Our Memorable Journeys

Day 6 - 9/5/19 - Mackinac Island

We were blessed with another sunny day for our Ferry ride over to Mackinac Island. We caught the 9:30 a.m. ferry which left St. Ignace and first traveled under the Mackinac Bridge for a neat view of the bridge and then across to the island which is surrounded by the waters of Lake Huron and entirely free of gasoline-powered vehicles…..you have to get around on foot, via bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. We took a 1 ½ hour private narrated horse-drawn carriage ride which stopped at all the notable sights such as Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac and Grand Hotel. 80% of the island is undeveloped state park land with many hiking trails and M-185, a paved 8-mile road that encircles the island and is the nation’s only state highway where motor vehicles are banned.

St. Ignace Ferry Terminal

Our ferry arriving

Under the Mackinac Bridge (I-75)

First view of the Grand Hotel

Arriving at Mackinac Island

One of the most photographed and beautiful spots on the island is Arch Rock. This geological wonder is a natural limestone arch standing 146’ over the Lake Huron shoreline—nearly 15 stories tall. It took thousands of years to be created by wind, water, and receding glaciers. The limestone formation was so unique that it was one of the reasons early Mackinac Island residents lobbied for the island to become a National Park in 1875, the second national park after Yellowstone. Twenty years later it was transferred to the State of Michigan.

Michigan State Highway M-185

One of the highlights for us was sitting on the front porch of the Grand Hotel. Built in 1887, the iconic hotel has nearly 400 rooms. The porch is the world’s longest at 550 feet from end to end….more than 2 football fields! It has 147 planting boxes with 12 yards of potting soil and nearly 1,500 red geraniums, the hotel’s trademark flower. We enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch in the hotel’s Grand Dining Room.

Our carriage driver, Tom, along with his trusty team, Pat and Ruby, took us through park lands, past the Governor’s summer residence, Little Stone Church, and many lovely Victorian summer “cottages”. One other notable landmark on the island is a national cemetery, where the flag permanently flies at half mast. It is one of only five locations in the country that permanently fly the flag at half mast. Can you guess the other 4 locations? Answers will be in tomorrow’s post….no cheating.

Our Driver Tom

Pat and Ruby

Governor's Summer Residence

Trip Index

Previous Day

Next Day