Mackinac Island

How do you pronounce it?

Let's clear this up right away...

The "c" is silent on the end, so it sounds like 'aw'; Mackinaw Island. This has always bothered me when others say either "Mackinac" or "Mackinaw". So, now you know.

It's pronounced "Mackinaw Island", despite the 'c'.

Now there is also the mainland city across the water spelled "Mackinaw City". It too, is pronounced the same.

So, why two of the same names with two different spellings??

Way back when settlers landed on the island, they came up with 100's of different spellings, but eventually agreed on "Mackinac Island". When "Mackinaw City" was established, they changed the ending letters so that postal services would be able to distinguish between the two.

I know you were all gonna ask (at least my non-Michigan friends), so there you have it.

Now on to some great pics from our trip...

First off, we ran into Greg's cousin Joanna and her boyfriend on the ferry ride to the island...so random, but so fun to see them!

Greg- "Come on Shan, you gotta take a picture of that..."

Me-"ummm, ok?"

Two big trucking companies shipping their cargo to the island.

What can I say? My husband loves trucks.

Just some good old-fashioned rock skipping.

The famous "Grand Hotel"- $400 a night people!

With the longest front porch in the world.

In front of our adorable hotel - "The Harbour View Inn"

Loved staying there....would do it again.

Went out for one nice, "dress-up-worthy" dinner.

I think it was the best fish I've had since living in Slovenia....yummm.

We managed to only have one fight the whole weekend.

Biking + trails + confusing map = marriage builder for sure.

Once I gave up the map and let my "professional navigator" do his magic, we had a great time! Funny how that works. :)

Only bikes and horse drawn carriages are allowed on the island.

Makes for some interesting "pedestrian crossing".

Overall, a WONDERFUL trip. And we are especially thankful to Greg's parents for watching little miss Kensie for the weekend. It was such a treat, even though we missed her terribly.

Here's what I woke up to this morning...