What I did on my summer vacation...Cont...
We had already spent the night at Stacy's house in Indiana and have spent two days in the car...so far. We stopped to use the potty at Pocahontas IL and I really wanted to yell out the window 'HI LORI' but I knew she was at work and no where near this little gas station/grocery store. And after leaving Stacy's and heading north we stopped where they sell Cops&Donuts:
The further north we drove, the further into the woods we drove. You can see the types of trees we were driving through in the background of the shot above. We never saw the southbound lanes till we reached Mackinaw City. It there was overcast, it would have felt just like Forks straight out of the Twilight series.
As soon as we check in (and Mom changes our room), I am itching to get across the lake to the island. We headed straight to Shepler's Ferry for our ride and after about a 10 min wait we boarded, and of course, Haley had to ride up top. My fly-aways have never been the same. OH, I almost forgot to mention, we left St Louis and 100 degree plus weather and we arrived in Mackinaw City, MI to about 75 the high. It was fabulous! We had to wear jackets. It was great! A couple local girls working in one of the shops actually complained about the humidity there - Mom told her she ain't seen nothin till she visits Missouri.
First night, we really don't arrive on the island till 6pm (only 3 hours past my 'plan' - yes I had a plan, printed, two heavy cardstock 5x7 pages, it's how I roll on vacation). Our first order of business was to grab an island paper, and a few brochures on what we knew we wanted to do the next day (because the plan said so).
The main activity this evening: Seeing the sunset from the Boardwalk. After walking up and down main street - and Haley buying a butterfly hat at the magic store - we sat at the island school which was along the boardwalk and watched the sunset. When I say boardwalk, I mean a sidewalk along the main highway (yes, the island has a highway - M-185 - which only horses and bikes are aloud on). The houses had such character - I loved them! The school was fun to see. They have graduating classes of about 10, after only a few hours on the island I decided we should move there, I would teach at the school and Jason could be a captain on one of the ferry's.
Ferry Boats we rode.
First view of the Mackinaw Bridge - Worlds largest suspension bridge - 5 miles long - BEAUTIFUL. No we did not drive across - there was construction and a 10 min drive would be about an hour - we were done with the car for a few days.
Haley and I on the top deck ready to go!
There it is! 8 square miles of paradise!
We're getting closer! The large white building on the left if the Grand Hotel - houses the worlds largest summer porch. The large white wall and building on the right is the Fort - huge piece of American history - it's fantastic.
Main street - it's it awesome! No cars! Just bikes and horses! I was in a small piece of heaven!
A few of the light house from the boardwalk. Small history - the lighthouse used to be ran by 3 soldiers who took care of it 24/7 while the Fort was occupied.
Mackinac Island Public School view from the front. The building actually spans back away from the lake pretty far. It's a good size building, about the size of Haley's school but just one level.
Enjoying the schools playground while we waited for the sun to set.
Sunset along the boardwalk.
Haley along the boardwalk.
Very shaky picture from inside the ferry of the mainland and the sunset. The waters were a bit rough on the way back. We were exhausted and went straight to bed.
More to come....
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