12th August - Macinac Island

Today we (Mark & Valerie, Allan & Kim and Grant & I) traveled to Mackinac Island. It took about 2 1/2 hours to get there. You have to catch a ferry to get to the island. We went on a jet propelled ferry, that had a very impressive spout of water behind it when going. We arrived at the island just before midday. On the island there are no vehicles (except for a fire engine and an ambulance) so you either have to walk, use a bike or a horsedrawn carriage. There were a lot of bikes and horses (and manure). There is a hospital on the island. They have 1 doctor. There is also a vet clinic and there is 3 vets working there. They have got their priorities right aye? 

First thing we did was having something to eat. Grant and I shared a meat lovers omelette (Grant wasn't sure it would be enough) which was really filling. We then went on a ride on one of the horse drawn carriages up the Island. We went past the fort and the church on the way. Halfway up we stopped (you have to change carriages there) and we went into a butterfly house) There was some really beautiful butterflys there. We took lots of photos.

On the next ride we had a friend of Mark & Valerie (His name was Mark as well) as our guide. He was really funny and very knowledgeable. We then went back down to the town (we were back about 6pm) and we were desperate for some coffee. Grant and I felt like zombies but the coffee perked us up.

Then it was time to get some fudge. Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge. We bought chocolate nut, rum walnut and blueberrie fudge. Yum. Will try to save some until we come home.

Before we left the island we just looked in a few shops. In one of them I saw some really cute things and I took some photos. The sales person asked me if there was anything I needed,,,I don't think she appreciated that I only took photos.

I scored a necklace made out of the Michigan State stone (Petoskey). Thanks Grant 

And we also got something for Freddie but I not telling what until we come home.

Before we went back to Mark & Valeries place we went over the bridge to St Ignace. It was a late dinner (after 8pm) for us. NIce food though.

On the drive home stories were told and a lot of laughter. The best story was told by Kim. Allan & Kim was at the training college and couldn't be home for Thanksgiving. They called to talk to the rest of the family. Britt answered the phone and while she was alking to Kim she was organising a cherrypie with cream. Aunt Iris had been there but had left so aunt Mary had taken a chair away so when Britt came in with the pie (she didn't look if there was a chair) she just plonked herself down..... and landed on the floor and the pie on the wall behind her. You could see the outline of her face on the wall and she was covered with the pie. They all laughed (except Leif and Mark). It most have been an hilarious scene. Like something you would see on AFV. 

It was a long but a great day. We were home around 12.30am. Way past Grant's bed time

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