Mackinaw Island

We had the most magical summer adventure on Mackinaw Island. Dave has been eying an anesthesia conference hosted at The Grand Hotel each summer and this was the summer that the dates and timing worked out.

The journey there was long, two flights, a two hour drive, a ferry ride, and a horse drawn carriage ride later, we were at our destination. But it was amazing. There are no vehicles on Mackinaw, so the only mode of transportation is bike or horse. It set the tone for a low key long weekend on a quiet and charming island.

The Grand Hotel was amazing, its an old hotel full of class, funk, and charm. The meals are formal and the entire hotel goes into a dress code mode at 6pm. Our kids learned more about etiquette in five short days than they have in their entire lives. I love that they were exposed to it. There were young families everywhere so we felt like we fit right in.

Our days consisted of breakfast at the hotel followed by swimming at the pool until Dave would meet us for a quick poolside lunch before we would figure out our adventure for the day. We rode bikes, hiked, played mini golf, went for ice cream outings, and enjoyed family time. It was just what we needed before winding down a busy summer.

Enjoy the photo overload-its really hard to narrow down the 100 photos I took to the handful I post :).

Easy peasy traveling with these three.

BFFs when you least expect it. 

Keeping everyone at the same pace is no easy task. 

Our first impression of the hotel- wow! 

The gardens were incredible. 

Heading up the hill to the hotel. 

The kids bed. 

Breakfast adventures in the main dining room.
Is this a hat or a napkin?

The lovely pool. 

The vacation photographer. 

Sweet Pip. 

Horse carriage taxi ride back to the hotel. 

Having a little down time ;). 

Piper took a carrier nap on our hike day.
I worked long and hard for that nap. 

Formal family photos.
Did I mention they have a photographer on hand at the hotel for these photos?!

Loving the kids buffet, more specifically, the dessert buffet. 

Piper, using manners and making eye contact...
with her napkin in her lap. My Grandma Connelly would be SO proud. 

Post hike dip in Lake Huron. 

Bike riding adventures. Burleys and tag-alongs make everything possible.  

Date night! 

Another dip in Lake Huron- Greta. 

Sully! 

8.2 miles around the island with scenery just like this. 

More of the gardens back at the hotel. 

Fancy dinner at the hotel. 

Yassss to the dessert bar.

Margaret's flowers located in the hotel, they honored
Greta because she shares a name with the shop. 

Mini golf, on real grass, I love Greta's golf stance.

Post golf selfie. 

The kids on Main St. with the horses and bikes in the back. 

Wishing well fun.

Sully and Dave twinning in their sport coats. 

Last, but not least, the sunflowers.
Michigan is so beautiful.