Saturday, January 14, 2012

A Snowmobile Ride on My Birthday

It snowed! Friday the 13th is NOT unlucky- I was born on Friday the 13th, of January no less. So I had snow for my birthday! I may have helped because I tempted Murphy's Law and hadn't put the double stroller away.





We bundled & helmeted up for a family snowmobile ride! Our four year old immediately went off to a favorite winter activity: snowangel-making!




Our toddler got to use her brand new snowmobile helmet! Last year we used a bike helmet for her because snowmobile helmets were too big for her one year old self to handle. She can do it this year, but isn't a fan. (You can't see it, but there was a pacifier involved initially.)




We girls rode in the big black sled. Last year, I wore my little one in a backpack when I drove (earning a nickname of "Sacagawea"). I learned the hard way that my arms are too short to have her in front of me and to turn right. Almost ended up in the Mustang the first time snowmobiled last winter. (shiver) Phil drove, so I sat in the sled with the girls. It was our first snowmobile ride of the winter and it was good to remind them of the rules (mainly- keep your hands inside the sled!)




Heading towards town!




Sitting in the sled means a view from a low perspective:




Downtown!




I love this view!




How we fit and sit in the big sled:





We got the mail (100% birthday cards!) and went to the hardware store to get gas (but it was closed after 4, we're rusty) and Doud's Market for groceries.




While Phil shopped for my birthday dinner, I walked to Marquette Park with the girls. A snowy Father Marquette and Fort Mackinac:




A beautiful Mackinac winter scene behind us (one of my favorite pics of the day):





She isn't used to the sound of snowmobiles passing yet.




Anxious to get to the playground:




Our preschooler is much faster- I carried our littlest a good portion of the trek (she was content to sit and eat snow). Almost there!




Turns out she can do pretty much everything she could in the summer even though she's wearing mittens. Makes me a tad nervous though!




My precious girls!














Snow-covered trees:




Low evening sun:




Trinity Church in the distance:





Someone has ventured up the stairs to the east bluff!




An untouched bench:




The 5 o'clock ferry is pulling into the harbor.




Looking west to the sun:










Afterward, Phil made an amazing birthday dinner for me! The steak was so delicious I completely forgot to take a picture! We had root beer floats for dessert :)

10 comments:

  1. Looks like a super fun morning. I popped out to get K from a sleepover at a friend's house and it sure was nice to be able to ride the snowmobile!

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    1. Amen! (Who'd have thought I'd ever look forward to snowmobiling a year ago?)

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  2. Great pictures! We live in Mackinaw City and came over after Christmas to enjoy the bright sunshine.. no snow.. and construction noise on main street. : ) We made the rounds of the three restaurants that were still open then.. but Sinclair's already had a limited menu, because they were getting ready to close. The soup at The Village Inn was really good and the renovations nice too. The Mustang was still the Mustang which is always great : ) I love the tranquil beauty of snow on the island. We just love your little Island home..especially in the off season. However, we love to come in the spring summer and fall too. Both of my younger children have worked the summers through their college careers. Brett will begin his seventh year as a soldier interpreter at the fort this summer ,if his schedule allows! Ashlee did tours and drove the handicapped taxi last summer. It is a magical place for sure! Thanks for sharing your adventure and Happy Birthday!!!

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  3. I've always wanted to spend winter on the 'Island', thanks to your wonderful pictures I get to experience it through you. please keep up the good work! Love your Life on the Island in pictures!

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  4. Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures on the Island. It provides so much enjoyment for those of us who can't be there all the time.

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  5. I join the others in wishing you a very Happy Birthday. I too must say how happy I am to have found this Blog. We purchased the DVD last aummer about life on the island in the winter and it was an enjoyable eye opener. Now, I get to live it, vicariously, through you. What GREAT fun it must be. Do you live at Mission Point...like maybe in a "cottage" on the grounds? How many people live there year 'round now? Do you know Don and Diane Goeckel, ("Dr. Don") who live (part-time) in the condos by Mission Point? He's a fellow pilot and friend of ours. We live in Gaylord (1 yr. now) and drove up to Mack City last night to have dinner at the Dixie Saloon. LOVE their perch!! The bridge was very pretty all lit up. I was surprised we couldn't see the island...guess there aren't enough lights there in the winter to be able to see it at night. LOVE your blog...I've told my daughter and daughter-in-law about it too. We've been coming to Mackinac Island since 1969. For 18 years we came in our boat and stayed at the marina (BEFORE they remodeled it....Ha Ha) but before our boating days...and now after, we stay in hotels. Our daughter was married at The Little Stone Church and had her reception at The Island House (18 years ago) Our son brought his new bride to the island for their honeymoon (2 years ago). She was visiting for the 1st time and fell in love with it. She told him she wasn't leaving!!! Thanks again for your Blog...I love reading about my favorite place on earth!!!!

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  6. Thank you for all the birthday wishes! I'm glad people are enjoying my MackinacMommy Blog and the encouragement means a lot!

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  7. I ENJOY READING YOUR BLOG! MACKINAW ISLAND IS SUCH A BEAUTY!
    WE VISIT ON VACATION USUALLY A WEEKEND OR TWO IN THE SUMMER AND WITH EVERY VACATION I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS ON "WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO LIVE HERE". READING YOUR BLOG MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM ABLE TO EXPERIENCE EVERY PART OF THE ISLAND. THANK YOU AND KEEP BLOGGING!!!!

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    1. Mackinac Island is beautiful year round! Thank you for letting me know that you enjoy it- comments mean a lot to me! I am challenging myself to post at least one picture a day this year- but as you can see, I'm managing to include more! :) (Not hard to do between my precious girls and this lovely island!)

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  8. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =). We could have a hyperlink change contract between us! mosscolella.com/michigan-snowmobile-accident-lawyers/

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