Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Mackinac Island

After a very nice buffet breakfast (hot and cold, included in the price), we walked a couple of blocks to the Arnold Line Dock to board our 10:30am Catamaran to Mackinac Island.

Looking out of our hotel window, the sky was grey and the wind was blowing so we assumed it was very cold.  What a nice surprise when we walked out to find it was warm and we were a little over-dressed!  Off came the jackets, which remained tied around our waists for most of the day.  We chose to be on the upper deck to enjoy the view of the bridge and island as we drew near.  It was a pleasant, 20 minute ride.  The only cars allowed on the island are one police car and an ambulance!  Everything else is conveyed either by horse and buggy or bicycle.

In our ‘travel agent’ days we used to tell clients they should take the city tour and then decide what they want to go back to on their own.  We followed our own advice and signed up for a horse and buggy tour of the island.  Actually, it’s called a “Carriage Tour”!  We were fortunate enough to get a front seat so Bill was able to record some of the tour on video which will be posted on YouTube shortly.  We had two very good guides and learned a lot about the history of the island.

Some of what we learned:  80% of the island is dedicated to national parkland but there are no large mammals on the island because there is not enough food for them. An ice bridge forms during the winter between the island and the mainland and some animals come across but leave due to lack of food.  The horses that pull the carriages are purchased mostly from the Amish and cost between $300- $600.  They are absolutely beautiful and are extremely well looked after, working only about 4 hours a day for 4 days and then getting 3 days to relax.  The horses range in size from 2,000 lbs. to 2,700 lbs. and can pull 3 – 5 times their own weight.

Now, with all these horses, the obvious question is: “What do they do about all the horse poo?!”  Well, there are people on every street sweeping it up the moment the horses pass by!  Then it is spread in the forest … talk about recycling!  In fact, everything that can be recycled on the island is recycled because trash has to be taken to the mainland.

Tourists to Mackinac Island are known as Fudgies!  Mackinac Island fudge is known worldwide and on the island there are 16 shops selling all kinds of fudge!  It is difficult to pass up at least a taste of the fudge as you walk Main Street!

For the most part, the weather was great – just a little rain while we were having lunch – then a walk around town to enjoy the beautiful Victorian houses and hotels and back on the Catamaran for the return journey.

Peak season on Mackinaw Island is June 26 – September 6 and the season ends on October 26.  Although the season was winding down, we saw lots of people arriving to stay on the island at the many hotels, the most famous of which is the Grand Hotel, which opened in 1887 and is known for having the longest front porch in the world.   Check out its history at:  http://www.grandhotel.com/aboutgrandhotel/our-story

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