Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Stuff that's not Disney/Site related

Moderator: Moderators

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Sun 08, 2013 12:22 pm

Hi All! I will be posting my Mackinac TR here when we return! We will be offline so don't think Bdude and I abandoned ship again! :lol:

We are praying for good weather! It's showing chance of rain when we arrive (50%) and chance of rain (40%) the second day, hoping that changes! We will be celebrating my parent's 42 wedding anniversary too! My mom is feeling well enough to ride her bike, so hope everything is smooth sailing!!!

I am going to get bdude on a horse for the first time in his life (stay tuned for pictures of that)! Looking forward to relaxing and feeling like we've stepped back in time. Watched "Somewhere in Time" last night, balled, now I'm ready! :D

Also hoping for no rain so I can use my new Canon and get some awesome pics!

So stay tuned.....
Image
Image

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18542
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by Amy » Sep Sun 08, 2013 2:16 pm

I hope the weather holds for you. We desperately need rain, but it can hold off a few more days can't it?
I'm glad your Mom is feeling good and is ready to celebrate their 42nd anniversary ~ congrats to them! :D

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Sun 08, 2013 4:50 pm

Thanks Amy! It can rain by you and here in Valpo. just not on the island or only at night! :wink:
Image
Image

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18542
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by Amy » Sep Sun 08, 2013 6:56 pm

boilerbabe wrote:Thanks Amy! It can rain by you and here in Valpo. just not on the island or only at night! :wink:
With the crazy weather patterns, it certainly could! For the sake of your plants, and our crunchy lawn, I hope it does :D

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Sun 08, 2013 11:42 pm

Amy wrote:
boilerbabe wrote:Thanks Amy! It can rain by you and here in Valpo. just not on the island or only at night! :wink:
With the crazy weather patterns, it certainly could! For the sake of your plants, and our crunchy lawn, I hope it does :D
:lol: Our lawn is crunchy too! At this point, I'm just trying to do damage control and save the landscaping!!! :roll:
Image
Image

Amy
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 18542
Joined: Dec Wed 12, 2007 1:41 pm
Location: the flooded, flooded mitten

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by Amy » Sep Mon 09, 2013 8:06 am

boilerbabe wrote:
Amy wrote:
boilerbabe wrote:Thanks Amy! It can rain by you and here in Valpo. just not on the island or only at night! :wink:
With the crazy weather patterns, it certainly could! For the sake of your plants, and our crunchy lawn, I hope it does :D
:lol: Our lawn is crunchy too! At this point, I'm just trying to do damage control and save the landscaping!!! :roll:
The lawn can go dormant without a problem ~ and it is an added bonus not to have to mow :D But the plants don't fare very well do they :( This weather is horrible. In the 90s today and tomorrow and a slight chance of rain on Wednesday. Sounds like you won't be too cold on your trip, although it should be a bit nicer up north.

dstrawn9889
Snow White's Adventures Gem Miner
Snow White's Adventures Gem Miner
Posts: 839
Joined: Oct Wed 26, 2011 10:00 am
Location: Brava Centauri

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by dstrawn9889 » Sep Mon 09, 2013 12:54 pm

sounds like spring and fall in GA, amy... 90's and rain. not to mention the 94% humidity. dont have to run the sprinklers, plenty of water in the air already... and no breeze.
Image

MmeLeota
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5382
Joined: Apr Fri 17, 2009 11:30 pm
Location: The land of cheese and beer...

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by MmeLeota » Sep Mon 09, 2013 4:32 pm

Have fun Boilers!!!! That is one trip we would like to take sometime since we're "in the area". :D Believe it or not, Cbog40 was the one who showed me "Somewhere in Time"...shh...don't tell him I told you that.... ;)
I had a lengthy conversation with a friend of ours when I was back home with mom just over a week ago. He is from Minnesota and went over to Mackinac often.

Looking forward to all the pics, and fingers crossed for good weather!!!!

cy1229
Country Bear Jamboree Greeter
Country Bear Jamboree Greeter
Posts: 2833
Joined: Jan Fri 21, 2011 8:47 am
Location: Greenwood, IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by cy1229 » Sep Thu 12, 2013 9:39 am

Oh, how I miss the Mitten. So, very, very much. :(

Have a GREAT time on the Island! Watch where you step....

