My vacation to northern Michigan was special to me for many reasons. "Up North" Michigan is not so much a place, but a state of mind - a place better spent with family. A place where you leave your stress behind and just enjoy your time together. A place that brings back memories of trips from childhood and a place to make new memories.
We spent our time this trip, in Mackinaw City and took a ferry for a day trip to Mackinac Island. We were staying at a beautiful hotel with a view of Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge. This bridge separates the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and the Straits of Mackinac separate Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The first thing I did was put my feet in the waters of crystal, clear Lake Huron.
Mackinac Island is a special place. There are no cars at all and the only forms of transportation are bicycles or horses. If you stay in a hotel on the island, your luggage is delivered to your hotel by a horse and carriage.
Mackinac Island consists of a main street with shops, hotels and restaurants as well as many inns and cottages throughout the island. The Grand Hotel is perhaps the most famous. Fudge shops abound on the main street and most people do not leave without purchasing some delicious fudge to take home.
One of the things you can do on the island is rent bicycles and ride around the perimeter. This 8 mile ride is leisurely and beautiful, with no cars to worry about. We had a great time!
One of the last things we did before catching the ferry back to the city, was visit Fort Mackinac. This historic fort dates to the 1700's and was built to protect the fur trade. It changed hands several times between the British and the American forces. There are self guided tours of the various buildings and even the firing of a cannon.
Other things we did on our trip included a dinner at a crazy restaurant called Legs Inn which is full of wooden carved tables and chairs and stuffed animals, rafting down the Sturgeon River and my favorite thing of all, a Lake Michigan sunset. We definitely made some new Michigan memories and spent some precious family time together :-)
Vicki
Posted with Blogsy
Beautiful pics and looks like you had a great time! You totally captured Mackinaw's finest. We haven't done the bike trip around the island in years but spent a long weekend every summer in that area when I was a kid so I know it well. I'm looking forward to taking the kids on the first trip they will remember (took Princess when she was about 2) next summer.
ReplyDeleteYou you will love the bike ride with the kids :-)
DeleteVicki, love your pics! We have some that are very similar from a few years ago. The UP is so beautiful and relaxing. Your post brought back some very happy memories for me.
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteNever been to Michigan before, but it looks beautiful! Looks like you had a great time :)
ReplyDeleteCaitlin
http://charmcolorfully.blogspot.com/
I love Mackinaw Island. Totally takes me back to my childhood! Last year we rented the bikes and toured the island. Love it. When you say "up north" is a state of mind - you are so right!
ReplyDeleteThe bike ride was the highlight of the trip!
DeleteWow I am putting this on my list of places to visit. I have always heard about it but did not know it was this awesome! Thanks for sharing! :) I don't normally go to colder places for vacation but that looks like so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun time! That us definitely a place that I would love to visit!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sunshiny post! That pic of you and your friend on the bikes screams sunshine! Ya'll are pretty girls! what a great post and beautiful pics! Thanks for linking up!!
ReplyDeleteSUmmer
Wow!!! Looks like a wonderful place to visit. No cars, I think I would really like that. Have a blessed day. Hugs
ReplyDeletelooks like a great place! I want to go and ride bikes. Thanks for linking up today!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, being Canadian I suppose I could ask to be forgiven for not realizing how wonderful Michigan is. But through bloggers I am starting to understand what a great place it would be to visit. It's on my list...who knows.
ReplyDeleteJen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Vicki, What a great trip you took! I love Mackinac Island! When we went, several years ago, we took our tandem bike with us. We rode around the circumference of the island several times. It's a beautiful place! I want to go back!!!
ReplyDeleteVicki, here is a link to a post I did about our trip to Mackinac: http://beyondthegardengate-beth.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunday-favorites-trip-to-mackinac.html
Great post, great memories - thank you. Beth
Hi Vicki, I was just in Northern Michigan this evening, Sault Ste. Marie, just across the bridge from where I live in Canada. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
I've always wanted to go Mackinac Island. My whole family lives in MI, but I've never been more north than Ludington. One of these days...
ReplyDeleteNew follower from Blog Hope Till You Drop!
The Pretty Pinhead
Love Mackinac Island...I haven't been there in seven years and I want to go back very much! Maybe next summer. This summer I have a Traverse City trip planned.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful place !!! Great photos :)
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time! Thanks for reading and following :-)
DeleteOh I'm in love with Mackinaw! My dad got married on the island and it was gorgeous! I'm from southern Michigan but I love that "up-north state of mind" you speak of :) I've got almost the exact same picture of arch rock that you have. Sooo pretty! Great post.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has wanted to take me to Mackinac for a long time. We live in VA, so it would be quite a trip, but I know one of these days we will do it. Your photos really make me want to go.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm a Michigan girl! I live in Traverse City. You are right up north is a state of mind! We just visited Mackinac Island in July! I love to go there. Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteSounds great! I would love, love, love to visit an island without cars.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a vacation I would LOVE. Thanks for introducing me to Mackinaw City.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics! Looks like a wonderful family. =)
ReplyDeleteTALU!
That is fascinating with no cars allowed. I would love that. Sounds like you guys had the perfect trip. (TALU)
ReplyDeletelooks like an amazing trip! i love the whole small town feel. makes me miss living in the USA!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Kelly's Korner...you are making me want to go to Michigan, ASAP!
ReplyDeleteI am California girl and that bridge reminded me of the Bay Bridge in San Fran :)
I'm stopping by from Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life. I'm having such a great time looking at everyone's vacation photos. It's also giving my husband and I some new ideas for places we might want to visit.
ReplyDeleteI've often heard such wonderful things about Mackinac. I'd love to go.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of "Oh, the PLACES I've been!"
I'd really appreciate it if you'd edit your post to provide a link back.
- The Tablescaper
It's s beautiful! I always go south, maybe I should reconsider!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a special place--no smog for sure. I would love riding my bike someplace without autos. What a fabulous stress free place to unwind and enjoy the gorgeous landscape.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I've wanted to visit Mackinac Island since I was a kid, but this is the first time I've seen photos of the town and bike trails. It looks even more beautiful than I had imagined. Legs Inn sounds like a good stop, too. (Found you through The Tablescaper)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful place - and no cars? That is so great! I love going on bike rides with my kids but hate having to worry about cars on the road. I have never been to Michigan - another place to add to the list! Thanks for linking up at my new Take Me Away Link Party!
ReplyDeleteShelley