Mackinac Island June

After 15 years!! of living in Michigan, I have NEVER been to Mackinac Island.  I was so unbelievably excited when John had a work trip there AND he was able to bring the family along to enjoy the experience.

It was rainy and yucky riding the ferry over to the island, but I was still excited and couldn't wait to get there.
 
We got off the ferry and I felt like I was walking into Victoria Cape May, NJ where I vacationed for years as a child.  There are no cars but rather horses that transport people around the island.  There are people moseying around everywhere you look.  This place takes you back to when times were simpler and less complicated.  What a breath of fresh air :)

Before we headed to dinner on the first night, we enjoyed drinks on the porch of the Grand Hotel.  The kids enjoyed watching the horses from this spot, and it was beautiful to look over the island.  The skies had cleared, the sun was out, and it had turned into a beautiful evening following the rainy mess we arrived to.
 


We attended a group dinner with all of John's colleagues who were here as well.  It was wonderful!  The dinner was in one of the stables and we sat scattered between old carriages, parts of the history of the island, horses, and people mingling.  The food was delicious, the kids ran around playing, and it was an overall good time.

We took a horse-drawn carriage ride back to the hotel when we were finished.  Hannah thought it was pretty fun, Noah was unsure.
    


Once John's conference was finished we had time to do more exploring with him.  We walked all over the island and shopped in many of the stores.  What a quaint, little main street.  We walked along the water, stopping to play, and get our fingers wet (it was freezing!).  We also enjoyed the Mackinac Bridge as an amazing backdrop!
 

 
 


Some of the sights from the island.  Horse drawn carriages everywhere you turned.  Beautiful lilac tress, they smelled amazing!
 

Stopping to soak in this unique place!
 



What a spectacular sunset over the bridge!


Riding the ferry back.
 

Goodbye Mackinac Island!  Until next time!




After leaving the island, we drove over to Roger's City to have dinner and spend time with John's Grandma Elaine and Gerry.  The kids got a chance to stretch their legs and play, we enjoyed a delicious meal, and wonderful company.  We managed to sneak a quick trip over to John's Uncle Kevin and Aunt Mimi's as well before driving back to Lansing late in the evening.