Looking
for an escape from reality and a place that I had not stayed before, a 4 day/3
night adventure was planned. I traveled
with my best friend that I have known for 63 years to a place that although we
both had visited before (independently), neither of us had stayed there. MACKINAC ISLAND, let the fun begin. We signed up for the trip in August, 2021.
The trip was sponsored by a local group.
We both decided that not having to drive and being well pampered was
just what we needed. The all-inclusive
trip ($940) included:
bus
transportation to the ferry in Mackinaw City
ferry
ride to Mackinac Island
carriage
and luggage transport to the Grand Hotel
3
nights lodging at the Grand Hotel
all
gourmet meals (3 breakfast, 3 lunch and 3 dinners)
group
welcome including a box of famous Mackinac Island fudge
afternoon
tea time including cookies
carriage
tour of the island
free
unlimited golf (if desired but you pay for cart)
cocktail
reception with hors d’oeuvres our last night
demitasse
every evening with music
dancing
and listening to the Grand Hotel Orchestra every evening
movies
and talks throughout the day and evening
tours
and classes (some with a minimal charge)
carriage
transportation back to the dock
ferry
ride back to the mainland
bus
transportation home
The
adventure was Monday, October 25 – Thursday, October 28, 2021. It was put together in cooperation with
mParks (Michigan Recreation and Park Association). There were a total of eleven other groups
participating in this tour. That
explained why the 396 guest rooms were basically full. The timing coincided with being shortly
before the Grand Hotel would be closed for the season (October 31st).
Although it is a quieter time of the year to visit, with many of the downtown shops already closed, and more cooler temperatures, the colors were still enjoyable and the weather cooperated which was good for a lot of walking. We had thought we might be relaxing and enjoy rocking on the longest porch of any hotel in the world (660 feet), but we were on the go non-stop taking in the beautiful sights, colors, dining, entertainment and of course, talking to and petting the horses.
Favorite Trip Photo 1 - Round Island Lighthouse
Favorite Trip Photo 2 - Sunrise
Mackinac Bridge from Mackinaw City ferry
Governor's House on the bluff
Are you back there? We're headed to the hotel.
Island is quiet this time of year
Little Stone Church
Checking in at the Grand Hotel
Those passengers carry too much luggage
Pretty cold day for porch rocking
But there is a beautiful view of the Mackinac Bridge
Beautiful homes nearby
Love the horses
Geraniums are a theme at the Grand Hotel
Shepler's ferry
Nearby Memorial Garden - many herbs grown here for the hotel
Beautiful tribute
Lots of flowers still
Fountain view from the porch
Fall colors were striking
No cars, just carriages
Flower beds were great on arrival but ripped out just before leaving - sad
So many colors
After a 4.5 hour wait, finally got to see Room 319 for 3 nights
Each room is unique in decor and this one was especially large
Even a small refrigerator
Emphasis is enjoying the sights on the Island, not the tv
Lots of art and artifacts on the hallway walls. This one was on our floor. It is a collection of the annual White House ornaments.
The carpeting throughout the hotel was fascinating to me
Grand Hotel has a geranium theme
More attractive carpets
My favorite - a carpet on the stairwell
So many different styles
Rug corners
The new Esther Williams $10M pool
K-12 Island school in the harbor
The sun is setting on Mackinac Bridge
The dining room awaits guests
Hotel china and lots of it
The horses were ready for another load
Was a busy weekend. Only 1 other weekend until the hotel closes.
Wandering around while waiting for room keys and enjoying the colors.
Chess anyone?
Definitely don't want this style in my house
Flower arrangements in the hotel were interesting
Directional signs are a big help
New condos that were built and already sold
St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery
Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery
Home of the Ancestors
A view down to the Fort
More important signs
Fall colors are fading
These horses are really big
Gail is enjoying the horses too
When you get up close and personal, you realize how big these horses are.
Love the wave
Our carriage driver waiting while everyone gets to enjoy Arch Rock and the overview.
The water is beautiful but cold
Arch Rock
View of the coastline from Arch Rock
The water is so clear
Fort Mackinac was unfortunately closed for the season
One of the Fort corners
Governor's Summer Residence
Turkey Hill with steep slopes
On the lower level of the hotel was a exhibition room all about the making of Somewhere in Time as well as Esther Williams
Movie poster
More photos from the filming
Love this painting!
After lunch, headed out for a walk about the island
These flowers are really interesting
The weather was wonderful for photography
Sunlight enhanced the colors
More ornamental kale or sometimes called cabbages
The "Is it You" marker by the water where Elise asks Richard in the movie Somewhere in Time
It is a well known site but also well hidden
But by a beautiful view of the water
And the expensive houses on West Bluff
And to get to the memorial, down a steep and sliding rock path
The Little Stone Church built in 1904
Beautiful architecture for the island
History of the Little Stone Church
Just up the street from the Grand Hotel
The shape of Mackinac Island was felt to resemble a turtle by local Native Americans so there are many turtles around at locations
Halloween is big here
Trinity Episcopal Church
Nice houses and B&Bs across from the harbor
The harbor and normally more boats but it is end of the season
Downtown would never be this quiet in the summer
Marquette Park just below Fort Mackinac
Grand Hotel Carriage Tours and museum
Vanna Gail showing off a beautiful carriage
Lots of history
Everything in the museum was kept spotless
Studebaker history
Lots of historic plates
And even sleighs
So many different types
Top of the museum
Finally after a lot of walking, we found the Somewhere in Time Gazebo
Under the Gazebo
After the filming, it was located on the grounds of the Governor's Summer Residence but after restoration, was moved to a public area where it could be enjoyed by all.
Laurena is glad for a short sit!
Just up from the Gazebo was Anne's Tablet, a memorial to a local author
The view from the memorial was striking
Lighthouses keep the island passage safe
Shortly after returning to the hotel, a spectacular sunset over Mackinac Bridge
Setting pretty fast
Lots of oooos and ahhhhhhs
Gail and Laurena happy to sit after all the walking and enjoy dinner
Interesting appetizers. I had the rabbit. Often it was difficult to figure out what menu items were. Phone search was handy.
Typical dinner menu
This was the chicken with sausage stuffing
The start of our Grand Hotel Garden Tour
Enjoyed the garden tour where they told us about planting all the geraniums
Interesting path lights
To go down to the gardens are a lot of steps from the hotel
But it is a different view of the hotel
Fall flower color
Beautiful cottages near the hotel
Fountain from ground level
A topiary horse that will be taken back to the mainland for winter storage but decorated for Halloween
Interesting walkway
Gail and Laurena at last night reception
A beautiful last morning sunrise
Our final horse carriage ride to the ferry docks
The horse led us past a nice view of the Mackinac Bridge
A view from the ferry while waiting to depart to St. Ignace
Harbor lighthouse
Fort Mackinac high on the bluff
More of the B&Bs from the water
Last view of the Grand Hotel from the water
Another boat headed in our direction
On our return home, we departed from St. Ignace so we could drive over Mackinac Bridge
