Everything Happens For A Reason...or does it?

'Oh,

if you're

going to

Michigan

than seeing

Mackinaw City

is a must'

said 9 out of 10

people we

talked to

while

planning our

trip...maybe

even 10 out of 10.

So, once we headed North from Traverse City, Mackinaw City was our next stop. Since Mackinac Island doesn't allow any cars, the KOA in Mackinaw City would be our next campground. Which is close enough to make a day trip out of this highly revered island.

We planned to go the next day after arriving, since the weather forecast was in our favor and it was top of our list. We were thrilled to learn that this island was extremely dog friendly. Pearl couldn't wait to set out and explore.

We took a shuttle over to the ferry landing. Then waited in the queue to take the ferry over to the nearby island. The ferry was full and Pearl sat in the aisle giving nearby passengers a chance to say hello.

Once we arrived, the main street looked like something out of a movie from Disneyland. Lots of bicycles, pedestrians and even horse drawn carriages filled the street but not a car to be found.

We walked down to the corner where there was some open space and grass for Pearl to have a moment. The sign at the shore said 'Absolutely NO swimming, strong currents here.' We believed them, for we've heard countless stories about how treacherous the Great Lakes can be, never mind the song Edmond Fitzgerald paints quite the picture.

After our short but sweet time in the park, we sauntered down the other direction to inquire about the horse drawn carriage ride. We were told that even our dog could go.

That was true, we were able to find the stand where they sold tickets and purchased tickets for all of us! Pearl needed a ticket too because she was considered a big dog - which seemed fair, luckily the lower price of a kid ticket sufficed. I was happy to do so, for now she can sit comfortably and to take in the sights.

She was really intrigued by the horses. The carriage took us through town and then worked our way up the hill, taking breaks as needed for our two horses. We stopped at the top, about 45 minutes later and were let out at an area that had various stores and tourist attractions - on a refreshingly small scale - and the ability to hop on the next carriage once we were ready, to take us back down the hill.

Let me digress and tell you about my buttery soft, navy blue flats. I was in my early 30's and I thought this is what it must feel like to be a grown up as I stood proudly in my Nine West flats with two kids in tow. I have arrived.

I loved my first pair of flats so much and they made me feel very much in my element....until, a year later, we were in the midst of having 16 garage sales to liquidate our lives and move aboard a sailboat. Out they went with complete abandon and zero hesitation, along with 90% of my other worldly belongings.

If everything really does happen for a reason, why do I still miss how those buttery soft flats made me feel, 28 years later.

Yet everything really does always happen for a reason. We went to board the carriage to make our return trip and the person working there wanted us to squeeze over to make room for two more people. This would have put Pearl on the floor of the carriage in a very tight space.

I pipped up, 'She has her very own ticket! We can just wait for the next carriage so she can have a proper seat.'

By waiting for the very next carriage, just a few minutes later, we were delighted to have a delightful tour guide. First of all, he was from Romania which was a fun small world story since I was able to share my love of his homeland. Most of all he had the best sense of humor and delivery, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip down the mountain with him.

We wrapped up our day by having lunch on a deck with Pearl and then seeking out what they are known for, fudge! It makes me miss my Dad, for this was one of the things he was known for, his fabulous fudge. This fudge was just as delicious and we are still savoring it as we continue on down the road.

Meanwhile, I still miss my buttery soft flats. It's a conundrum, for I do believe that everything does happen for a reason. Who knows, maybe I would have tripped in them, or in time, they would have created a terrible bunion.

Sometimes we never really know the whole picture but I do trust, down to my very toes...that everything really does happen for a reason...even the story of my dearly missed flats.

Onwards and upwards, Shari