There was a Christmas shop one block from the water behind Main Street that had cute ornaments. Just FYI. Not sure it's still there. Make sure you get some fudge. ZOMG my mouth just watered thinking about that fudge. My older daughter hasn't been there since she was 18 mos old, and younger one hasn't been there at all. I need to change that.
Polynesian 1980
All-Star Movies 2001
Pop Century 2008
Saratoga Springs 2010
Bay Lake Tower 2012
Hyatt Place Anaheim Resort/Convention Center 2015
Marriott Anaheim Suites 2016

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Tue 17, 2013 7:57 pm

Thanks all! We had a WONDERFUL trip! It went by way too fast! :( We can never get enough of the views there, just stunning!!! I have my TR ready to go, just need to upload my pics to photobucket. I made an awesome video, complete with music for my pictures, don't know how I could post that on here?! I will have to ask Bdude when he returns from softball!

The weather was great for the most part! Overcast and chilly the day we arrived. But the next two days were partly cloudy and pleasant. It got a bit chilly on Thurs. which was hard on my mom, she couldn't make the bike ride through the middle of the island. Fri. was sunny but cool when we were leaving. I love when the sun shines on the lake, it looks like a million diamonds! It rained only at night, so we were thrilled! We made friends with a chipmunk while we were there, we named him "Kevin". I know, we're easily entertained! I think I took 100 pictures of him, lol. He literally worked for peanuts! So cute b/c he doesn't dig my flowers out, he was digging up flowers around our Inn. :lol:

I was thrilled with my new camera, I still have much to learn, but the difference with an SLR camera compared to a pocket camera blew me away!!! I drove my family nuts! :wink: But Mackinac Island is so beautiful, it's a photographers dream! The butterfly house was great! And yes, I did in fact get Bdude on a horse!!! :lol: He tried to get out of it by saying "his back hurt" but I shamed him and he ended up enjoying himself, imagine that! His horse "Dusty" was in charge, he was running Bdude into branches, I found it comical! :mrgreen:

Mmeleota, I'm glad your husband introduced to "Somewhere in Time"! That is one of my favorite movies of all time!

More to come soon.....
Image
Image

mindflipper
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 10954
Joined: Sep Sun 06, 2009 8:53 am
Location: 76 Totters Lane

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by mindflipper » Sep Wed 18, 2013 11:12 am

Glad you had a fabulous time at Mackinac Island!

Horses are brighter creatures than most people give them credit. If B-dude's horse sensed he was uncomfortable and didn't want to be there, maybe he was trying to find a way to help B-dude not be there and be more comfortable on the ground! ;-)

I've never had success with posting videos either. Maybe upload it to YOUTUBE as private, and then cut/paste the link into your trip report??

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Wed 18, 2013 1:15 pm

mindflipper wrote:Glad you had a fabulous time at Mackinac Island!

Horses are brighter creatures than most people give them credit. If B-dude's horse sensed he was uncomfortable and didn't want to be there, maybe he was trying to find a way to help B-dude not be there and be more comfortable on the ground! ;-)

I've never had success with posting videos either. Maybe upload it to YOUTUBE as private, and then cut/paste the link into your trip report??
Thanks mindflipper! And yes, horses are extremely intelligent! I think Dusty was testing bdude to see what he could get away with, by running him into branches and would stop every now and then for no reason, lol. I thought it was funny! But overall, bdude did great!

We didn't have much luck with the video, maybe I will try your idea with youtube! Thanks! Pics and report to come today!
Image
Image

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Wed 18, 2013 1:16 pm

mindflipper wrote:Glad you had a fabulous time at Mackinac Island!

Horses are brighter creatures than most people give them credit. If B-dude's horse sensed he was uncomfortable and didn't want to be there, maybe he was trying to find a way to help B-dude not be there and be more comfortable on the ground! ;-)

I've never had success with posting videos either. Maybe upload it to YOUTUBE as private, and then cut/paste the link into your trip report??
Thanks mindflipper! And yes, horses are extremely intelligent! I think Dusty was testing bdude to see what he could get away with, by running him into branches and would stop every now and then for no reason, lol. I thought it was funny! But overall, bdude did great!

We didn't have much luck with the video, maybe I will try your idea with youtube! Thanks! Pics and report to come today!
Image
Image

boilerbabe
Pack Mules Wrangler
Pack Mules Wrangler
Posts: 5143
Joined: Sep Sun 02, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Valparaiso IN

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by boilerbabe » Sep Wed 18, 2013 5:12 pm

Here goes...

9/9- We packed up the good 'ol 4Runner, loaded our bikes and we left Valpo at our targeted time of 8:30a.m. to begin our long 7 hour journey to Mackinac Island! We had to make 3 stops along the way for my mom, it was also nice to stretch our legs a bit too! Bdude drove most of the way there, I did the last 2 hours of the journey. It's always so exciting when you can see the bridge, you know you have arrived!

