June 25: A Shortcut and a Hard Thump

More Mackinac to share...after all, since we're here for another 2 days, there's not much new I'm likely to experience that doesn't involve the Island. Today, on our walk down from Stonecliffe into town, a family walking in front of us (they actually started way behind us...which gives you an idea about how quickly we were moving with the kids in tow) clued us into a different route off of Annex Road that led us to West Bluff Road and exited directly in front of the Grand Hotel. It was a much more scenic route than the surrounding forest we continually viewed on the journey up to our Inn the evening before. This particular route took us past the West Bluff which offered a beautiful view of both Lake Huron and the Bridge (which, by the way, you can see from home any time you like via the Bridge Cam). I never even knew this route existed, as I had never hiked around the Grand Hotel on my previous two trips to the Island. Unfortunately, during our journey, my daughter decided to attempt carrying her brother which resulted in a horrific tumble which we immediately became aware of upon hearing the dull thud of my son's head hitting cement. Yes, it was that sound. The one that leaves you wincing at first, then eventually sick to your stomach as you worry about what kind of impact it's going to have, both short- and long-term. Fortunately, my son was no worse for the wear, as he rebounded quickly and showed no other side effects or symptoms to lead us to believe that he suffered anything more than a bump and a little soreness. Talk about thanking your lucky stars....