Mackinac Anniversary

 PH and I just returned home from a three day trip to Mackinac Island as guests of our daughter, son-in-law and the girls.  This trip was to celebrate our 50th anniversary, a pretty special milestone, if you ask us. 

Mackinac Island is a pretty special place, too.  It's held dear to the hearts of we who live in Michigan, it's unique, and strives to be so. 

If I knew how to draw an arrow or circle on this photo I'd do it, but I don't so, focus on the very tip of the mitten. Do you see that little orange square and across from it that little red dot?  Look to the immediate right.  That little island labelled Mackinac I.  That's it.  To get to the Island (by the way, Mackinac is pronounced MackinaW, the C is silent and the surest way to announce you are NOT from Michigan is to pronounce that C.  So don't.

The entire island is a state park and 8.2 miles around and the very first thing bazillions of people do when they get off the ferry that transported them to the island is to rent a bicycle to cycle around the island. Some brave the hills and ride through the middle, too.  There is no camping on the island.

No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island.  No cars (there is one ambulance and one firetruck kept well hidden for emergencies) and not even electric bicycles.  The charm and draw and uniqueness of the island is that there are no motorized vehicles.  The ONLY way to get around is by your own feet, a horse's feet, or a bicycle. 

The horses are Percheron draft horses who are coddled and spoiled.  They do all of the work so they deserve to be.

They do ALL of the work!   There are ferries that bring hordes of people to the island every 30 minutes, most are day trippers but if you are staying at one of the hotels or resort homes you bring your stuff with you.  The horses bring absolutely everything from the docks to the people who need it.  

Our daughter ordered a taxi to take us to dinner Wednesday night.

Of course, this is the price of living in the Old West!  Years ago there was a scientific investigation into why the fly problem was so bad on the island.  It was determined that if you were diligent in cleaning up the deposits you would take care of the fly problem.  It was obvious but extra diligence was what did the trick and now the flies are gone. 

Listening to the clip clop of horse hooves on the street can have a napping effect on a person. 

The other way to get around is by bicycle.  We ( read: I ) tried to imagine how many bicycles are on this island.  There are so many lists to consider:   the bike rental businesses,  the 1,000 workers who each own about 2 bikes,  the 500 year round residents who have who knows how many because there are no cars in their garages,  the individual hotels and Inns have a stable of bikes and the many people who bring their own bikes on the ferries.  We stopped trying at around 7,000.   There are many.  

You can walk down the middle of the street and not fear cars but the people driving the horses do NOT veer for you, you just have to be smart enough to get out of the way of two Percheron draft horses.  The people on bikes are more of a hazard.  They get off the ferry, race to the nearest bike rental and off they go, zig zagging down the street trying to take selfies while riding, not thinking there are people out there who are NOT on a bike.  

Mackinac Island homes 500 people year round but is open for business and visitors for about 6 months, April through October.  After that the main street tourist fudge shops, t-shirt shops and all restaurants but two close up for the winter.  In that approximate 6 months the island hosts two million people. 

The people who work in those shops and restaurants and drive the carriages and keep the place running for our enjoyment come from all over Europe, the Caribbean and the U.S.  The young people travelling here have 4 month work visas.  They come to work, learn English, travel a bit before going home and applying for the next summer.  

OK, that's the background. I'll share a couple of photos another day of our fun. If you've ever been to Mackinac Island, when you hear the name you smile. If you've never been, then, well, maybe someday.