Mackinac Island . . . oh and a new calling.

My parents have lived in Michigan for a number of years now but I had never been to Mackinac Island (say Mack-i-naw but don't ask me why) so my mom wonderfully took the girls for the day and I went with my brothers Jeff and James up to the island and saw all the sights!

The island is part of the state of Michigan and is about halfway between Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.  The only way to get there is by ferry and there are NO CARS on the island at all.  Even for year-rounders (of which there are only about 500).  So we got our ferry tickets early in the morning and took off!

When I think of a ferry I think slow boat to China but it actually was very fast.  The ferry took us under the Mackinac suspension bridge that connects the UP to the mainland.  It's the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere, even longer than Golden Gate in San Francisco.

 They filled us in on fun facts about the bridge as we rode -- including that 360 cars run out of gas on the bridge every year.  And apparently they have driver assistance for those who are too scared to drive over.  That would've been me I think!

 As we get closer -- there she is!  The Grand Hotel!  Built in the late 1880's, it is a beautiful Victorian hotel that will run you $250-$3000 a night and was the site for the 80's film Somewhere in Time staring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.  It's a terrible movie by the way.

 The island is also covered with beautiful vacation homes, bed and breakfast's, hotels, and shops.

 And the views of Lake Huron are awesome!

 There is a "road" that runs the perimeter of the island and is about 8 miles long.  We rented bikes and rode around it.  Let me tell you, I hadn't been on a bike in about 10 years and it was shaky getting going again.  It didn't help that I think I got the strangest bike on the island . . .

 You can also rent a horse and carriage or ride just a horse itself, or go on a tour in a horse drawn wagon.  Lot's of options but they all cost money of course.  The biking was fun but next time (if there is a next time) I think I'll do the wagon tour and get some more useful information.  Signs like these:

were not so helpful.

 I coveted these houses.  I want a summer home here I think.  Or maybe just a vacation when the kids get older.  It was beautiful and we had absolutely perfect gorgeous weather for it.  I don't think I would want to be a year-round resident and pretty much snowed in all winter though.

 The water is so clear and blue and the lake is so big that there are waves like the ocean.  It was just stunning.

 The big deal on the island is there fudge and it's a soft-set fudge that was fun to watch them make.  I know this is a terrible picture but you can kind've see him paddling it around.  Every shop gives you samples so you can get pretty full of fudge without actually buying some.  But I did anyway.  It was good!  I recommend double-dark pecan.  Ok now I'm hungry again . . . 

 You can't actually go up to or inside the Grand Hotel unless you are a paying guest or buy the $10 tour ticket.  We didn't.  But we did sneak through the bushes (literally) into this garden to get a great view of the front of it.

 We had a good time even though it doesn't look like it.  I really enjoyed spending time with my brothers.  They're fun guys that I don't get to see to often.  And they're both single if anyone is interested . . . 

Anyway, if you're going to be in the area -- I highly recommend it.  It was a great day trip.

Oh yeah, and I was released from Primary Secretary and am now 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society.  I need to catch up on my lessons!