When Tawny and Takoda paddled their kayaks on the north side of the island,
they passed by Arch Rock.
The dramatic limestone formation, Arch Rock, has a huge fan club.
And why not? It’s size and beauty are intriguing and so is the view of the lake, 145 feet below.
There is an ancient legend that the arch was formed by the tears of a young Indian
woman who fell in love with a native “sky person”
and was forced by her father to stand upon a large rock until she
promised never to see her true love again. Her tears slowly melted
the rock and formed an arch. Ultimately, her “sky love’ came and
took her up to the stars to live in eternal happiness.
This sturdy team of work horses from Mackinac Island Carriage Tours takes a break
in front of Arch Rock. They just pulled a wagon full
of tourists up the hill and don’t look as exhausted as the people
who biked or walked there.
Another team arrives. Their handlers say that when the horses
arrive on the island in spring, they can’t wait to get to work. They truly get bored
with relaxing all winter and want to expend that energy.
Carriages like this, with the fringe on top, line up in front of Fort Mackinac,
waiting to take tourists for a spin around the island. The drivers have
great tales to tell, but it’s the horses that people never forget.
Mackinac Postings 