Festival of the Horse: Inaugural Parade

The Inaugural Parade for the Festival of the Horse

Everyone on Mission Point's lawn waiting to start the parade:





The leader getting the flag in its holder:


What a stunning way to start!





I totally want to own period attire too!





Mackinac Island's 4H Club:


This cowboy smiled for me!



Jade liked watching the horses! (Kaya did too, she just insisted on sitting on the grass next to the stroller).


This duo was all smiles:


This cute horse posed:



The riding stable:


A student recognizes Phil (he was a substitute teacher)


These children are with the Little Barn on Mission Hill:


Blaze, probably the most beloved horse on the island!








Thus ends the inaugural parade!

Location:Mackinac Island

The Fort, a Festival, and Fun

I took the girls to the fort on Wednesday. We stopped at the Missionary Bark Chapel on the way up.


Kaya wanted to buy the hat...


A freighter passed:


We didn't feed it any coins, but Kaya was content.


Waiting for the rifle demonstration- Jade was generous enough to give a forced, although still cute, smile:



I don't recall seeing as many as four soldiers at a demonstration before. My fort visits must tend to occur later in the season. Nice marching!


Rob is looking sharp in the soldier's uniform- the mutton chops are awesome! We both are haunted history tour guides by night.


Listening:


And to balance out the potential gender stereotype we go from phones to rifles!


The blue screen/tv feature is impressive and Kaya kept returning:






A magic lantern:


Gotta love dress up!





Soldier uniforms to try on too:



No mistaking who this bed belongs to:








View upon exiting the front of the fort:


The original walls still stand! (Impressive since constructed in 1779):


We watched the Festival of the Horse Parade! My next blog will be all about enjoying the Festival of the Horse, but here is one of my favorites from Wednesday's parade:


After the parade we headed downtown for ice cream and to meet up with Phil's dad, who was on island for the sailing race:


We picked up the mail as long as we were downtown. Mailboxes aren't an option- only PO Boxes. I took some pictures while on historic Market Street:






The harbor was packed with anticipation for the next day's race:


We found Phil's dad! He is on the crew for the Sky Ship for the sailing race:


The Sky Ship is the sailboat on the left:



Hanging out downtown after some ice cream from Sander's:


Very cool Kaya!



On our way home we passed a bee enjoying a lily by Ryba's:

Location:Mackinac Island

My Season Bucket List

I have been pondering my "Season Bucket List" for this year. Since we are over half way through July, it is about time to commit!

Here are some left over from last year:

Kayak: I had never tried it until I kayaked in the Les Cheneaux Islands over this 4th of July weekend... And I liked it! There are kayak tours of the island through Mission Point's Activity Center. Kayaking from Mackinac Island would be a fun bonus!



Dance at the Grand Hotel: ...with my husband. At least twice. There is nightly ballroom dancing in the Terrace Room, and I would love to dress up and dance with my Phil.



Fort Holmes / Fireworks: St. Ignace does fireworks every Saturday night at dusk until Labor Day. It would be cool to watch them from Fort Holmes, the highest point on Mackinac Island.



Tandem bike: I have observed countless duos attempting the tandem bike. Some are great and some are more challenged. Living on Mackinac Island, I feel like I should have experienced the tandem bicycle. I hear it is an exercise in communication.



Some new ones:

Hall of Mirrors: This seems like it would be fun with my little girls. We were in Caddywampus last week and checked out their fun mirrors. Kaya loved it, but Jade saw her imperfect reflection and said, "Oh, no!" I bet their reaction to the new mirror place will be fun!



Castle Rock: I have passed Castle Rock a bazillion times in St. Ignace, and one of these times I need to tackle those stairs and earn the great view!

Fort Mackinac: You've got to go at least once a season! I don't intend to skip it this year!



Fort Michilimackinac: I have never been there. I have a ferry pass and lots of precious summer days with my girls- why not hop across and check it out?



Attend a Jamacain service at St. Anne's: Every Wednesday night, St. Anne's holds a Jamacain worship service at 10:00pm. All are welcome. I would love to experience that service- I love God, and I know so many wonderful Jamaicans; the combination could only be awesome!



Eat at Chianti: Chianti is Mission Point's new Italian restaurant. I have heard it is excellent and am feeling left out. I want to get a taste (and a photo) of their flaming creme brule!

Location:Mackinac Island