Mackinac IslandJul 21, 2010
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Ferry to Island
Mackinac Bridge behind Starr Ferry, Bridge is 5 miles and connects Upper...
Chippawa Hotel and the many people on the porch
| Today we went to Mackinac Island. This is where we spent our honeymoon 38 years ago. We rode the Arnold Ferry over to the island. We stayed at the Chippewa Hotel back then so I took a picture of the sign... not staying this time. The island is known for it's fudge, there is a fudge shop on every corner, I think, either Murdoch's (the oldest) or Ryba's. There are no vehicles allowed on the island except emergency vehicles. All transportation is by bike or horse or feet. We walked the Main Street and stopped at the visitor center to pick up the daily activity sheet. We were in luck, the Governor's Residence was open for viewing on Wednesdays between 9 and 11:30am. It was about 10:30 am so we walked up the VERY steep hill. I only had to stop twice. We walked through the residance - 3 rooms of the residance - and saw the beautiful old rooms and learned some of the history of the residance. The original cost was $15000. It is now millions. The residance has 11 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms. We walked through a living room, dining room and enclosed porch before reaching the open porch that overlooks the straights. Above the fireplace in the dining room was a picture of G. Mennen (Soapy) Williams with John F Kennedy. JFK had stood in the room along with many other dignitaries. When we were on the island in 1972, Governor Milliken was there and we had the opportunity to meet him. Governor Granholm was not on the island today, but when she is in residance the said she and her family are out riding their bikes and just blend in with the "fudgies" as the tourists are known. After lunch at the Mustang lounge, I took the carriage ride and Jay rented a bike. He rode around the island and stopped at the Butterfly House, then waited for me at the Pink Pony, the bar in the Chippewa Hotel. I enjoyed the carriage ride up to Surray Hill where the Wings of Mackinac a butterfly house. We then rode through the area that has Arch Rock and the cemeteries. We went by the Grand Hotel, the largest summer resort and the longest porch 660'. It cost $10 just to enter the hotel if you are not a guest. Two films were made here, "Somewhere in Time" 1979 and "This time for Keeps" Before heading back to downtown. We did not tour the old residences or fort as we have done this in the past. Jay and I caught up with each other about 3:00pm, caught the 3:30pm boat back to the mainland. Headed back to camp for a short nap before going to Odawa Casino for anniversary dinner and 10x points. Jay won and I left my $20 in the machines. We bought tickets for Saturday to see Sawyer Brown, so we will be heading back then. |
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