Making Memories in Mackinac

The summer after John and I started dating (summer of 2001), John’s parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  His parents had traveled to many different places around the country (and world, actually!), but one of their very favorites was Mackinac Island, Michigan.  At the time, John’s oldest brother and family lived in Michigan.  To celebrate his parents’ wonderful and special milestone, the Buechler family (John’s parents and his five siblings and their families) spent a few days at his brother’s house and then everyone headed up to Mackinac Island.  I had never been and had no idea what to expect.  What a wondrous place!  

 
We love it there.  So much so that the Buechlers have been back every summer since (the whole family doesn’t always get to go...and my family did miss a couple years here and there).  It turns out that my dad and his family often went there growing up (and loved it!).  Now our Mackinac Island summer vacations most always include both the Buechler and Rendel families.  It’s a special time...treasured family time.

This past July, the Buechler (3 of 6 kids and John's Mom - we sadly lost John’s Dad in the spring of 2004...Mackinac wasn’t the same without him for several years...but it’s a place where his presence is felt!) and Rendel families (3 of 4 kids and my mom and dad) packed up the suitcases, bikes, helmets, etc. and headed to the “pleasant peninsula.”  It was an AWESOME trip...

The ferry ride over...a fun part of the trip!

 
There are so many things I love about Mackinac...
 
...the lighthouses...

...The Mackinac Bridge...

 ...the horses...

...the fudge, the goodies, the ice cream...

The shoes in the upper left corner are chocolate and the lighthouse in the lower right corner is fudge!

 
...bike riding...

 ...the history...

The Grand Hotel...NO, we didn't stay there!

This is where we stayed...The Lilac Tree

Fort Mackinac

...downtown...

 ...the shopping...

...the food huts and restaurants...

Tyler having fun with the statue outside the restaurant, Goodfellas...

...the island's beautiful Catholic Church, St. Anne's

...the houses and the flowers...

The East Bluff and the West Bluff...the difference is that the families that own houses on the West Bluff actually know how much money they have!

LOVED this...the SYCAMORE cottage!

If I had to choose, I would say my favorite part of Mackinac is the memories we make together with family.  I associate this vacation/trip with family.  Our families look forward to it all year long.

The Rendels

Our Family

Pa and Lauryn...she wants those glasses (or the beard)!

The Buechlers

While it would still be a lovely vacation if we went by ourselves, I’m not sure the specialness of it would be there.  That time spent with our families is precious and priceless.  

COUSINS

We made a lot of memories in Mackinac Island this year...memories that will last a lifetime.

Yep...this is a "repeat" picture (from another post)...but it's my favorite!  :)