Mackinac Island

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 31^st).

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.