MICHIGAN – MACKINAW CITY (LOWER PENINSULA)

MACKINAC ISLAND

6/29/22

Jaycie’s Bunny Hoppin’ News: We left on the ferry praying we would not get stranded [like last time]. There were SO many people! Momma found where we needed to go. We met John, our carriage driver. He was funny. [we also saw him 3 more times after we got off] [small island] Jett and Daddy forged knives while Momma and I shopped and explored this butterfly greenhouse thing. They had a gnome castle with little gnome dragons! We hopped on another ride [horse carriage]. All the transportations were horse drawn carriages or bicycles. We saw this cool arch and lots of trees and a few cemeteries. After that, we shopped! I love shopping! We also at Gatehouse Grill. It was very good! We found ice cream and kept shopping. We caught a ride on the ferry and made it home. [whew!]

Jett’s Wild Flight: First we went to our tour on the island. We had John, who was awesome and funny. He was from Transylvania like Dracula. He wasn’t scary, though. John took us around what was the 2nd National Park, but now is a state park. Then my dad and I did “Forge a memory” and forged a knife. We explored some more and saw an arch. It was made out of limestone. We ate lunch and shopped. After we went to a church and sat down and looked at the walls. Then we went to the ferry and left.

Jules’ Journal: Today was by far my most favorite day thus far! Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw Island) did NOT disappoint. We took the 9:30am Ferry over and immediately hopped on the Horse drawn carriage tour through the downtown, the Grand Hotel, and then onto the back of the island. We ate some homemade donuts (delicious!) Jason and Jett forged a Horse and Pony knife at the “Forge a Memory” by famous forger, Chad Osborne. Jett’s pony knife was forged out of a pony horsehoe and likewise Jason’s out of an adult horsehoe.

While the boys did “boy stuff” the girls did “girl stuff!” We enjoyed the Butterfly House with so many species of butterflies flying around us. The flowers were beautiful and so fragrant. The butterflies frequented Jaycie’s shirt and hair. I had a couple land on me as well.

The whole island was bustling with people and activities that everywhere we turned there something neat to look at. Some lilacs were still in bloom and their fragrance was so dreamy!

All the flower gardens and grounds were immaculate!

We ate lunch at the Gateway Grill & Jaycie said it was the best restaurant ever! (That’s sayin’ something!) Jett had a rootbeer float & Jaycie had a virgin pina colada which were cold & refreshing given the heatwave we were experiencing! We did some shopping (okay lots of shopping) and visited Anne’s Cathedral. The architecture and stain glass was so beautiful we just had to stop and admire it all. Even though hot, we were grateful for the sunshine and calm waters!

We headed back on the ferry around 4pm and cooked dinner over the campfire. Since it was Wednesday, Jaycie and I tuned into Cedarpoint Students and enjoyed worshipping with our people from a distance. Overall, an awesome first day in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan!

SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE

7/1/22

Jett’s Wild Flight: First, we drove 2.5 hours. Then we watched a movie about the National Lakeshore and completed the Jr. Ranger program. After we did the scenic drive we had a picnic and ate a giant cookie. Then we drove to a giant sand dune and took pictures. Last, we drove back and saw an airshow on the way back. Very last we went to the beach and built sand castles.

Jules’ Journal: We got up early (6:30am) so we could be on the road by 7:30am. We hit up the visitor’s center first after driving 2.5 hours so the kids could get started on their Jr Ranger booklets. They earned their badges (cool wooden ones) and also got a special 50th year badge also! Jaycie was elated! We then picked up food from a local café and headed into the park for a picnic on “picnic mountain.” (Seemed like the thing to do given the name!) Then we finished our 7 mile scenic drive which popped us out at the dunes which we climbed to the top. The view from the top was spectacular! It was a 450 ft. dune of sand that butted up against Lake Michigan with forests surrounding it that were all growing out of the sand – the ranger called it a “micro climate.”

After taking many photos, we headed back 2.5 hours. During the drive we finished the Harry Potter Book 1 (audio version) & then caught up on our church sermon we missed from being stranded on the island the previous Sunday. On our way home, we happened to run into the Cherry Festival in Traverse City! We got their just in time to see the Air show – A bomber plane and several Jets flying over us for several miles driving down the coast. Jason was awestruck! He was in heaven! Once we got home we unloaded and decided to drive a few miles down to the local public beach for a few minutes so the kids could build some sand castles. It was a very long day but we all learned a lot and had fun doing it!

PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE

7/2/22

Jaycie’s Bunny Hoppin’ News: Pictured Rocks was my favorite lakeshore. [It had less sand] I liked all the rocks! I wanted to see the shipwrecks but “we didn’t have time.” [we had time] I did like the lighthouse except for it being 87 ft. high [and it was swaying a bit] [so Yup!] I enjoyed the waterfalls, too!

Jules’ Journal: We woke up early again today and the kids had proudly showered me with homemade cards and gifts – which are the absolute BEST! The kids are so creative, each thing was so special to me. Jaycie even hand wove me a basket with my very own 40th badge! So cute! We then got in the car & there was Jason’s card. It was the perfect card – he’s so good with words and knows how to make me feel so appreciated and loved! We crossed back up into the UP for the day and drove 2 hours. Like the previous day, we visited the Visitor’s Center first and picked up the Jr. Ranger Booklets. These activities called for very hands on learning, so we made a game plan and set off to explore & sightsee!

We ended up hiking about 5 miles and saw 3 waterfalls, the Pictured Rock Cliffs and the Au Sable Lighthouse. (Lighthouses are my absolute favorite! I’ve always been fascinated with them even as a little girl.) We actually got to tour the lighthouse and travel up the 98 stairs (87 ft) to upper railing to look out. The view was breathtaking. Jaycie even climbed it, I was so proud of her!

After all that exploring, the kids earned their Jr Ranger badges and we headed to Pictured Rocks Pizza and ate birthday dinner on their beautiful outdoor patio area. We drove 2 hours home and then went to downtown Mackinaw City for Birthday ice cream! For some reason Michigan ice cream is just next level! It was so much more creamier and delicious.

As we ate our ice cream we walked the streets of downtown and watched several talented street performers. One guy was a living bronze statue and scared the lady walking in front of me half to death when he moved to shake her hand. It was pretty funny! I had a fabulous first day of 40!!!!