During our week at Higgins Lake, Tim & I got the chance to have a mini-vacation of our own while Mom and Dad Lehr took care of Matthew (and Beau). We escaped to Mackinac Island, and had a great time dispite the cool, damp weather.
A view of the Mackinac Bridge from our ferry ride.
The Round Island Lighthouse
I had never been to Mackinac Island before, and was suprised to learn that (aside from a few emergency vehicles) there are no cars or motorized vehicles on the island. The only modes of transportation are by foot, bike, or horse and buggy.
The air is flavored by the scent of many fudge shops and yes... those horses do have a certain "aroma" themselves. The whole place has a very colonnial atmosphere.
We travelled to the island by way of the Arnold Ferry Company who maintains the oldest pier on the island. We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the boats docked at the island.
We stayed in the Lake View hotel, the oldest continually operated hotel on the island. The cute Victorian styled rooms were very small, but nice. I always appreciate the little touches like towel hearts on the bed. 
A view of the Mackinac Bridge from our ferry ride.
The Round Island Lighthouse
I had never been to Mackinac Island before, and was suprised to learn that (aside from a few emergency vehicles) there are no cars or motorized vehicles on the island. The only modes of transportation are by foot, bike, or horse and buggy.The air is flavored by the scent of many fudge shops and yes... those horses do have a certain "aroma" themselves. The whole place has a very colonnial atmosphere.
We travelled to the island by way of the Arnold Ferry Company who maintains the oldest pier on the island. We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the boats docked at the island.
We stayed in the Lake View hotel, the oldest continually operated hotel on the island. The cute Victorian styled rooms were very small, but nice. I always appreciate the little touches like towel hearts on the bed. I have to take a minute here to share a funny story... When we arrived on the island we were told that our luggage would be delivered to our hotel. So we checked in & waited. Meanwhile one of us - who shall remain nameless - REALLY had to use the restroom quite urgently. Unfortunately, this resulted in a clogged toilet. We figured, "yeah the plumbing in this century old hotel will eventually pull through, so let's just head out to explore the island. By the time we come back tonight, all will surely be working again." Not so. With no tools of our own to remedy the embarassing problem, we were forced to call the front desk. A few minutes later, a young bell hop with plunger in hand knocked on the door. We sat in the room trying to make casual conversation as the young man went to work. After several minutes of plunging, with the poor guy needing to pause here and there to catch his breath, we could no longer contain our laughter which first leaked out in short bursts but soon evolved into a fullscale eruption including gasps and tears. I still feel so bad for that guy every time I think about it. I guess there's nothing like a couple of grown adults giggling like embarassed children... good grief!
We enjoyed exploring and learning about Fort Mackinac. It was originally built and settled by the Brittish in the year 1780, during the American Revolution. The Americans captured it in 1796, but then the Brittish reclaimed it very early in the war of 1812. It remained an active military fort until the late 1800s.
During our guided tour of the fort, we learned that in the late 1800s Mackinac Island was named the second U.S. national park. (The first was Yellowstone.) It has since been reduced to a state park, but much of the island is still preserved park land today. Unfortunately, this is not my year for riding bikes and extra hiking so we'll have to return to explore more of those sections of the island later when I'm not pregnant.
Amazingly, they were doing a cannon firing demonstration on the other side of the fort at the exact time we snapped this photo. (smoke in the background)
Seabiscuit was a lucky choice for us! ... Not to mention another fun memory... After dinner at the Village Inn, we headed back to our hotel for a little swimming. Instead we got hooked on a movie and enjoyed relaxing that way. But then at 10pm, I was really hungry for some dessert. So we hit the streets and were suprised to find restaurants closed with only a few bars open. After walking all over town, we went across the street from our hotel to Mary's Bistro. Once again only the bar was open, but when we inquired as to whether they would serve us dessert the bartender called over a very nice (and rather intoxicated) man who said that his place would make us dessert. He described several desserts which all sounded wonderful, and he sent us down the street to find the Seabiscuit Cafe. He said he would call ahead for us and when we arrived we were to "ask for Frosty and tell him that -- sent us." We laughed all the way down the street, not sure whether to feel like we were in a James Bond movie or part of some drug deal. When we found Seabiscuit's, we sheepishly asked the bartender if he was Frosty and were promptedly rewarded with a delicious apple dumpling. The next day we just had to stop to get a photo in front of Seabiscuit's to remember our covert operation the night before. 
