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We have been blessed. More good weather.
One of our key goals from the beginning was to visit this island. We had three activities considered must dos: The Grand Hotel porch, a carriage ride and a bicycle ride. We did all three today.
We made an early walk to the Visitor's Bureau to pick up a tour map. Next we walked uphill along the Marquette Park to get a look over the city. We chose not to visit the Fort which was along this route. As we returned, we decided to take the carriage ride to see more of the island. It took us west along the main street and then a block off the main street with our driver pointing out many historical homes. Then we entered the area where all of the island's horses are maintained. The tour company had a pavilion in this area and we exited our two-horse carriage and departed into the interior of the island on a three-horse carriage. This route took us along the island cemeteries and then to the famous Arch Rock. It looked just like it's photos. From here we returned to the back gate of Fort Mackinac. We jumped
off here and walked back down to the hotel.
After lunch (an ice-cream cone), we decided to rent bikes for a short ride. We chose the single gear, fat seat models. We started east and biked all the way to the Arch Rock (about 1.5 miles) to get a look from the bottom of it. From there we returned through town to the west about a mile to Cave Rock (that's my name, not sure of real name). Then back to return the bikes, just across the street from our hotel. At this point I realized that I did not have my glasses. I was wearing my sunglasses and felt certain that I had my glasses in my pocket. But to make certain, we returned to the hotel to see if I had left in the room. Nope, they were not there. So, I returned and got another bike to retrace my ride to see if I could find them. I did the 2.5 mile round trip in record time but did not find them. I was depressed. The glasses were new and I did not have an extra pair with me.
After returning to the hotel, Jackie
Carriage Tour
We did a two hour tour around the island. We learned a lot about the island but also about how they train and threat the beautiful horses. insisted that we go back and walk part of the route in the city center. Along the way I stopped in the Visitor's Center. Wow, to my great pleasure, someone had turned them in and they had them. By coincidence, we saw the agent at the center that morning when we picked up the tour guide. Plus, the day before she sold us a bottle of wine in a local store. I told her that she was my lucky charm. Jackie had walked ahead still looking for the glasses when I called her to come back. She said that she had prayed to Saint Anthony for them to be found. I guess that explains how I got them back.
About 5:30 we walked over to the Grand Hotel. Our plan was to pay the $10/person fee and have a glass of wine on the porch. To our surprise, there was a convention of Win-Some Women taking place at the hotel. They are opposed to drinking and the entire property was dry for this day! What the heck! So, we just did a 'self tour' of the hotel and took some photos on the porch. We heard that all of
Carriage Tour
Our first view of the famous Arch. But not our last. the rooms were rented to this group. That answers why when I tried to book a room it was sold out.
We were not too disappointed. We had dinner at a Grand Hotel restaurant at the base of the hill then headed home. We think we met all of our goals. Tomorrow we are headed to Munsing, Michigan to cruise out to the Pictured Rocks.
Goodnight.
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