One of the many places I’ve wanted to see and visit was Mackinac Island, and I finally got that chance! While we took our trip to Northern Michigan, we spend a good amount of time on the island, a first for all of us!
Mackinac Island is a fantastic place to visit, especially if you want to escape from the world today. There is nothing new on the island, you are not allowed to drive vehicles there, and there are lots to explore and learn while there. Yes, you read that correctly! There are no motorized vehicles (other than emergency vehicles) allowed on the island. You do all of your travelings by foot, horse, or bicycle.
Mackinac Island in the Fall
Visiting Mackinac Island in the fall has to be one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen thus far. Growing up in Michigan it is a place I had always wanted to visit. I’m sure as a child I had, but I honestly cannot remember if I did and what it was like. Visiting it as an adult is just wonderful. You can enjoy everything about it. The beauty of the island. The old buildings, no automobiles, horse and buggy rides.
The only downfall of our visit, it rained pretty much the entire time. But we didn’t let that ruin our visit.
The Little Stone Church
The Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island serves its community with masses, baptisms, weddings, and even vow renewals. The church has been around for over 100 years and has a beautiful history.
The Union Congregational Church began with the formation in August 1899 of a congregation known as the Union Church Society. The church structure was built of local fieldstone in 1904 with Deacons S.B. Poole and J.M. Leggett setting the cornerstones of the church.
Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery
Even Mackinac Island has a cemetery or two, but The Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery has to be the most important and for the most important of Mackinac Island.
The Post Cemetery is the final resting place for Fort Mackinac soldiers, their families and local officials. Although the origin of the Cemetery is lost in history, local lore suggests that both American and British Ware of 1812 soldiers are buried there. Known burials of note include Ignatius Goldhofer, a Civil War veteran who came to Fort Mackinac in 1869. He was buried in the Post Cemetery by his wife and children, when he died three years later. Other burials include Edward Biddle, who served as sheriff, village president and surveyor in the mid 19th century, and the 1880s burial of Josiah and Isabel Cowes, the infant children of Lieutenant Calvin and Mary Cowles.
— https://www.mackinacisland.org/activities/fort-mackinac-post-cemetery/
The Arch Rock
Not the best picture of the Arch Rock, but I wanted it to be a memorable picture for my family.
Arch Rock is a geologic formation on Mackinac Island in Michigan. It is a natural limestone arch formed during the Nipissing post-glacial period, a period of high Lake Huron levels following the end of the Wisconsin glaciation. To this day Arch Rock stands on the Lake Huron shoreline 146 feet (45 m) above the water.
The Mackinac Bridge
The Mighty Mac is one long bridge. One I don’t really like driving across because it is so long. Oh and because it does tend to sway when very windy. Yes, you read that right, it sways! However, it is a beautiful bridge and so amazing to see in person.
The Mackinac Bridge is currently the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world. In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan became the longest with a total suspension of 12,826 feet. The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.
The total length of the Mackinac Bridge is 26,372 feet. The length of the suspension bridge (including anchorages) is 8,614 feet. The length from cable bent pier to cable bent pier is 7,400 feet. Length of main span (between towers) is 3,800 feet.
Mackinac Island
No matter where you are on the island, it’s a beautiful site. Not to mention the views as you are arriving. It seems to be a quiet place to live, with roughly 500 people living on the island. I’m not sure if that’s yearly residents or just summer residents.
