It's just like riding a bike, you never forget.
I'm pretty sure people who use this saying have ridden a bicycle more often than once every few decades.
Hopefully, at least, I provided some entertainment for the folks watching me wobble my way into muscle memory and staying upright. The hardest part about being back on a bike after such a long hiatus is remembering which handle bar has the rear brake and which one has the front brake because, let's face it, clutching the wrong one is painful.
Fortunately, it didn't take too long to be...balanced...on a two wheeled death machine as we rode about 10 miles that day. Walked about 5 miles and, according to google, climbed 33 floors.
Where are we?
Mackinac Island, MI.
A twenty minute ferry ride from Michigan's upper peninsula, Mackinac Island (pronounced ma kuh naa) is a popular tourist destination due to a combination of beautiful Victorian houses, lovely forested roads and, most importantly, there are no automobiles here. Nope, not a single one of any kind are allowed on the island which gives it a type of back in time feeling.
When riding the ferry, if the captain says it's going to be a rough ride. Believe him.
Stepping off the ferry drops you right in the middle of a Victorian-esque Main St which is the second thing you notice. The first is the overabundance of bicycles parked everywhere along the road as well as crowding it. It's like watching the beginning of the Tour de France, only with horse drawn taxi's and pedestrians jockeying for position tossed in.
We didn't have to go far to locate one of the many bicycle rentals and, after assessing the traffic situation, joined the masses on the road.
This photo was taken towards the end of the day after the streets quieted down
This is near the end of Main St
Aside from foot power, you can also catch a taxi or hotel shuttle to reach your destination. The really brave will rent a horse drawn carriage they get to drive themselves! Even the street cleaners have a two horse power vehicle.
Behind and above the tourist traps of Main St are beautiful Victorian era homes. Talk about charming!
There's even a pirate ship cruise you can take.
Mackinac Island isn't flat but it isn't so much rolling hills either. Rather it has one really large mound you need to ascend in varying spots to see what else the island offers. If you don't want to take a taxi, tour or bike, you can always take the stairs. Oh gawd the stairs.
Part of the staircases leading to L - to Arch Rock, R - from Fort Holmes
Of course we took the stairs. I mean, we were already walking and pedaling everywhere, why not add 200 plus steeply inclined wooden planks to mix it up a bit?
During our exploration, we visited two of the local attractions. Arch Rock, which is a very popular spot for taking selfies at. This isn't surprising given the natural beauty of the arch as it frames the turquoise water below. The other, Fort Holmes, is a reconstruction from the 1930s of a previous fort built in the early 1800s and sits atop the highest point on the island.
Finally, no visit to Mackinac Island is complete without seeing the great lady herself, The Grand Hotel.
It's important to remember when you stop by here to see the amazing 660 foot long front porch (claiming to be the largest in the world), do so before 5 pm as after that there is a traditional dress code in effect. Something we didn't know about so we had to admire this stunning lady from afar.
When all is said and done at the end of the day, this is an alluring little island that wants you to enjoy your stay.
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