Mackinac Island Visit

This morning the Admiral had me up and moving pretty early.  She was on a mission.  It did not quite reach the level of a “Securite-Securite-Securite”, but it was getting close.

One thing the North Channel and Georgian Bay could not provide was someone to take care of Mrs. Howell’s (or was it Ginger’s) finger nails.  There was not even a Walmart for the poor woman to resort to, so things were getting pretty bleak.  Evidently, this is highly technical stuff that I am not qualified to really get into, so I won’t even try.  She finally found someone qualified at a hotel spa out on Mackinac Island, which we were planning on visiting anyway, so this morning off we go, on the 8:30 (yes, AM) ferry to the island.

Me at the ferry...

The Mackinaw Bridge from the ferry.  Almost five miles long and built in 1957 it finally retired the car ferries that operated here prior.

Arriving at the island, we hoofed it about a half mile to the hotel spa, where she proceeded to disappear for OVER TWO HOURS.  I took myself out to a breakfast of eggs benedict (didn’t bother to tell the Admiral about that), which filled about the first half hour.  From that point on, I wandered the hotel gift shop, bike rental area, lobby (fell asleep once) and generally did some great people watching.  About the time the hotel staff was going to have me removed as a transient, Ginger finally came out.  The staff looked relieved when she claimed me.

As we were strolling back to the main town area, Doug and Judy called.  They had just arrived and wanted to know if we would meet them and have lunch.  I stalled lunch by suggesting we take a horse drawn carriage tour around the island.  I was just trying to kill an hour or so before having to eat again, but it turned out to be a very interesting ride.

Our driver, Justin, had just graduated with a degree in criminal justice and was returning in the fall for his masters;  he intended to become a US Marshall.  He was a great guy, and it turns out, sixth generation Yooper (a Michiganer from the upper peninsula portion of the state).  His family had deep roots on Mackinac Island, and he knew their story well.  He did solve one riddle for me.  I had been wondering why the city on the mainland was spelled “Mackinaw” and the island “Mackinac”, although both were pronounced with the “w” sound at the end.  Turns out Mackinac is the French spelling…nuff said.  Justin explained the history of the Indian/French/British/American back and forth that eventually resulted in the area becoming a permanent part of the US.

The island was, and is, the summer home to some very wealthy folks.  These homes are a small sample of some of the old mansions that were built here many years ago, and which are still owned by some of the same families.

 

I don't know...Carla, Mom says this one's for you...

...and apparently this one's for her!

This is the Catholic Church, which was drug across the frozen lake and placed here...according to Justin, they never quite got it level, and he knew from personal experience that you could set a marble down and it would roll to your buddy on the other side.  I'm Catholic, was once an alter boy, so immediately knew this was a true story!

Mackinac harbor from the island above

Our driver and Yooper extroardinaire, Justin.

"Dexter and Annie".  I am not sure which is which, as I mostly knew them from the opposite end!

After the tour, the four of us had lunch (I ate very lightly, ordering a salad, earning a gold star from the Admiral) and then we headed back to catch the ferry and return to Once Around in Mackinaw City.  We did a little business with the US Post Office (always fun) and strolled through the town picking up a few items.  Mackinaw is supposedly famous for their fudge, so we felt obliged to buy TWO POUNDS of it!!!  If my doctor is reading this, don’t worry, I’m not going to eat (much) of it!

Tonight we are dining alone (probably tofu and wheat germ after the Admiral reads this post) and kicking back.  If the weather is OK tomorrow we are off to Beaver Island, about 40 miles out into Lake Michigan.  If not…we’re eating fudge, uh, I mean fish… and hanging out here.