It was overcast and spitting when we pulled up to the Starline Ferry dock. Bummer! A bit chilly too. But, the skies were looking like it would clear! Even though there was a nip in the air, I had to sit up top, I could not resist getting some pictures heading over to the island with my new SLR Canon!
This is one of my fav. sites, St. Ann's church:
Image
My other fav. is seeing Grand Hotel getting closer and closer:
Image

When we arrived, we collected our bikes and rode down to Harbour View Inn, we love staying here, you're steps away from the lake, far enough down the main street to make it quiet and right next to St. Ann's church. We love the garden view. They serve a nice continental breakfast every morning too. We were pleased to find that the rooms had just gotten an update, fresh carpet, paint, furnishings etc...nicely done!

We settled in, got cleaned up and walked into town for a nice dinner at the Yankee Rebel Inn. It did clear up and was a gorgeous evening!

9/10- What a glorious day! Partly cloudy and a high in the mid 70's! After we had breakfast, we headed to JL Beanery, our fav little coffee house from our last visit. It sits right on the water! But, we were extremely disappointed this time around, they no longer served the Mackinac Fudge coffee. The coffee was in styrofoam cups and sitting in carafes. No real 1/2 and 1/2, boo! We would have to find somewhere else to get our coffee this stay. We made the best of it though, we sat on the pier and enjoyed the water, how could not feel relaxed here?! We went to the info. center afterwards to collect pamphlets etc...and figure out what we wanted to do for the rest of the week. We decided since the weather was so beautiful, we should not put off our bike around the island. So, that's what we did!
Image
I am a huge "Somewhere in Time" fan! We had to stop at the little monument and Bdude and I had to react the scene! "Is it you?"
Image
Image

After our 8 mile bike around the island, stopping for an ice cream break was a must! Wow, that tasted good! We sat by the water again, to enjoy our treat! My mom was a trooper, she made it all the way around the island! This was a good day for her!

We decided to have snacks on our patio outside of our rooms, facing the garden. This is when we made a friend, "Kevin" the chipmunk! (We are easily entertained) This little guy was so cute, we were feeding him peanuts and then he was posing for us! Too cute!
Image

We relaxed afterwards, went up to the balcony facing the lake at our Inn and just took at all in. Later, when we were all hungry again, we walked into town to grab dinner, this time at Horn's Bar/Grill. Then did some window shopping!

9/11- This was my mom and dad's 42nd wedding anniversary! My mom was feeling extremely tired from the long trip and alot of activity the day before, so we brought breakfast to her in their room. Then Bdude and my dad went into town for our coffee, we had discovered Sander's (another chocolate shop on the island) had the chocolate coffee! Now, I am not a flavored coffee fan, but this stuff is out of this world, just a light hint of chocolate! mmmmmmm!
After we were all ready to head out, we stopped at St. Ann's church to say a prayer. We have much to be thankful for, that my mom is doing well at this time with her fight with cancer and that we were all healthy enough to make the trip.
My mom no longer likes pictures taken of herself, so I got a candid shot, of her and my dad hand in hand outside of church, this is her fav. view. Right next to our Inn and church.
Image

It was another perfect day, so we decided to visit Fort Mackinac! The views from the Fort are incredible! There is so much history on this island and the Fort of course is full of histoy as well. Bdude really enjoyed this, he's a history buff! It's so incredible to see how soldiers and their families lived during that time. Makes me have a greater appreciation for what we have today!
View of bridge and Grand Hotel from the fort:
Image
Was really ejoying playing with my new camera, this little guy was not afraid, I was able to get pretty close to him and zoom in!
Image
After we walked about the Fort, we had to stop at the Tea Room, it's run by Grand Hotel, we found out a secret last visit in 2010, there is a host there that makes the best chocolate milkshakes in the world! It's not on the menu. He remembered us too! He brought out a special treat and sang to my parents for the anniversary, it really made it special! After the sugar overlaod...we needed to walk! We walked to the Wings of Mackinac butterfly house. My parents took a sit outside and bdude and I went in! It was so beautiful! The butterflies really liked bdude's red shirt b/c they kept landing on him! LOL. There were butterflies everywhere, so many species! Just gorgeous! I think I took 100 pictures!
Image
Image
Image
(I was sizing my pics down a bit for some reason Photobucket is not allowing me to do that now, it's giving me some error message, sorry this pics are so big!)

