K13 Family Blog: Benjamin Blacksmith Convention & Mackinaw Island

Saturday August 2nd - August 4th 2008

SATURDAY

We had an easy and quick drive to Mackinaw city on Saturday. We planned to go to the Island as soon as we got to town because we had busy schedule of things we wanted to see. We went to our lodge to check in but it wasn’t going to be ready until after 3:00pm. So we headed into town and rode the Sheplars ferry to the island. Little C was really excited to ride on the big boat. She was smiling from ear to ear. On the way to Mackinaw Island we decided to ride on the top of the ferry so we could see the incredible view of the bridge. During the ride Z pointed out that the wake was making mini rainbows. The rainbows looked magical. Little C was having the time of her life pretending to be a mermaid during the trip over. As we approached the island the caption said to watch out for the bikes. There are no motor vehicles allowed on the island. As a child, one of the main things I remember from my trip to the island was the two-person bike. We saw a ton of bikes on the dock as we approach the island. I couldn’t believe how many bikes, horses and people were crowded into the sidewalks and road. I don’t remember seeing that many bikes or people the last time I visited. I am sure the island has change over the years or most likely my memory has faded. We search for a good place to sit and have lunch. It was a warm day so we decided to have lunch under a tree and close to the restrooms. Having three girls in the family we are always in need of a girl’s powder room. We looked for the carriage both on our way to the shade tree but were unsuccessful in finding it. We walked an extra couple blocks to the visitor center to ask where we needed to catch the carriage. We found out that we ate lunch just up the street from the ticket booth (figures). After lunch we found the blacksmith shop and the Benjamin Blacksmith Convention. We saw a couple that we met from Hartwick working the convention. The blacksmiths had some really cool stuff on display and I always enjoy the tink tink of the metal and the smell of the forge. Big D was inspired on many different projects that he would like to do. Then, we hopped on the horse drawn carriage for our guided tour. The first ride took us through town to the Grand Hotel and the governor’s mansion. We stopped at the butterfly garden and caught the second part of the tour. The horse’s names that pulled our carriage were Caption, Jack, and Sparrow. Our tour guide was from Transylvania. She made a funny by saying her uncle was count Dracula. We took the scenic view tour of the national park to the arc. Our tour guide was a hilarious and told stories and legends throughout the ride. One of the legends was about and Indian girl named “one who walks with the mist”. Apparently, she was in love with the sky god and her parents did not approve so she cried until her tears washed away the bluff and created the arc. The tour guide tells it better. Unfortunately, little D wasn’t able to see the arc. She was exhausted and fell asleep during the horse ride. Before we got off the carriage to view the arc the tour guide informed us “NOT to pick the flowers” because it would cost fifty dollars per flower in fines. As a joke she explained that a girl picked a dozen dandelions for her mother, which ended up costing $600.00. We ended our carriage tour at fort Mackinaw. We did many interesting things during our visit in fort Mackinaw. Including, playing grace, ball in cup, and doctor with the dress up clothes. I had the best time in the kids quarters and Big D got a lesson on how to be a drill sergeant. We even got to see a rifle demonstration.
The employees were dressed in period clothing. We approached a lady wearing her day dress, little D and little C were excited to see a princess.

After visiting the fort we decided to adventure up the big hill and take a walk to the Grand Hotel. Our walk was beautiful and peaceful. Dace wanted to get a picture of the hotel porch for his seminar in October. The hill back down to the hotel was a blast. We saw many bikes flying down the hill. We almost got ran over by some horse back riders. When we got to the hotel we were informed we could not enter the porch because there was a dress code after 6:00pm. Big D was frustrated that he wasn’t going to be able to get his picture and I really wanted to walk the porch. We humbly obeyed and started to walk towards town. On our way we noticed a trail. We decided to walk it in hopes of being able to get a good picture of the hotel. Of course, I was thinking this would be a great place for a letterbox. I love my hobby! The trail ended in the hotel garden from there we got a GREAT picture of the hotel. On the walk back to town little D saw some horses that were white with large black spots. Little D told dad: “look dad a cow horse” kids say the cutest things. We were all getting tired and really hungry. I don’t think we were ready to leave the island but needed to get back to the lodge for dinner. Z said the time on the island just flew by. Time flies when you’re having fun. We rode on the bottom of the ferry on the way back to the city. We went straight back to the lodge. We were all so hungry that we ate 3 plates of spaghetti each. After dinner we went down to the beach for the bonfire. The place we were staying at had a bon fire every night and the best thing about it is we didn’t have to collect the wood. Everything was supplied even down to the marshmallow sticks. The Mackinaw Motor Lodge had absolutely everything we needed for our stay. They had a little beach house down by the water that had coffee in the morning and all the campfire tools you need. Next to the beach house was the kids ride toys and many different sand toys. The kids were so busy playing that Big D and I actually got some alone time. It was so nice to be able to spend a few minutes with my husband next to the fire and the best thing is the kids were in close in site. This Lodge Rocks!

