One Year on the Road

Robert&#039;s Landing RV Park near Chippewa.

This was the view from Bessie.

A little marshy beach.

Lots of gulls.

We went into Mackinaw City for dinner.

We had Lake Michigan &quot;white fish&quot; here, where we could dine with the fur kids.

By the harbor was an 18th century trade fair.

A camp set up with tipis and tents.

There were blacksmiths and crafts people.

A real birch canoe.

Smoking fish.

Kids camping there loved it.

And they loved Gypsy, too.

This ice breaker boat is a museum in the summer.

These people had biked from Muncie, Indiana and were staying at this fancy hotel.

This motel is one of the oldies.

Ferries to the island are big business.

The lighthouse near the bridge.

It&#039;s very castle-like.

Mackinaw Bridge.

We found this sweet locals beach to watch the sunset from.

Our own little spot.

So beautiful.

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And that night, the blue moon rose over the campground.

In the morning, we took the ferry to Mackinac Island.

We brought our bikes.

Kate was excited to return after 45 years.

And I was excited to see it.

The day could not have been more gorgeous.

We weren&#039;t on the fast ferry, but we didn&#039;t mind.

Approaching the island.

Victorians on a hill.

And the Grand Hotel!

Harbor light.

And the little lighthouse.

We stepped off the boat and into something that looked like Main Street in Disneyland.

Except it was all original old buildings.

Only horses and bikes for transportation.

The bread delivery wagon.

Such beautiful houses.

I pumped up the bike tires.

And off we went.

The road goes 8 miles around the island.

Everything was so perfect!

Kayaking would be great, if we had more days here.

We left the bikes for a bit to hike up to the arch.

View from the bluff.

A quick shot together.

Ferry for service trucks is on the back side of the island.

Passing the garbage wagon.

So interesting to think how everything on the island must be transported this way.

Rowboat anchored offshore.

Civil War cannon.

A surrey in the trees.

Back in town.

So many great B&amp;Bs.

And just sweet houses.

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The reality of local living... wagons, carts, and bikes.

So inviting, but a private yard.

Horses next to an old hitching post.

The fancy wagon is for the Grand Hotel.

William Astor&#039;s house.

We walked up to the Grand Hotel.

After 6 dress code: coat and tie for men, dresses for women.

A more casual event on the lawn.

You have to pay $10 just to walk into the hotel.

So we just enjoyed the outside.

It would be something to stay there.

Phone booth on the golf course.

The hotel owns this street that goes up to it.

A private stable.

There sure are a lot of horses on the island.

Beautiful private yard.

Back downtown.

Getting back on the ferry.

The wagons are ready to carry luggage and packages.

The harbor.

Ferry building.

One last look at this beautiful town.

Leaving the dock.

Skirting the kayakers.

Goodbye, Mackinac!

Back under the bridge.

And back to Mackinaw City.

We went straight to our campground.

Both Bailey and Gypsy were eager to get out of Bessie.

Bailey got to fetch and swim in the lake.

Gypsy ran all around and wanted to play with Bailey.

She didn&#039;t like it when Bailey went into the lake.

She followed Bailey into the water and Kate had to retrieve her.

Bailey wanted to play with her like a puppy.

Silly kitten.

Bailey is finally allowing some cuddles.