Hobelman Family

We entered Canada on October 5th, at Port Huron, MI.

Here we are in Niagara Falls, Canada!
After checking in the kids had to check out the indoor pool!

Here is the view of The Falls from our hotel.

We decided to walk down to a local Pizzeria for dinner.

After dinner we wanted to see The Falls, so we took a walk down Clifton Hill to see it. Clifton Hill is very touristy street that is full of lights and attractions. This is a picture of Ripleys Believe it or Not.

Here are The American Falls at night.

...and Niagara Falls

Maid of the Mist boat dock

On our way back to the hotel I stopped to take a picture of the Ferris Wheel on Clifton Hill.

...and of course to strike a pose!

The next morning we headed back down to the falls so we could beat the rain.
Here are The American Falls.

Horseshoe Falls

Overlooking The Horseshoe Falls

Dad and Mom

The sun peaked out and we got this amazing shot!

On our way down to The Maid of the Mist.

The launching of the boats.

Mom has always wanted to ride on The Maid of the Mist. So here we are all rain geared up to get on the boat!

The rain gear sucked!

It was really windy and kept blowing it off our heads so we gave up and just took it all in!

Kaia waving at Grandpa!

Really???

More Sun peaking through! Gorgeous!

They had recently watched the movie Big with Tom Hanks and thought this was so cool!

Kaia taking a break while waking back to the car.

Wow, Mackinac Island has to be the most beautiful place I have seen!

Our day started out in Mackinaw City where we ate breakfast in the hotel and then headed to Arnold Transit to take a ferry to the island. It was very interesting to see the differences between the mainland and the island. One main thing I observed was that when they loaded the luggage onto the ferry from the mainland they used a motorized cart and when we got to the island they used plain and simple manpower.

The only motorized vehicles on the island are a police car, an ambulance which I didn't see, and a moving type truck. All other transportation consists of bikes and horses.

I didn't like the looks of these life rafts.

Seth inside the ferry.

Mom and Dad

It was a chilly that day but the sun was shining and I didn't want to sit inside the stuffy ferry so I rode on top with 2 other people. We sat on the front row so the wind was blocked by the windows.

The Mackinac Bridge from the ferry.

We were told that a horse drawn carriage ride was the way to go to see the island. There are the large tour ones that carry about 50 people that run $25 each or you can hire a private driver for $100. We went the private route and it was so worth it. The driver was so nice and told us all about the history of the island. She told us that she lives on the island all year and drives the carriage during the summer and around October when everything shuts down she is a full time paramedic.

Seth and Kaia on the carriage.

Traffic jam! LOL

The houses and landscapes are well taken care of and were so beautiful.

This is the main street that runs through town.

Those are the larger tour carriages.

The carriage took us right by The Grand Hotel.

After we finished the very chilly carriage ride around the island I turned to my Mom and said "They really should open a Starbucks on the island" (I was really craving a Chai Tea Latte) Well then I looked up and it appeared! WooHoo!!!

While Mom and Dad waited for the ferry the kids and I walked to the next street over so we could see some more of the island.

Emergency services building.

So glad we didn't miss the Town Crier!

Lake Huron and The Mackinac Bridge

The making of fudge! It seems that every other store sold fudge.

The way back to the mainland. They didn't last long on the top.

When I posted on Facebook that we would be in Mackinaw City I was told to make sure I tried a Pastie. I had no idea what it was at the time but I sure am glad I listened to her.

Click Here to if you want to know what a Pastie is!