We enjoyed a carriage tour of the island.
This is a photo of The Grand Hotel - the most famous hotel in all of Michigan, no doubt. We learned lots of interesting facts about the hotel, but I won't bore you with any more than to say that it has the largest covered porch (all lined with white rocking chairs) in all the world. (Then again, our driver said that there is one the same or larger somewhere in Russia. Ah well!)
While touring with horse and buggy, we got to see so many of the beautifully landscaped cottages around the island.
Horses do all the work around the island, and for that they have brought over only the very sturdy and large draft horses. Beautiful animals!
A small replica of the Statue of Liberty. (I've always wanted to see the real thing, but have never been to NYC so this will have to do for now!)
Before we headed back down to the dock for our return ride on the ferry, we took time to just sit and relax on the porch of our hotel watching all the people, bikes, and carriages pass by.
It was a wonderful little "getaway," one full of memories that put a smile on my face! I'm so grateful for Tim and every minute we get to spend together. He is truly the love of my life, and I thank God that He brought us together.
We enjoyed exploring and learning about Fort Mackinac. It was originally built and settled by the Brittish in the year 1780, during the American Revolution. The Americans captured it in 1796, but then the Brittish reclaimed it very early in the war of 1812. It remained an active military fort until the late 1800s.
During our guided tour of the fort, we learned that in the late 1800s Mackinac Island was named the second U.S. national park. (The first was Yellowstone.) It has since been reduced to a state park, but much of the island is still preserved park land today. Unfortunately, this is not my year for riding bikes and extra hiking so we'll have to return to explore more of those sections of the island later when I'm not pregnant.
Amazingly, they were doing a cannon firing demonstration on the other side of the fort at the exact time we snapped this photo. (smoke in the background)
Seabiscuit was a lucky choice for us! ... Not to mention another fun memory... After dinner at the Village Inn, we headed back to our hotel for a little swimming. Instead we got hooked on a movie and enjoyed relaxing that way. But then at 10pm, I was really hungry for some dessert. So we hit the streets and were suprised to find restaurants closed with only a few bars open. After walking all over town, we went across the street from our hotel to Mary's Bistro. Once again only the bar was open, but when we inquired as to whether they would serve us dessert the bartender called over a very nice (and rather intoxicated) man who said that his place would make us dessert. He described several desserts which all sounded wonderful, and he sent us down the street to find the Seabiscuit Cafe. He said he would call ahead for us and when we arrived we were to "ask for Frosty and tell him that -- sent us." We laughed all the way down the street, not sure whether to feel like we were in a James Bond movie or part of some drug deal. When we found Seabiscuit's, we sheepishly asked the bartender if he was Frosty and were promptedly rewarded with a delicious apple dumpling. The next day we just had to stop to get a photo in front of Seabiscuit's to remember our covert operation the night before. 
We enjoyed a carriage tour of the island.
This is a photo of The Grand Hotel - the most famous hotel in all of Michigan, no doubt. We learned lots of interesting facts about the hotel, but I won't bore you with any more than to say that it has the largest covered porch (all lined with white rocking chairs) in all the world. (Then again, our driver said that there is one the same or larger somewhere in Russia. Ah well!)
While touring with horse and buggy, we got to see so many of the beautifully landscaped cottages around the island.
Horses do all the work around the island, and for that they have brought over only the very sturdy and large draft horses. Beautiful animals!
A small replica of the Statue of Liberty. (I've always wanted to see the real thing, but have never been to NYC so this will have to do for now!)
Before we headed back down to the dock for our return ride on the ferry, we took time to just sit and relax on the porch of our hotel watching all the people, bikes, and carriages pass by.
It was a wonderful little "getaway," one full of memories that put a smile on my face! I'm so grateful for Tim and every minute we get to spend together. He is truly the love of my life, and I thank God that He brought us together.
Playing fetch is still his favorite lake activity. He loves running down the long deck, jumping off and then climbing back out for more. 
