The Dennis family took this past week to get in a tour around Mackinac Island before school officially started this week. The first two shots were taken in Father Marquette Park on the Island where Walter was trying to make friends with an immature seagull. It made for a good close-up shot of the bird for Jeff Dennis. Next stop was in front of the Grand Hotel, for a beautiful view, including a horse and carriage taxi trotting by.

From there the family biked back down to the main street with the residences and beautiful gardens and just around the corner, coming into the “business district” with all the shops and hotels along the way.

They also made a stop at the Mackinac Island Cemeteries, where Jeff snapped a shot of his “trusty steed” in front of the cemetery gate. As they made their way back downtown, they made a stop at Fort Holmes, a small wood and earthen fort found on the Island’s highest point. There is a historical marker at this fort which explains its history: “Here in 1812 on the island’s highest point, a blockhouse and stockade were built by the British and named Fort George. It was the bulwark of British defenses in 1814 when the American attack was repulsed. After the war the Americans renamed the post in honor of Maj. Holmes who was killed during the American assault in 1814. The fort was not maintained by the Americans however. The present blockhouse is not the original building.”

While Walter was trying to make friends with the seagull, Jeff was also able to get a good video of their new feathered friend, including a quick look at the marina in view, too.

Passenger ship just arriving in Houghton now.

Nice pix but for future reference, Mackinaw gulls prefer Mackinaw

fudge…don’t cha know.

Cool stuff!

Very nice pictures. I love that place. It's
so beautiful.