Island Bound

We spent a long weekend in Mackinac Island, Michigan this summer.  The Husband had a conference and the kids and I tagged along.  It was our first time on the island...and it surpassed our expectations. It is so quaint!! The kids are still talking about our time on "MAC," and can't wait to go back!!!

We took a ferry from the mainland to the island.  Here are the kids waiting for our ride.

My sweet Audrey on the ferry.  She loved the ride!

Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island.  One gets around by walking, biking, or by horse. We brought our bikes and had a blast riding around.  We rode around the perimeter of the island twice (the perimeter of the island is 8.3 miles)!!

A quick stop for a selfie and a water break.

A few of the beautiful sites on our bike tour of the island.

The stairs to Arch Rock, a natural rock bridge nearly 150 feet about the Straights of Mackinac. It was a lot of stairs to climb, but the view was spectacular!

 Breathtaking view of Lake Huron and Arch Rock!

The stairs on the way back down from Arch Rock---much quicker down than up!

Over 80 percent of Mackinac Island is within Mackinac Island State Park.  We took advantage of the extensive hiking trails and got in a few good hikes! 

 One afternoon, the Husband took William and Nora to Fort Mackinac. This is one of the most popular attractions on the island, and dates back to the 1780s.  

William and Nora each got to hold this 125 year old musket.

The fort fires this cannon periodically throughout the day.  Nora thought "it was loud!"

The kids looking on as the historic interpreters displayed games of the 1800s.

Audrey and I choose to spend the afternoon at the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum instead.  We toured the masterpieces of Mackinac, then she did an art project in the Kids' Art Studio to bring home.  

While the Husband was busy learning at his conference, the kids and I took a carriage tour of the island.  It was fun and informative!

We stayed in a lovely Inn on the Main Street.  This was the view from our balcony.  One of my favorite parts of the trip was people watching from up here!

Oops!  This is what a whole bottle of shampoo will do in a jacuzzi when mom turns her back for a second.....

We are looking forward to our next visit!

 Auntie and Grant were vacationing in the U.P. at the same time we were passing through.  It was so fun to meet up with them and have lunch!