Julie and Rhonda spent two fun-filled days on Mackinac Island, Michigan--a Victorian era resort where horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and walking are the main modes of transportation. (Automobiles are not permitted on the island.) We got off to an early start from Canton on Wednesday, September 30th -- driving the 4 1/2-hours up I-75, where the glove of Michigan meets the Upper Peninsula. Mackinac Island lies just off the mainland in Lake Huron, within view of the "Big Mack" Bridge. Mackinac Island is reached by ferry. We arrived at the ferry parking lot only minutes before the 2:00 p.m. ferry was to leave for the island. Attendants helped to unload our two bicycles. While Julie parked the car, Rhonda ran for ferry tickets. Rhonda stood on the gangplank until Julie arrived at the ferry via golf cart! Then it was off for our two-day adventure.
We spent the remainder of the afternoon bicycling the eight-mile perimeter of the island--stopping to climb a long series of stairs leading to the western bluff above the Grand Hotel, where lovely Victorian mansions overlook the vastness of Lake Huron. We also climbed stairs to view Arch Rock on the opposite side of the island. The gorgeous fall afternoon could not have been more perfect. We stayed the night at a quaint resort hotel on the island, spending the early evening warming ourselves beside a roaring fire in the hotel lobby while eating yummy fudge.
