Mackinac Island

Wednesday, August 9…

Michigan folks we met way back in Natchez told us Mackinac Island is the place to visit in their state. So this morning we’re on the 9am ferry to the island. (This ferry run also detours to pass under Mighty Mac, a nice little bonus.) As I mentioned yesterday, there are no motorized vehicles on the island, which explains why my first impression of the island was bikes, bikes, bikes! We had reserved seats on one of the 20-passenger carriages, but first we searched (unsuccessfully – but later we had our choice of 17 fudge shops) for a local bakery (cuppa Joe for Greg, muffin for me). Ended up at a so-so Starbucks. 

...and lots of folks riding throughout the town.
(This was one of my favorite homes.)

Lots of rentals available
along the landing dock...

Boarding our carriage, we learned both local history and Mackinaw lifestyle info as our Percherons plodded along. Permanent residents (about 500) live on the “back side” of the island, apart from the commercial tourist area (which operates May-Oct). I was pleased to hear that our carriage driver (college student, like most of the summer crew) was also responsible for the care of her team. It was clear that she also really cared about Vinny & Charlotte. We changed carriages for the second half of the drive. Our new driver was a college student from Romania who spoke impeccable English - I would never have guessed she wasn't a native. She told us she learned English by watching Cartoon Network (in Romania) as a kid. After the official tour, we wandered on our own, split a great burger (patty melt w/ Swiss cheese, grilled onions &1000 island dressing on grilled rye), visited Murdick's (first fudge shop on the island) and eventually returned to the ferry dock. Short line this time, so we got to sit upstairs and enjoy the breeze on the way back. 

Arch Rock

Peekaboo Water View

Fort Mackinac

Marina, viewed from the fort.

Colorful yards are the norm here.

Treat after a successful retrieval.

650' font porch of the Grand Hotel. Classic luxury.

BlogThought...  So we're told there's about 600 horses on the island during tourist season. These harnesses don't include the leather "diaper" we've often seen on other city horses. We did see several human poop scoopers keeping the streets clean... which caused Greg to wonder just how much horse poop was generated. A little research revealed that about 6,000 tons of poop are scooped up each season and recycled as a compost element.

Not my picture, but these could be Vinny & Charlotte.