We had a wonderful dinner at Audie's in Mackinaw City on Saturday night. We were up early Sunday morning and rode the ferry, about a 25 minute ride, to picturesque Mackinac Island. The town is a step back in time as no cars or motorized vehicles are allowed. Multiple ferries bring eager tourists who are anxious to learn about the island, ride the carriages and buy the island's notorious fudge. We enjoyed the day very much, especially the beautiful and bountiful flowers.
Multiple ferries running back and forth to the island
The historic Grand Hotel
Bikes and Buggies
Post Office
Courthouse and Police Station, with bicycles and flowers
Blacksmith shop
Island Medical Center
Beautiful Church
Lovely homes
We walked several streets admiring the homes and the flowers.
A carriage ride around the island and to the Fort.
We enjoyed the 1 hour 45 minute tour of the island by horse drawn wagon .
Carriage Men officially began giving tours of the island in 1869 when the first carriage license was issued. In 1948, the carriage men officially established Mackinac Island Tours. It was the carriage men who successfully petitioned to ban the 'horseless carriages' because they startled the horses. Descendants of the founding carriage men still actively manage the company that was formed over 100 years ago.
Today Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, is the world's largest, oldest, and continually operated livery, with approximately 100 freight and passenger carriages put in motion by 400 horses.
Time for a cool drink.
A little clean up from the street sweeper
Next we visited Fort Mackinac (on the island) where costumed interpreters describe life as a 'red-coat soldier', a storekeeper, or a school teacher. Fort Mackinac is a former American military outpost. The British built the fort during the American Revolution to control the strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan It was the scene of two strategic battles for control of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. During most of the 19th century, it served as an outpost of the U.S. Army. The fort is now a living history museum.
An interpreter explaining a typical school day to children on the tour.
The original siding and nails
Let's see the stores
Fun shopping
One of the prettiest places to eat lunch, The Tea Room, overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.
Wish I could get flowers to look like this in Texas.
Tim and Francie left Tuesday early a.m. to fly back to Austin. We enjoyed having them with us for a short time and hope they will come back again.
p.s. we couldn't resist - we bought a bar of fudge, from Ryba's Fudge Shop.
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