Mackinac Island, Michigan

By Michael

Lisa and I took Shepler's Ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island, riding out under the Mackinac Bridge on the open deck.

On the island we rented a horse and buggy, drive-yourself, at Jack's Livery Stable, with Lisa taking the reins for part of the ride. The route ran along the shoreline road past a limestone rock formation, a marker for the Battlefield of 1814, Wawashkamo Golf Club and the island airstrip, then back past Fort Mackinac's white walls and the grounds of the Grand Hotel.

We stopped for lunch, then in the afternoon went out on an actual trail ride on horseback, finishing with both of us standing next to our horses for a photo. From the hotel balcony that overlooks the harbor, Lisa signed I love you with the ferries and docks below.

In the evening we sat in on a painting class and each came away with a finished canvas of flowers. Dinner was pizza. We stayed on the island overnight, with a lighthouse visible down the channel after dark.

By Michael

We were up early, the sun coming up over the harbor and the boats in the marina glowing pink and gold. Lisa signed I love you at the Mackinac Island State Harbor sign before we walked into town.

Breakfast was on a patio looking out over the docks, eggs and pancakes and sausage while ferries worked the harbor below. Bikes leaned against every porch rail on Main Street, since nothing with a motor is allowed on the island.

We rode out toward Arch Rock and found the sign for the Spring Trail, 207 steps down through the cedars. From the boardwalk we came out at the overlook platform, the limestone arch framing the water and sky below.

From there we picked up the Tranquil Bluff Trail through the woods, stopping at Brown's Brook where the water runs clear over the rocks under the cedar roots, and ducking into a small rock cave along the path for a picture.

Back in town we stopped at the bookstore, where Lisa met the author signing copies of a Mackinac horse book.

By mid-afternoon we caught the ferry off the island. There are no cars on Mackinac, so the ferry is the only way off, and we spent that night on the mainland in Mackinaw City instead of a second night on the island.

We left Mackinaw City in the morning, Lisa with coffee for the ride. The drive south ran through open Michigan farmland, red barns and gray sky over the two-lane road, then into the woods further down.