Michigan Junket: Afternoon on Mackinac Island

We waited for the ferry at the dock near our hotel

Pics We crossed from the mainland to Mackninac Island on a newer ferry, a jet boat with a large rooster tail. The last time we were here seven years ago, there were only a few jet boats, but they now seem to make up most, if not all, of the Star Line's Mackinac Island fleet.



We crossed to the island on a ferry like this one

We were hungry by the time we got to the island, as it was nearly 2:00 p.m., so we stopped immediately at the Carriage House. The food (whitefish sandwich for Bob, BLT for me) and Fat Tire beer was excellent, and so was the service. We dined in the garden and were so relaxed and happy there that we even had dessert, the restaurant's daily special, a superb Michigan peach sundae.

After lunch, Bob booked us on a carriage ride, something he's been wanting to do since way before our last visit to the island. My objections were predictable though unfounded: I was afraid the horses might be maltreated and I didn't want to be a party to animal abuse.

I was happy to be wrong in my assessment of the island's horses. In fact, the horses seem healthy and  beautifully cared for. I loved the ride around the island, especially after we transferred carriages at the top of the hill and took a tour through Mackinac Island State Park.



All the horses on the island are owned by the same person and live in the same stable

The only bad surprise: we were dumped close to Fort Mackinac and told to find our way back down the steep hill to the village below.  A second option involved a wait of 30 minutes plus an additional 45 minutes to ride down to the Main Street, which wasn't really an option at all as we had about 30 minutes to catch the 5:30 ferry to the mainland.
Bob's soon to be replaced right knee wasn't up to the challenge, so he held on to me for part of the perilous walk down the path. Fortunately we arrived without incident, despite a fit of the giggles about half way into the treacherous descent.

I enjoyed the carriage ride much more than I had ever expected, but Bob found it a little long, though not as long as he would have it we'd waited for another carriage to take us down the hill.

Michigan Junket: Escanaba to Mackinaw City

Mackinac Bridge

Pics The sun was shining when we checked out of our Best western room on Tuesday morning, so we were looking forward to our drive to Mackinaw City.

Hamilton Hotel from the ferry dock.

The road was busier than we had anticipated, and Bob passed dozens of cars along the way, between the designated passing zones. We stopped a couple of times before the Mackinac Bridge to enjoy the lakeshore and admire the beautiful suspension bridge from a distance.

We decided to check into our hotel early, so that we wouldn't be scrambling for a room at the end of the day. Bob had picked  the Hamilton Hotel for its location directly on the beach, beside the ferry dock. Our beautiful, brand new room was inexpensive ($109), partly because of a $30 AAA coupon. We both thought it was the greatest beachfront room we had ever stayed in, surpassing even another favorite, the Monterey Beach Resort.