SUNDAY

We went to the pancake house in Mackinaw City for breakfast. They had a wonderful buffet. After breakfast we decided to walk around town. Mackinaw has such a great atmosphere. We wanted to find a nice but affordable kite for the kids to fly. We started shopping at the crossings. A few years back Big D and I bought the goofy birthday hat at a cute hat shop in Mackinaw. Our family has worn the hat for every birthday since we purchased it. It was neat to be able to show the kids where we bought it. The kids had to try on more goofy hats while we were there. Big D still needs to get his jester hat ….maybe next year. The kids had fun playing at the playground in the middle of the shopping center. I was able to get a black mail picture of Z riding a bee. He was really mad and tried to make me promise I wouldn’t post it on the intranet. LOL. Not a chance .. dude. We went to the Kite Company to look for a kite. I really like that shop. They had interesting and unique toys for sale. We never found a kite that we liked. We then headed to the craft show in town. The show was dated to the things you would find in the 1800’s. When looking at the raw hide for sale I decided to point out something interesting to Little D and not realizing she was walking directly in the direction I was pointing I poked her straight in the eye. I poked her really hard. I could actually feel her eyeball with my finger. I felt horrible. She couldn’t open her eye for most of the night. We ended up calling her doctor and she told us to tape it up so she wouldn’t blink. She said the blinking was irritating her eye. I thought I ruined her vacation but the patch worked. She felt better by morning and we were able to remove the patch. After poking her in the eye we went back to the lodge for lunch. Daddy kindly laid down for a nap with little D. I went down and took a nap on the lounge chair by the beach. Z kept himself busy by catching frogs and leaches. YUCK. I thought he was going to put one on my back while sleeping. I said I would beat him if he did that! After our must needed rest we had dinner and visited with some friends that happened to be vacationing in Mackinaw. Our friend TT brought a funny joke book to the bonfire and read us a few jokes. It was such a relaxing time. There were a few of the other lodge guest and we all shared our marshmallows and hot dogs. There was this irritating couple that kept screaming their kids name and the kid just ignored them. I hate when parents just sit on their butts and scream at the kids. If the kids don’t listen then get off your butt and do something. Ok…done with my soapbox and hope I didn’t offend anyone. Just one of my pet peeves. We decided to drive across the bridge at night so we could see the luminous lights. We weren’t sure if the kids were going to be able to stay awake. They stayed awake just long enough to get across and then they we’re out, even Z. Big D and I had a nice drive downtown St. Ignace. I saw an Indian trading store that I would like to visit at our next trip. I have been to Mackinaw many time and never went into St. Ignace. Both big D and I didn’t think there would be much to see but it was actually a nice town. I want to see it during the day.

MONDAY

Big D made waffles for us in the morning. We went into town to go to the beach, lighthouse, and visitor’s center. I love the Mackinaw Visitors Center under the bridge. It is a nice size store with many interesting stuff. I saw the cutest rain gear for the girls. I didn’t purchase it because of our strict budget and we really wouldn’t use it much. Big D found different ironwork that he would like to make some day. The girls had fun playing with a stuffed fish.

This was the best trip yet. We have had a lot of fun this summer. Thanks babe for the great trip ideas. We definitely want to go back to the lodge. We told the owner how much fun we had and that they had a really nice place. If anyone is interested in a nice family get away I recommend staying at the Mackinaw Motor Lodge on 23 south of town.
Nice ride back because I rode all the way home looking at the back of my eyelids. Poor daddy always drives and I appreciate it VERY much!