Dana's Mackinac Island Trip: Day 3

Dana Takes a Bike Trip Around the Island

Dana puts Shia LaWoof in her bicycle's basket and heads out for the 8 mile trip around the island.

The lake is bright blue and clear as glass.  When Dana stops, she can see the rocks at the bottom of the lake for what seems like hundreds of feet out.

Dana rides all the way around the island to a place called "Crack in the Island."  The rocks seem to have split apart, creating a chasm 6 feet deep.  According to a plaque by the site there are more of these on the island, some of them being very,very deep.

Dana rides towards the bluffs as Shia runs around, following behind.  The roads are nice and smooth, probably because there is no car traffic.

Dana can't believe how amazing the trees look.  In some places the branches hang over the road forming a tree tunnel.

As Dana comes out of the forest as he rides past some of the huge houses that are on the island.  Mackinac Island was originally a vacation spot with cottages, but as people discovered it's charm, larger and larger houses were built.  Shia gets tired and barks, wanting to get back in the basket.

This house reminds Dana of the White House.

Shia and Dana come back towards the hotel, passing houses with white picket fences as they go.

Dana drops off Shia and heads back out, this time going to a nearby stable.  She decides that it is time to try the other mode of transportation: a horse. 

 Dana gets to go on a carriage ride with a wonderful horse named Mabel pulling her along.

Mabel takes her on a short trip through the middle of the island, where the trees line the streets.  Mabel doesn't need any direction as to where to go, she just knows the route.  At the end of the trip Dana pets Mabel, saying goodbye.  Before she leaves she notices a hitching post that looks like a horse.

 Another day is coming to an end and Dana has had another wonderful time.

Dana explores more of the island another day…check back soon for more!

Dana's 2nd Day at Mackinac Island

Dana Visits Fort Holmes and Arch Rock

Mackinac Island has two forts; Fort Mackinac, the larger and more modern fort, and Fort Holmes, a British fort built in 1812.  Dana visits Fort Holmes on her second day on Mackinac Island.

The fort sits on the highest point on Mackinac Island.  It is a simple log and earthen building that was restored to it's former glory within the last few years.

The views from the fort are amazing.  Mackinac Bridge and Round Island can be seen from the lookout point near the fort.  Dana can't believe how beautiful the fall colors are.   The landscape is full of oranges, yellows and reds.

As Dana gets ready to walk down the hill a gigantic barge floats between Mackinac and Round Island.  

Dana poses by the 100 stairs that go from the top of the hill at Fort Holmes down to the trails on the main part of the island.

A light snow covers some of the grassy areas on the hill.

Dana goes back to the hotel and picks up Shia.  She takes him for a walk down some of the trails on the inside of the island.  The trail leads through the forest to the lakeshore.  Dana walks along the lakeshore, enjoying the view of the lake.

Shia is loving the walk along the shore.   Dana and Shia walk until they reach Arch Rock.  A huge arch formed long ago by wind and water.

Dana sits on the rocky shore with Shia, petting him, listening to the waves crash against the rocks, and admiring the amazing view.

As they walk back to the hotel Dana spies a beautiful woodpecker hunting for bugs on one of the trees. Shia is glad to back at the hotel, as is Dana.  But she can not wait to explore more of the island the next day.

Check back for more of Dana's trip to Mackinac Island!

Dana's Mackinac Island Adventure

Day 1 of Dana's Visit to Mackinac Island

Dana is super excited for her trip…and so is Shai LaWoof, her puppy.  Dana puts her bags in the trunk of the car, then she puts her seatbelt on and straps Shai in also.  Waving goodbye to the house we set off on the 8 hour trip to Mackinc Island.

There are only a few ways to get to the island from the mainland, the most common is by boat.  Most visitors, including us, use one of the ferries to get across the great lake, Lake Huron.    

"This is so much fun!" Dana squealed as the boat bounced over the waves towards the island.

Once the boat arrived at the dock, Dana sat on the dock for a few photos.

She can see Fort Mackinac from the dock.  "I so want to go there?  It looks really neat!  Look at that cool anchor.  Take a picture of me by it."

After stopping at the hotel to drop off the luggage and Shai, we head off to explore the island.

Mackinac Island has no motorized vehicles on it (well it has some construction trucks, but no private vehicles).  Since 1898 there are two main ways to get around the island: by horse or by bike.  Dana explores the island on her bike today.

Main Street runs along the coast near the docks and is where most of the shops are located.  Dana rides along the street looking into the shop windows, lingering as she rides past a fudge shop.

Mackinac Island was a summer getaway for many people.  It remains a summer getaway for people, but is mostly a tourist destination.  Dana rides past some of the beautiful cottages on the lakeshore.

Dana rides along the boardwalk, amazed at the site of the Mackinac Bridge.

She decides to take a break from riding and throw a few rocks into the lake.  She tries to skip a few, but the waves are too big and they just splash into the water.  It doesn't matter though…it's fun no mater what.

After throwing a few rocks into the lake, Dana hops back onto her bike and heads back towards the hotel.  She rides only the boardwalk admiring the beautiful houses.

She stops at Marquette Park, looking up at Fort Mackinac.  It is high up on the bluff. She can't wait to go to see the fort tomorrow.

As the day dies down, Dana settles into bed.   "Ohhh….I can't wait for tomorrow!"

 Stay tuned for more of Dana's vacation.