An Afternoon on Mackinac Island

We wandered the main street of this unusual place that looked like we’d stepped onto a movie set where a picture in the period of the 1800s was being filmed. The absence of cars and old buildings created the perfect setting. Rooster and I knew we wouldn’t have time to take in every attraction on the island. We decided on the horse and buggy ride. I don’t know why we opted not to pay the ten dollars to enter the Grand Hotel. Maybe the idea of an admission fee to look rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t know. The cost of the buggy ride was steep enough. Anyway, join Rooster and me on an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

Rooster and I stood in line to buy our tickets to ride on the carriage. The first thing a person should know is there is a waiting period before your turn to ride happens. Everybody seems to want to do the same thing at the same time. At least we found a place to set down. The folks working the booth have the color coded system down to an art form,

Our team arrived to carry us on An Afternoon on Mackinac Island.

The team of horses carried us through the streets of Mackinac Island. The young woman guiding the buggy told us interesting history as we maneuvered through the streets. We didn’t have to compete with any car traffic. She also explained that there was a town doctor and clinic. The island’s emergency services did cheat with motorized vehicles because they could get help faster than horses. Three vets worked on the island. The young woman attended school to become a vet, so she got some experience while working for the summer on the island.

We swung by The Grand Hotel on the ride during an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

Our buggy trip included a shift change for the horses. They only worked for half a day. The health of the animals is very important. Employees make certain they are rested. The horses don’t stay on the island during the winter because food can get scarce. Gas power vehicles aren’t allowed because they spook the horses.

A group of horses waiting their turn on an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

A fresh team of horses was harnessed to the buggy to carry us the rest ofthe tour. Another tour guide also joined us. A summer job attracts many college students to work on the island. The second young lady who took the reign was from Indiana and attended IU.

Home Girl took the reigns on an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

We rode past the Catholic, Protestant, and military graveyards before we stopped at a place where they had a carriage collection, butterfly house, and food. The state park on the island is beautiful. Fires are prohibited and the manure dropped by the horses is used to fertilize the trees.

The forest on an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

Arch Rock provides a unique view of Lake Huron. Your are supposed to take a selfie in front of it, but the crowd of people made it hard to get a good angle. Plus, I take bad selfies. There is no reason on earth why i should block the view of this wonderful act of nature. The arch is formed by erosion. We swung past an old fort and then our drive let us off at the top of a hill.

The view on an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

The great walk down the hill gave us a perfect view of the town and harbor. Rooster and I decided to grab food at the deli and have a late lunch in a park we saw on the buggy ride. Doing this would avoid one of the major costs of visiting Mackinac Island. Restraints charge outrageous prices here.

After lunch, we visited several fudge shops for sugar-free fudge. One of the attractions of this place is fudge making. Rooster and I couldn’t find a sugar-free variety made anywhere. Oh, well, you can’t have everything.

Our return trip from an afternoon on Mackinac Island.

Rooster and I rode the ferry ack to St. Ignace. We enjoyed an evening meal at another local restaurant, and then sat on the balcony talking to Dave at the motel. Freddie joined us. He stuck around long enough to catch a doughnut. Betty flew overhead and he disappeared. We plan to take the long way tomorrow. This is one adventure i hate to see come to an end.

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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