tree bark, being the first church on the Island.
For those of you unfamiliar with Mackinac Island, there are no motorized vehicles permitted on the island. Bikes and horse drawn vehicles are the only mode of transportation, other than walking. There is a circular road around the entire island that tons of families enjoy biking with the kids. You must be cautious when crossing the street, there's bikes flying everywhere and horses too!
Paul's fishing buddies made rest stops on the Island for some beverages and lunches. We stopped some of the familiar taverns like the Pink Pony and the Old Town Tavern. We even sampled a couple brews in memory of the old gang.
Paul really doesn’t drink his beer with a straw, but it was pink. Go figure.
Marsha especially enjoyed the flowers and landscaping. Hundreds of hanging baskets and every historical house and bed and breakfast were surrounded with amazing flower beds all in full bloom. Paul believes Marsha would have made the trip just for the flowers.
By 1:30, we were ready to jump aboard the return ferry to St. Ignace, MI, and return to the Kewadin Casino for a little rest and relaxation. Don’t mess this gem of an island. We had a fantastic day. There is tons and tons to see. The weather is absolutely marvelous with highs in the mid 70’s and lows in the 50’s and best of all no humidity. Makes for good sightseeing and even better sleeping!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
It has been a really long time since we have been there, thanks for the revisit!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun island. We took our bikes with us and rode the whole island and several back roads. You two should have rented bike! I love that they don't allow motorized vehicles. I'm glad Paul is sharing all the stops from his fishing trips! I wonder if the boys all had pink straws on their fishing trips!! Isn't the weather just wonderful up there. Every time we have visited Michigan it has had perfect weather. Nothing like a 70's day without humidity:)
ReplyDeleteThat would definitely be a beautiful place to spend a day. There aren't many places where you can say there is no traffic. Temperature sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us back there with you, refreshes our memories. !
ReplyDeletewe enjoyed visiting the island but due to the stench of all the horse poop we probably won't ever return... glad we were able to do it once nonetheless...
ReplyDeleteJim really thinks we need one of those weather vanes on top of the fifth wheel. The flowers really are beautiful. Everything is turning brown from the heat down here.
ReplyDeleteI've never been there, and doubt I ever will be. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy for what all they are charging these days? It's making me rethink our visit. When my daughter and I were there 4 years ago, we swiftly walked right in to the Grand Hotel behind a family. I realized later we were suppose to pay - I think not! Glad you had wonderful weather to enjoy this special island.
ReplyDeleteWonderful temperatures. Glad the weather decided to cooperate with your plans.
ReplyDeleteWe walked all over this island the day we were there. I agree, there is so much to see. I do remember being very surprised at the $10 fee to walk into the Grand Hotel.
ReplyDeleteWe passed on the $10 dollar charge too, instead we just posed near its entrance with all the blooming and colorful flowers!
ReplyDeleteLove this island except for the horse poops