Day 3: Mackinac Island!!

We started the day off with a flat tire (boo...) and rain (more boo), but that still didn't stop us from enjoying the dreary day on Mackinac Island.  

Jacob LOVED the boat ride over (and spoke of it every day after.  He wanted to ride it again and again). I wouldn't have minded visiting the island again either.

We had just boarded our carriage tour that took us around the island.

The first stop was Surrey Hill and the Wings of Mackinac butterfly house.  The butterflies were so pretty and since it was such an overcast day, the house was cool as well (BIG deal for those who have visited a butterfly house in the dead of summer - it gets REALLY HOT!)

Jacob liked seeing all the butterflies too, until one came over to 'visit' him.

Then he wasn't so happy and was ready to leave.

We boarded a bigger carriage with 3 horses instead of 2 to continue our tour of the island (I must admit, spending money to take the carriage tour wasn't on the top of my list, however, having a 3 year old and trying to get around the island lugging him on the back of a bike just didn't seem worth it - AND Jacob was free for almost everything we took him too since he is under 5!  PLUS, Jacob loved the horses so it was worth it - and being wet and drizzly out, it was much easier to stay dry under the carriage than we would've been on a bike!)

Arch rock 

Jacob wanting to take a glimpse out into the lake, but he was just a little too short to see anything but sky (and no, holding him up was not an option - he wan't to do it by himself!)

Fort Mackinac was the next stop.  It's amazing how all the buildings are original buildings and have stayed standing this long.  It rained off and on while we visited the fort (thank goodness for buildings!)

Jacob again, LOVED the rifle firing demonstration.  Even though it had just poured down raining out minutes before, the guys were troopers (LITERALLY!) and even got down on their knees - and one down on his stomach - during the demonstration!  What a treat.

Overlooking Lake Huron from the top of Fort Mackinac

We again stuck around long enough to get to see the canon demonstration at Fort Mackinac.  We were a little closer to the canon this time, so it was a bit louder (if you couldn't tell from the look on Jacob's face - poor thing).

The last stop on the carriage tour was the Grand Hotel.  I have never been inside the Grand Hotel despite the many trips I took to Mackinac as a kid.  It is pretty fancy, but Jason and I couldn't figure out what all the 'fuss' was about.

Jacob in front of the gardens at the Grand Hotel.  This isn't just another 'one' of those pictures we took either. The story behind the picture? When I was around 2, my parents took me up to Mackinac Island during the summer (the dead of summer none-the-less) and took my picture in front of the flower gardens in front of the Grand Hotel.  Since we went at the beginning of August, it was not same flowers as when I had gotten my picture taken in front of - because goodness, it was 20 some years ago :) , but close enough!

Jacob wanted to make a call home to Momow and Grandma and tell them how much fun he was having.

This is my 'postcard picture' from our trip.  I love the mist/haze so I had to share!

We had to stop at the Blacksmith before we left for the day, knowing Jacob would have a blast in the 'shop'.  He didn't disappoint either!  He played with the tool that kept the fire going (forgive me if I don't get technical with the name) which just turns and turns and turns......He did ask the blacksmith what he did with the fire (and surely let him know when the fire was going out!) and the blacksmith of course, obliged to show Jacob what a blacksmith did.  He took a horseshoe nail and fired it and pounded it and fired it some more and when he was done, he had made a little 'spoon' out of the nail.  Best part of all, Jacob got to keep the little spoon - which now sits on my desk and he has to show everyone who comes into the house, his 'spoon' that he got in Mackinac!

It turned out to be a great day about the time we were leaving the island - which in turn, ended up being a busy day on the island so it was good we went when we did, rain and all!

Up next on Day 4: Sault St. Marie and the Soo Locks