2014 July Mackinaw 2

Our ferry to Mackinaw Island took us underneath this amazing bridge. 

The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw was opened July 10, 1887.  It only took 90 days to build according to our guide.  Sounds unbelievable.

There are no gasoline motors on Mackinaw, so delivery has to be done by horse power.

Our carriage was pulled by 3 draft horses.  The drivers are required to let them rest at the top of each hill and give them ample time to drink water at each stop.  These horses are well taken care of.  We got a ride from the ferry up to Fort Mackinac, then had to walk down.

 

 

This natural arch was beautiful.  Above is an enlargement of what we could see through the arch.

I took lots of horse pictures.  I loved watching them.  Our driver told us about the personality of the 3 that pulled our carriage.  One of the 3 was very lazy and did not want to pull her weight, so had to be constantly encouraged with a gentle little switch.  The horses union will only allow them to work a max of 5 hours a day.

 

View from Fort Mackinac.  The fort was founded during the American revolution.  Believing Fort Michilimakinac, at what is now Mackinaw City, was too vulnerable to American attack, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780.  Americans took control in 1796.  In July 1812, the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the US, the British captured the fort.  It was returned to the US after the war.  The fort remained active until 1895. 

These men were dressed in the British uniform worn during the 1780's when the British controlled the fort.  This woman was busy with her embroidery on this porch inside the fort.  It was a perfect day weather wise.

Looking up at the fort from the ferry landing.

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Sorry, more horse pictures.

 

Below:  Inside the Grand Hotel.  We did not do the $40 a person buffet that most of our group enjoyed.  Heard it was fabulous, but just too much food for us.

Below:  View from the porch of the Grand looking toward Mackinaw City.

We had to go up to the Cupola Bar at the top of the Grand.  A small glass of wine was $12.

View from the Cupola Bar toward the coastline of Michigan.

Flowers were everywhere around the hotel.