Friday, August 29, 2008

Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island

Matt finished his horrible month of working nights last Friday and we decided to celebrate by taking a long weekend to up to Mackinaw on the northern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula. This is the bridge that goes from the lower to the upper peninsula (the "U.P." as the local Michiganders call it--yes, Michiganders.) It's the longest bridge in the western hemisphere, the 3rd longest in the world--about 5 miles.Our hotel had an indoor water park with the cutest kiddie pool which Jack LOVED! I'm so glad this kid likes the water. It makes me much more excited for swim lessons next week!
Mackinac Island is a small island in the Straits of Mackinac. They don't allow motorized vehicles so all transportation is done by bike or horse (except in the winter they allow snowmobiles). If you've seen the movie Somewhere in Time (with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour)--this is where it was filmed. --the Grand Hotel is still there. (we didn't get to it and so no pictures, but did see it from the ferry). We rented bikes and a trailer for Jack and rode the 8 mile trail around the island (the only highway in the country where cars aren't allowed M132). Jack loved riding in his little trailer and "talked" to Matt quite a bit as we rode.
Jack's first encounter with a horse. The horse came right up to him and stuck his nose through the fence when we first walked up, but we of course didn't have the camera ready for that.
We took a little nap at the park in front of the old British fort. We napped a little too long because when we went to see about going into the fort they had stopped letting people in 15 minutes earlier. Oh well, at least we heard the cannon and rifle demos.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks like you had so much fun. I'm glad you were able to get a way after that long month. You both look more rested than I thought you'd look--Matt working nights and you with Jack. You all look great. You should have bought the little bike trailer--it looks like a good one and with all the trails in Midland you could have used it--after you bought bikes for yourselves, of course. Jack is getting cuter and more animated if that is possible. Keep the pix coming. Love you.

paulette said...

Those eyes of Jack's have an adorable twinkle in them. He gets cuter every time. I love it when you put up pictures. I crave getting a look at him and all our grandkids. Can't believe he is 6 months old already. He sure looks like he still loves the water.

Brady and Rachel said...

Boy is he growing up. What great adventures you guys are having! Congrats on being done with the long month of working nights Matt and Mindy too of course. Glad you got a nice break as a family.

Lindsey said...

Okay, have I told you how cute Jack is. He's adorable. I think that you should post another video, I miss his laugh, plus it gives me something to listen to until Liam finds his voice.

Reeses Pieces said...

How fun. That is so neat that they don't let motorized vehicles on the highway there. It makes it sound so quaint and cute. I'm glad you got to get away for a weekend.