After the butterfly house we parted way with my parents, my mom was pooped! Bdude and I went on to Grand Hotel! I love this place, the history and the feel of it! We paid the admission, walked around the lobby area and headed up to the Cupola Bar, the views up here are out of this world! It was sunny, so the lake looked like it had a million diamonds sparkling on it! We had a drink and toasted! After the Cupola, we headed to the porch, the longest in the world! This is also where alot of the filming for "Somewhere in Time" was done. We sat in the rocking chairs for a while. Then headed back. We needed to get cleaned up for dinner. We went into town and ate at Yankee Rebel Inn again, bdude and my dad could not resist the special that night, lasagna! LOL.
View from Cupola Bar atop Grand Hotel:
Image
Boiler Couple on Grand Hotel's famous porch:
Image
Image

We caught a partial sunset this evening, the clouds blocked it, but was still beautiful:
Image
Image

9/12- Cooler weather and breezy, but still beautiful! God was with us on this trip b/c it only rained at night! This was the day that I got Bdude to ride a horse for the first time in his life! I give my love an A+ for going outside of his comfort zone and handling himself really well! He was given Dusty and I rode Fritz. I am an experienced rider, I was a jumper, I've always rode English so I did not enjoy the Western saddle. But, riding past Grand Hotel and through the forest on horseback, simply amazing! I was trying to explain to bdude to not let the reins go slack, horses will test you and see if you are going to let them be the boss! Dusty was the boss of bdude, he was running him into branches and would stop periodically, LOL. Our guide sent us on our way and went to guide the other group. I obviously took a wrong turn b/c Fritz, stopped, took a deep sigh (as if in disgust with me) turned himself around and went down the correct path! They are so intelligent! The guide said they would get us back and he wasn't kidding! I could've rode all afternoon!
Image
Image
Image
Image
Fritz and Dusty are best friends and stall mates! How sweet is that?! Fritz was totally posing in the last pic!

We just wanted a light lunch, so we stopped at Doud's supermarket and got sandwiches and drinks. This is a great deal, you get a delicious sub and a drink for $6, eating can get pricey on the island! After our lunch we wanted to try and get a ride through the middle of the island in. We mom didn't make it very far, it was chilly this day and windy. Along with her cancer she suffers with Scleroderma (rare auto immune disease) and one of the nasty things that goes along with that is Reynaud's. Her fingers turn purple then white and it's painful. Obviously if not corrected quickly she could suffer nerve damage. She uses "hot hands" and has every glove imagineable, but sometimes it's still not enough. We were all disappointed, my parent's turned back and bdude and I continued on. The middle of the island is unique, there are different trails you can take, riding through dense woods is so beautiful! You can see "Arch Rock" and there is a the cemetary, rather eerie but neat! And other landmarks along the way. We ended up back by the lake and made our way back around into town, we rode more aggresively, so I felt like we got a good workout! We stopped a long the way to take pictures, of course! There is a bluff looking out over the town, I almost feel like it's our secret spot, it's not on the map, it's where the "Somewhere in Time" gazebo was moved to and there is never anyone there, it's off the beaten path a bit.
Image
Arch Rock:
Image
Lookout from Arch Rock:
Image

After our bike ride, we met up with my parents at the Inn and headed back into town together for our last dinner on the island, *sigh*. We ate at Mary's Bistro, right on the water, what a view!

The next few pics. are from sunrise on the 13th, my dad and I got up early and biked to my fav. lookout point! We biked up the huge hill w/o stopping, that will get you going in the a.m. along with the brisk 47 degree weather!!!! Well worth it though!
Image
Image
Image

We left the island on the 1:30 ferry and started our long trek back home to Indiana! It was a wonderful trip, wish we had more time. Every time we go, we find more we like to do! If I was not injured we would've ran around the island too. In 2010 we ran the Mackianc 8 and loved it! The scenery is amazing! I took hundreds of pics, literally, but tried to scale it down for my report. I will still try to figure out a way to post a link for my video!

Now we're home and settling back into the grind. It was a nice break, that's for sure!

Thanks for reading! :D
Image
Image

mindflipper
Submarine Voyage Captain
Submarine Voyage Captain
Posts: 10954
Joined: Sep Sun 06, 2009 8:53 am
Location: 76 Totters Lane

Re: Mackinac Island Trip Report 9/9-9/13

Post by mindflipper » Sep Wed 18, 2013 10:23 pm

Holy Kodachrome, B-babe, that was a great trip report! :shock: The photos are excellent! You're not quite the photog novice you lead us to believe you are! :D

Post Reply