A Day At Mackinac Island

Sunday, September 14

Our original plan this morning was to board the 9:00 a.m. ferry to Mackinac Island, but when we started out for the car it was spitting rain and only 43 degrees with brisk winds so we decided to wait an hour and see if it would improve a bit.  It was marginally better so we took the 10:00 ferry

along with a few other diehards determined to have a good day despite the weather.

The forty-five minute ride gave us a chance to see the Mighty Mac from yet another viewing point

as well as points on and around the island such as the Grand Hotel

plus a freighter making its way to Lake Huron.

With all of our layers of clothes fastened tightly and hats and hoods pulled over our heads we walked through town and up the hill toward the Grand Hotel

past the old stone church where services were in progress

to the very top where we could see the full length of this huge, well know, five star hotel in all its splendor including lots of flower gardens, .

One of the fun things to do at the hotel is to sit in a rocker on the front porch

and just enjoy the view of the gardens and water

and simply soak up the ambiance.  No one was doing that!! It was totally empty because of the cold and winds so we ducked inside and enjoyed simply walking around and seeing the various public rooms like the theater,

the Terrace Room used for dancing and entertainment each evening,

the art gallery and shops while we warmed up and waited

for noon and the Grand Buffet Luncheon.

It was truly worth the wait!!!!!

Tables lined the center of the dining room with a huge selection of appetizers including shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon and haddock, salad makings, mixed salads, fresh and dried fruits, fruit muffins and rolls, hot and cold vegetables, pastas, meatballs, poached salmon, marinated chicken breast, and ham. The dessert selection was beyond description - a huge selection of delectables.

And a piano player provided wonderful background music while we enjoyed our meal

When we could eat no more, we did some more wandering ending up in the Cupola Bar at the top of the hotel where we could look out at the grounds and see the beautiful surroundings without being out in the cold and brisk winds.

But alas we had to move on so we did it in style riding back down into town in one of the hotels closed carriages with a smartly dressed driver.

And what fun that ride was as we were entertained by several of the women riding with us who had a variety of funny stories to share from some of their journeys together.

Back in town, we purchased tickets for the two hour horse and buggy tour of the island.  We were pleased to find heavy blankets available to drape over our legs as our driver took us around sharing funny stories and pointing out all of the highlights including the fort,

historical buildings and homes,

the cemeteries including this military one,

the heavily wooded area of the state park,

the governor's summer mansion,

the naturally formed huge stone arch

where we could get yet another viewpoint of the island

At one point we had to transfer from a carriage pulled by two horses to one pulled by three horses.

There we were given time to visit the Grand Hotels carriage house

that included not only all of the horse stalls

and the equipment needed for pulling the carriages but a museum of carriages and sleighs used over the years.

Once we reached the Michigan Governor's home, we were given the option of continuing the ride past things we'd already seen to return to the town or to simply walk down the hill to the return point.  Since it was faster to do that, we chose to walk and enjoy the views at our pace.

Then do just a little looking an shopping before catching the 5:00 pm ferry for a return trip to the mainland.  We did pick up a copy of the movie "Somewhere in Time" that was made at the hotel to watch soon for a fun view of the hotel and life there.

The sun did peek out a bit in the late afternoon but it only got to 51 degrees so we were just as glad to get back to our motorhomes and get thoroughly warmed up.  Ken enjoyed having a chance to watch a bit of football while I walked over to the Straits to see if there was any kind of a sunset.  Heavy clouds meant precious little color in the sky but I took a picture of what there was

and then played a game of 3-13 and Dealer's Choice with Gary and Judy before calling it a night as rain drops began to fall on the roof of the motorhome.