A Weekend in Paradise (or was it hell ... hmmm)

I am starting to feel a little Dante-esque this summer - a weekend in Hell and now it was our turn for the weekend in Paradise. I guess we skipped Purgatorio for now.

We left Friday afternoon after a frantic search for the cat who was outside and nowhere to be found (we didn't find him until our return on Monday). We drove and drove with some crazy gas detour and lots of construction and made it to Gaylord, Michigan, but decided to skip the Call of the Wild Museum and just veg in the hotel room. We spent much of the drive discussing the morning's pediatrician visit (Andrew has not gained a single ounce in 5 months!!! That is 1/3 of his life!!! The doctor was only mildly concerned). After some Olympics watching, it was time for sleep.

Saturday morning we drove the hour to Mackinaw City and took the ferry to Mackinac Island.


We immediately rented bikes and rode around the island for a couple hours. After a brief detour to see this cool rock formation

before Andrew promptly fell asleep, which was a little awkward at best. We stopped several times to try to adjust him with no avail. Everyone who passed us by laughed and laughed. But we didn't get any pictures of it, but here Andrew is in the bike.


We stopped by a playground and played for a little bit.

Then, we dropped off our bikes and had some yummy burgers.
After playing in the grass

we walked down the streets, admired the horses

bought some fudge

and then walked down to the beach.
After playing near the water (we didn't really want Andrew to get in since he's been sick for the last two weeks)
,
we played with puzzles and read some stories in the public library.
Then, we decided to go on a hike and Katsu was kind enough to carry Andrew the WHOLE way. We hiked to Skull Cave (which was very disappointing)

and climbed up over 100 steps to the peak of the island for a gorgeous view

.
Andrew woke up at the end of our hike, so we did some last minute shopping and then took the ferry back.

I enjoyed Mackinac Island. There were more crowds then I was expecting, but out biking and hiking, it wasn't too bad. I liked the quiet of the no-cars thing, but the people out on their jet skis were pretty loud :-(. I don't understand people who have to ruin the "quiet" of nature with loud expensive toys. And the fudge and food was very yummy. Lots of fun, kind of expensive, kind of crowded, and very beautiful.

Stay tuned for the rest of our trip ....