MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS

Saturday, August 1, 2015

{Mackinac Island, Michigan Flora}

Our second part of Mackinac Island Carriage Tours did bring us through breathtaking nature of northern Michigan. The forest with its flora is so beautiful and our first surprise were the rather large spots with FORGET-ME-NOTS. Also Lily-of-the-Valley but it was not possible for jumping off the carriage...

Are these Forget-Me-Nots not lovely? And freely growing in the woods!

Even some white Forget-Me-Nots...
In Italian they are called: "Non Ti Scordar di Me"

These I spotted on the lawn below Mackinac Fort

The Common Daisy or Bellis perennis; a childhood favorite that we don't see in Georgia.

Trillium

Those I did photograph when the passengers had 10 minutes for visiting Arched Rock and I instead ran off into the woods to find those Forget-Me-Nots and Trillium instead.

Sorry for the poor photos; I only had my iPhone...

When I climbed up this hill, I was amazed at the layer of rich humus soil and one could really spot a lot more if given the time!
Mackinaw Island is mostly rock formation, like granite boulders. The woods often support their trees only on several inches of soil. You can read more about Mackinac Island State Park Natural Wonders by clicking this link. Its coast line is mainly formed by Glacial Lake Algonquin and you find some interesting information about the many stones and minerals here: Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes

A beautiful pink Trillium

Mosses are my favorite too and this tree was so nicely clad in its moss skirt.

Our carriage driver let both of us off on Huron Road, where a rather steep road led us straight to Grand Hotel where we were going to sit and relax for some Afternoon Tea.

We also did spot these Queen Anne's Lace...

Yep, speeding on a bike will result in being prosecuted...

See you at Grand Hotel!

Related links:
{Mackinac Island Carriage Tours} | previous post by me
{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

Thursday, July 30, 2015

{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

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

{Patriotic & Romantic Mackinac Island, Michigan}

As promised in my previous post where we took the Ferry: See you on the other side, on Mackinac Island!

Here we are, back in time to the late 19th Century that is, as cars have been banned since 1898 on this Patriotic & Romantic Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Patriotic in many ways, not only because of the historic Fort Mackinac but you will find more below.

Back to the Romantic era without cars... What better way than showing you 'Carriage House'...

We did not notice the fellow on the roof, while walking there; only on this photo!

Squatting down with my Carriage Tour tickets on the stones, for making a photo with my iPhone before trading them in...
Cherry tree is showing some 'late' cherries.

In February they had -40°F = -40°C as well! So nature is rather late in this part!

Only bikes and carriages, apart from the ambulance and fire truck they have.

Husband Pieter using his camera; in this paradise for photographers!

Roaming Main Street with its patriotic waving flags!

And 'YES' one does smell those horses as they use the street as their 'outlet'.

Part of the package for going back in time!

Horse transport for everything or on a bike, as you see in front of me.

Main Street Inn...

Patriotic little island that gave so much!

Look at all those names listed for all wars... Starting with WWI at the top left and followed by a LONG listing of names for WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf.

Considering that Mackinac Island only consists of some 500 people and is the size of 3.776 mi² or 9.779 km² they have been a very patriotic people for having THAT many Veterans that gave it all!