ST. IGNACE, MI: Highlights of the Past Week - Part 1

Tuesday, Aug. 4    We drove about 3 hours to Marquette to return an item to Best Buy.  The scenery was mostly woods until we approached Marquette and Lake Superior.

Wednesday, Aug. 5   We went to a local print shop to order some more business cards, then visited the  Kewadin Casino to donate our budgeted amount.

Thursday, Aug. 6    We used a Buy One Get Free Coupon from the St. Ignace Money Bag and caught the 9:30 Shepler's Ferry to Mackinaw Island,  sitting in the lower enclosed cabin.  Our voyage included cruising under the Mackinaw Bridge.  Mackinaw Island's docks are adjacent to the island's  main street which is filled with fudge shops, souvenir stores, restaurants, and other places that might entice you to spend some money.



Under the Mackinaw Bridge

We shared the lake with this tanker.

 Approaching the dock on Mackinaw Island.

















 We walked a block to the Carriage Tours loading point, bought our tickets, and boarded our first carriage of the day - a two horse rig that carried about 20 people. 

 The first stop was the Carriage Museum and the Butterfly House. Then we boarded a 3 horse carriage carrying about 30 people.

 


 Our tour took us the through the State Park, with stops at Arch Rock,  Fort Mackinaw, and the Grand Hotel.

Arch Rock

The Grand Hotel

















Back at the Carriage Museum, we took another 2-horse carriage back downtown.  Our tour guides were all interesting people and gave out great information about the island. We saw two things that most visitors don't see. First, one of the horses in a double team pulling a dray fell down and all traffic stopped until he regained his feet - not an easy task for a horse weighing 1500 - 2000 lbs. in heavy harness. Second, a moving ambulance with lights flashing (one of four vehicles on the island - cars have been outlawed since the beginning  of the 20th century) made its way down the crowded streets.  After our carriage tour, we had lunch at the  Mustang Lounge,

then walked around the marina

 




and down the main street

before returning to the ferry dock to await our ferry back to St. Ignace. On our return trip, we sat on the open-air upper deck.



We had another beautiful day to enjoy along as well as learning about some of the history of the island.  After stopping at the local print shop to check on some business cards, we had an early supper with Charlotte and Dave at Timmy Lee's Pub & Grille.