Thursday - Saturday, June 7-9

View from the porch - Grand Hotel

Arrival at the Grand Hotel

World's longest porch - Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island

Bike/Horse Path Mackinac Island

After clearing customs in Drummond, Michigan, we put the White Label into full throttle and made the 40-mile crossing of Lake Huron to Mackinac Island.  This island where no cars are allowed and the favored mode of transportation is horse drawn carriages and bicycles, is a tribute to a bygone era. 
The architecture, beautiful landscaping, 8-mile circular shoreline bike/horse path, bustling village (lots of fudge shops), historic hillside Fort Mackinac (that regularly fires off cannons) and the "jewel" of the island The Grand Hotel, all add to the relaxed ambiance of this special place.
For 125 years the Grand Hotel (built in under 100 days) has beckoned travelers as "America's Summer Place".  It is an exquisite property featuring the world's longest porch.  Sipping "Sunny Delights"from the comfortable rockers we had a sweeping view of Lake Huron, Lake Michigan & The Straits of Mackinac (this connects the two lakes).
We enjoyed an afternoon swim in the retro Ester Williams pool with a capacity for 575 and dined in the hotel dining room - dress code:  jacket & tie for the gentlemen & dresses preferred for the ladies ....... a reminder of a more civilized way of life than we've been used to recently. 

The Village - Mackinac Island

You've just got to love a place that has a Trophy Room dedicated to the House Dog ........ not that Sadie is any ordinary pet.  She won Best of Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in addition to 112 other shows around the United States.  The room features her ribbons, trophies & many photos.