May 9, 2022
Mackinac Island, MI
It’s 8 o’clock on the nose. We roll up to Pancake Chef because there is no other way to start the day. The closed sign still hangs in the window. Mason starts to panic, but at 8:01 they open the door. He is the first one inside to order his banana pancakes. I wait in the car with Gob, packing and prepping for our day-trip to the island.
Bellies full, we make our way to Sheplers Ferry. Gob is doped up, and still behaving unbelievably well as we wait to board. We situate ourselves on the upper deck, back row, where his barks will hopefully be the least disruptive. But of course a field trip of highschoolers boards at the last minute. Their shrieks and horseplay add to the cacophony of police-dog Gob trying unsuccessfully to reign in their mischief. Honestly though, Gob is mostly well behaved. Because we are feeding him breakfast one nugget at a time. And there is nothing Gob loves more than breakfast.
I specifically chose the 9:30 am ferry to enjoy the “Mighty Mac” experience of detouring under the bridge and getting a brief narrated tour. Twice in as many days I have seen a side of this bridge I had not known before. And while I still got some slamming pictures, all narrated information was drowned out by the aforementioned hooligans and ruckus.
As we near the island, we pass two lighthouses. The google description of one simply states, “this is a well-maintained lighthouse.” As if that was helpful information. Only 10 o’clock and I’ve already checked the first item off my Mackinac Island Bingo!
First stop once we de-boat, obviously, is coffee. I’ve chosen a spot off the main drag with outdoor seating, because, well, dog. But the Watercolor Cafe turned out to be as cutesy-artsy-fartsy as the name would imply. Mason enjoyed a delicious Chai latte. I became quickly obsessed with my Lilac latte. And we split a poppie – their version of a giant homemade pop-tart – which basically means that Mason had two bites and I ate the rest. Another bingo tile checked off.
Bellies full and caffeinated, we embark on our first hike. The first of many because motorized vehicles are not allowed, and Gob is not willing to ride in a horse drawn carriage or a bicycle basket. We stroll a mile or so along the outer island loop before we are forced to climb 207 stairs to see a rock formation. And by forced I mean that I really wanted to see it. And by rock formation I mean a geological marvel where water eroded the limestone to form a giant arch. You guessed it – it’s called Arch Rock.
From here we head to the tallest point on the island – Fort Hayes. As I look at the building, I wonder aloud if the architect meant to build it cattywamp, or if someone accidentally angled the second story off by 45 degrees.
Next up, we take the Breakfast Snack Trail to see a crack-in-the-island. During which time we ponder, is a breakfast snack a prelude to breakfast? Or maybe an encore? Anyway, along the many trails we wove through in an attempt to avoid horses, I become a master forager and identify ramps growing all around. I break off the tiniest piece of a leaf, searching for the garlicy scent. And when I find it I promptly shove that section in my mouth. The garlicy aroma floods my senses – the sharpness almost spicy. If you’ve never tried ramps, do yourself a favor and go to your local farmers market in late April/early May. Don’t wait, they have a very short season.
Our trail takes us past the airport, then “cave-in-the-woods”, and finally “crack-in-the-island”. Another geological feature of elemental decay.
Enough time has passed now that Mason needs lunch. I have promised him a hotdog stand. He is thrilled to the point that he makes the most Midwestern of proclamations: “If I could, I would alternate eating bologna sandwiches and chili dogs every day.” He continues dreaming and waxing poetic about hotdogs as we trapse through graveyards, still attempting to avoid horses on the main streets. We saunter past the Governer’s summer house. Then Fort Mackinac. And then we lose the battle and are bombarded by horse drawn carriages down the main street. Gob does not handle it well. But it also could have gone worse. Let’s just say he got a LOT of treats in an effort to distract him. And then to add insult to injury, the Doghouse is not there. The shack is boarded up, probably seasonally. Google has lied to me. Mason is distraught.
On to plan B, we walk 5 minutes farther and I deposit a hungry Mason at Gatehouse for a burger and a beer. While he dines, Gob and I relax in a park next door. And when Mason emerges satiated, I hand off the dog and go for a run.
Not just any run. I run the entire 8 mile outer loop around the island. M-185. I start just past the Grand Hotel. Snap a photo of the Devil’s Kitchen. Honestly, it’s been almost 2 weeks since my last run, and at first, I’m not feeling great. But then at mile 3, I puke. And then I feel 100% better and my last 5 miles go great! The sea (lake?) breeze, though working against me for most of the run, was quite refreshing. And I saw an eagle! In the wild! For the first time! Unfortunately, I wasn’t fast enough with my camera to get proof. Most impressively though, is the fact that I actually maintained the pace my Garmin watch coach, Greg, had set for me!
Tired and sweaty, I returned to the park to retrieve my boys. They were fast asleep, lounging in the sun.
And now, to get off the island. The calm waters we experienced this morning are now extremely choppy. We hoped to sit in the enclosed lower level of the ferry, but all of the seats are taken. We prepare ourselves (but mostly Gob) for a cold, bumpy, and wet 15 minute ride. But as soon as the first wave hits, we are soaked as though we are standing on the bridge at splash mountain. Gob immediately loses his cool. Dinner is apparently not enough of a distraction when Gob thinks the world is ending. We retreat to the cargo hold with our pup, who is now wet and shaking with fear. Thankfully the nice boat man allows us to stay. Gob still isn’t having fun, but he’s at least quietly cowering into my body as I kneel on the floor, trying to comfort him. When we reach the dock, back on the main land, I promise Gob he never has to get on a boat again.
He is practically dancing as he prances to the car. The feeling of solid ground too much for his brain to handle. He climbs in and is almost instantly asleep. Poor boy faced a lot of triggers today: bikes, horses, choppy boat rides, loud teens. But honestly, he did really well! On his report card, I’d give him a solid C.
Check out my other Michigan State Park adventures!
Interested in checking out this park? Find out more here!
Hypertenuse 