Biking Mackinac Island, Michigan

Biking Mackinac Island is pretty easy. It takes about two hours of leisurely bicycling to get around the island and as a special bonus (for those of us who like to bicycle leisurely) ...no hills!

The Island House

Arch Rock

Lunch at The Village Inn was lovely. 

Dinner at The Yankee Rebel Tavern

Sunset on Mackinac Island

The Story of The Mackinac Ice Bridge

OK, so it's not really a bridge. It's a path or a Christmas Tree line.

Photo Credit: 'Ice Bridge' the movie
http://www.icebridgethemovie.com/

Time to get all comfy-cozy as you are about to read a heartwarming story of one man who made a huge difference in the lives of many.
                       
Disclaimer: I have no clue if this story is for real, who the man was, when it happened or any other important details but after hearing it from a stranger from Cincinnati on a boat-dock in Mackinac, I just had to forward it on. If anyone can validate its authenticity, add/subtract/or delete from the story, I would love to hear from you.   
                                                                         

The story goes... Many years ago, just after Christmas, a man's young daughter was returning to her home on the island by foot. Crossing on the ice was commonplace but on this particular day, the man's daughter became disoriented and lost her way. She was found dead on the ice. 

Her father, distraught by her loss recruited the islanders to give him their Christmas trees which he placed in the ice creating a pathway to and from Mackinac Island to provide direction so that no one else would lose their life.

The tradition continues today.

Mackinac in Winter

I would just love to go to Mackinac Island during winter. My husband? Not so much. Being Dallas born and bred his inclement weather theory goes like this... "If your car breaks down in the heat, chances are good you'll eventually get to your final destination but if your car breaks down in the cold, chances are good, you'll die."

I, on the other hand, (being born and bred in The Great White North) have been known to get all misty-eyed at the memory of crisp, clean newly fallen snow.

Mackinac Island Cottages, Michigan

I'm dedicating this post to all those Mackinac Island cottage-owners out there. 

You know who you are. 

 

I have but one question...

What in the world do you do for a living?

One of my favorite "cottages"

Baby blue paint detail

With matching baby blue ceiling (reportedly, it prevents bees from hive-building)

OK, so not all of the five-hundred year-round Mackinac Island residents live in such palatial homes but even the simpler dwellings would never be described as 'shabby'. Immaculately landscaped condos, townhouses, apartments and employee housing is all close to downtown - but then again, what isn't? The island is eight miles around.

I want to live here.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Let's start by getting the pronunciation of 'Mackinac' out of the way... it's pronounced 'Mackinaw'.

Mackinac Island is situated at the very northern part of Michigan.

The charm of Mackinac Island is accentuated by the fact that motorized vehicles have been banned on the island since 1898 leaving the bicycle, the horse and your feet as transportation options on this beautiful island nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Ferry service runs from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, Michigan on the hour.

Who knew that there would be a one hour time change as we traveled over the Michigan border from Wisconsin? Not us. We caught the last ferry within minutes of its departure.

Arriving on Mackinac Island during a brutal rainstorm wasn't all that bad. Being from Dallas, we hadn't seen rain in months so we were good with a little water but having luggage to lug, we hailed a cab... drawn by a couple of horses.

 Ahhhh, What a vision. Mackinac, how cool are you?

After arriving at our hotel, we geared-up for the rain and headed out to dinner at a little place called "Millie's on Main". Intrigued by the ad campaign throughout Wisconsin and Michigan for "Pasties" I had to experience one for myself. Sure enough, it was on the menu. Again, a pronunciation problem. Do I ask for a "pay-stee" or a "pass-tee". There was a difference and I was sure it would be huge. It's "pass-tee", said the friendly waitperson. Noted.

Pays-tee

Pass-tee

After calling it a night we were up early the next morning and set out on foot to explore the island

Walking through town, we couldn't help but notice that there was certainly a lot of horse (ahem) poop to dodge. But I guess that's part of the deal... manure vs. exhaust fumes. You pick.

The Grand Hotel

Schlepping up to the fabulous, ritzy and oh-so-proper "Grand Hotel" we approached the hotel entrance.

Signage made the dress code clear; after six pm, gentlemen were to wear a coat and tie, ladies were to be in dresses.

Before six? I think anything goes. A ten dollar admission fee was required to enter and it was well worth it. The fee helps with crowd control.

They say you have got to have dinner here but we travel light and were not suited for the evening dress requirement. Also, if you're in the right outfit, there is a live band nightly, cocktails and dancing.

The Geranium Room is the site of where I forced my sweet husband to enjoy afternoon tea with me. He reluctantly complied and it was lovely. Tea, teensy lady-like sandwiches, petit-fours and (this part cheered him up) sherry and/or champagne. He had both.

The most beautiful horses and livery service on the island. The drivers are suited formally, complete with top hats but the creepiness formal factor is enhanced when combined with shiny, dark enclosed carriages. 

View from the 4th floor bar

The garden. Try your hand at Bocce Ball, enjoy the horse and carriage topiary, the colorful geraniums and people watching.

The hotel lobby is covered in green and white stripes. A little busy but it worked.

A Lesson Learned...

With my shoulders back and my head held high, I rode The Grand Hotel's elegant elevator in my hoodie, sneakers and blue jeans looking for the 'heart' of the hotel - the restaurants, lounges, galleries and such. Surrounded by those in Dolce and Gabbana, Dior and the like, I refused to let them see me sweat.

When asked for my desired floor number, I confidently chose... "one, please" - like I knew where I was going. Strangely, it was then that I noticed 'P' level was between floors one and two. How odd that parking would be located between the main and second floors... My sweet husband piped up by saying "I think we want "P". With a side-glance and hint of smugness I said "Oh Honey, I believe that's Parking". With that, the doors opened on "P" and a smartly dressed fellow-rider turned towards me as he was exiting the elevator and said,  "It's the Parlor Level - I made the same mistake myself when I got here".

I suppose there is no reason to have a parking level on an island without cars, really.

The moral to this story is... "If you're in The Grand Hotel elevator on Mackinac Island and you don't know where you're going. Choose 'P'."