{Mackinac Island Carriage Tours - Michigan}

Yes, when we did buy the ticket for the Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry (link below post) we also included the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours ←(click it). That is a narrated carriage tour in 2-segments, lasting one hour and 45 minutes. 

This is actually the photo I made with my iPhone from the tickets, that I'd placed on these stones... Seen in the previous post, link below this posting.

After getting off the Ferry, you have to turn to the right, onto Main Street where you redeem this for your actually TIMED tickets.

This is the spot, on the left side and easily recognized. We had still a time lapse so that's when we created all those photos for the previous post.

The carriages will actually stop, to the left and you will be guided onto the right carriage at your TIME schedule received.

Some ancient carriages are shown here. 

Love the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours sign above!

Here we go, seated in a smaller, two-horse hitch carriage and going up the hill towards The Grand Hotel, that I will show later...

Those carriages do have a roof, not always easy for snapping photos... but nice against the sun or rain!

Here at the  Surrey Hills Carriage Museum everybody has to leave the two-horse hitch carriage and visit inside, buy gifts, use the bathroom or eat something. 

Boys are boys and husband Pieter is quite interested in this antique fire truck from Mackinac Island!

Pieter now is wearing his Burberry jacket inside, where the air conditioning is running...  A favorite Last Call Outlet score. 

Quite a study and it feels great for having your hands free on such a day while carrying the light weight back pack. This Timberland score we found at TJ Maxx and it has served on several trips.

Imagine the clattering noise such wheels made at that time over cobblestone streets. 

Sure, with that many horses around during the tourist season, there need to be blacksmiths and here you see all the tools used.
Do They Know? ←click it for more pictures about rubber-over-steel shoes etc.

As the Saying Goes, ‘If the Shoe Fits, Wear It’ ←(click it).

Some of the private island carriage horses wear what looks like a rubber bootie!

In the two-horse hitch they did pass around such a black rubber one.

Above in this photo you see a mold of a composite horseshoe, like you will find when clicking the above link.

From here you leave, through the back of the building, on a three-horse carriage that fits 35 passengers!

While standing in line, you can watch how those gentle giants, get cared for with water!

This red head is tilting the water wagon for our three-horse hitch!

It is good that they get a break and a drink before having to work hard again!

Most horses used on Mackinac Island are Belgian or Percheron horses.

There we go! Now we take the back roads through beautiful Mackinac State Park.
You can see photos of the area here: Mackinac Island Carriage Tours

Everywhere we looked we saw the US Flag waving, very patriotically.

Our three-horse hitch carriage stopped one more time to let passengers get to the Arched Rock.
However, I did walk into the woods for making some wild flower photos instead...

Strong horses, well trained and very hard working.
BUT at the end of the season, they will again go: To Fresh Woods and Pastures ←click it.

We started out on Main Street, near the coast towards the center, than went up to Grand Hotel, yellow dot to the left.
The change from two-horse hitch carriage to three-horse hitch carriage was just below where the orange marker is.
From there we went through the forest to Arch Rock, to the right and back to Fort Mackinac.
Click the picture for a better view!

Just a tiny island but oh so beautiful!
We were so blessed for having such sunny weather with blue sky.
Next I will show you some photos from Mackinac Island Flora
Hope you enjoyed the ride!

Related links:
{Patriotic & Romantic Mackinac Island, Michigan} | previous post by me
{Shepler's Mackinac Island, Michigan Ferry} | previous post by me
{505 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan} | previous post by me
{Delta Annual Companion Certificate Flight to Detroit, Michigan} | previous post by me