Michigan: Day 3 & 4

On days three and four we headed to Mackinaw Island. We got up early Tuesday morning and started on our way up the state, it took us about four hours to get there. We had reserved a hotel for the night in Mackinaw City just across the lake from the Island. So we checked in had lunch then crossed the Lake Michigan by ferry to Mackinaw Island.

The Island was beautiful, very green. It was really neat to see all the old houses and learn so much about the island, Ashley loved that there were no motorized vehicles, because that meant lots of horses. =) We took a carriage ride tour around the island, not one of our highlights. While on our tour we got to see Arch Rock, which is a rock naturally shaped into an arch, and we ended our tour at Fort Mackinaw. It was pretty neat to see the fort and all the artifacts and history to go with it. They gave live gun and cannon demonstrations as well. In case you didn't know Mackinaw Island is famous for their fudge...so of course we had to try it out. After doing some more site seeing and shopping we had some dinner and headed back to the main land for the night.

The next morning we got up and walked around the little town and got our souvenirs before getting back in the car for our long car ride home (to Aunt Carols). Dan actually stayed back with Ashley to play in the indoor water park that the hotel had, the two of them had a blast, to be honest it was hard to tell who was having more fun. Before leaving Mackinaw City we had to drive over the huge bridge that took us to the upper peninsula, it was pretty cool. On our way back to Aunt Carols we saw a sign that said "Cops & Doughnuts", we just HAD to stop, for all of Dans cop friends. We took some pictures got some doughnuts then continued on our way.

We had a great time on Mackinaw Island although the next time we go back, I would do it different, I would rent a bike to tour the town on our own instead of doing the carriage tour and I would stay on the island. We were so excited to hurry up and get back because we knew Dave and ALL the California gang (Aunt Cece,Dwayne, Jeremy, Lori, Kylee & Jessica) would be arriving that evening.

Taking the ferry over
Coming up to the island

One of their fire trucks

Jim & Cyndy at Arch Rock

Lori & Alyssa

Dan, Melissa, Jordan, Ashley & Allison

Arch Rock

Nurse Lori

While we were on the island Ashley asked her daddy to marry her, here they are saying their vows.

The Kiss

The Wedding Couple =)

Shooting Demonstrations

This was the last ferry ride back for the night, as you see the beautiful sunset at 9:00 at night, it stayed light so late.

Bye-Bye Mackinaw Island

The Indoor Water Park

Dan taught Ashley how to roll down a hill while we were at the fort.