Mackinac Island

Today we visited Mackinac Island. We drove about 60 miles south to St. Ignace to the ferry. We took our bikes with us and boarded Shepler's Ferry Service to the Island. It was a 16 minute ride. The view was breathtaking and the weather was sunny and beautiful. Once we arrived at the island, we got on our bikes and began the shore ride along the coast. You could see different shades of blue in the water depending where you were.

There are no automobiles on Mackinac Island. They have been forbidden since 1898. People get around by bicycles, horse drawn wagons, and foot. You can rent a horse and buggy if you choose. They have bikes for rent, and you can take a taxi which his a horse and wagon.

We stopped at many interesting points along the way. For instance we stopped and climbed the stairs to Arch Rock. It towers 146 feet above the road. The Arch rock is a perforated breccia mass. The Arch Rock formation is one of the natural wonders of the Midwest.

We rode about 2 miles and then stopped and had peanut butter and crackers along the shore. Then continued another 2 miles and then turned on the British Landing Road. When the War of 1812 broke out the British landed secretly on the island. The Americans surrendered to the British.

We also visited a Butterfly House. You walked into this glass room and there were plants from all over the world. The butterflies comes from the Rain Forest in South America. Music (Kenny G) was playing as you walked around and saw all the different kinds of butterflies. It was a truly relaxing time.

After we went to St. Anne's Church. It was started by the Jesuits who came to convert the Native Americans.

We then had lunch at the Yankee Rebel Tavern.