We chose Bay City because it was a natural stopping point between Toronto and Mackinac Island. At the time we didn't know it was a former home of wood barons and lumber mills, or, later, the birthplace of Madonna (who has apparently made some disparaging comments about it over the years,though she continues to patronize the local candy store whenever she is in town). Ours was a short stay, which was fine in terms of what there is to do in Bay City but sad because we were in love with our basement suite ("the keep") at the Webster Inn (where we were served for breakfast this morning egg yolks fried in panko bread crumbs!! Strangely delicious)
Our next stop, after everyone took advantage of the steam room, whirlpool tub, etc. (in addition to having a rousing game of Shanghai on our private bar the night before) was Mackinac Island. We decided to take the five mile bridge over to St. Ignace just so we could experience the marvel that connects the "UP" (aka the upper peninsula) with the rest of Michigan. We will have to plan another trip just to explore that part of this magnificent state, but, for now, it was time to hand over our car keys, pay a few bucks extra for the "secure" parking lot and hop on the ferry to the island.
We arrived here around 3:15 yesterday afternoon, and I am writing this blog at 8:00 am. In just those short hours, I already feel so relaxed. After leaving behind the exciting bustle of Toronto, our journey has consisted of pretty drives, the opportunity to interact with kind people (the proprietors of the Webster Inn were particularly lovely) and charming towns. Despite having read all measure of laudatory accounts of this place, nothing prepared me for the sensation of walking all around an
island bustling with pedestrians, bikes and horses, but not a single car anywhere. Today we will explore the 80% of the island that is protected park land, but we are already "obsessed" ( as Maddie put it) with the 20% we got to know in our walks last night.
Since we only brought a single suitcase on the ferry, my computer charger is in the car in the secured (we hope;) ) lot, and I am attempting to publish today's entry via iPad. I mention this because it is not easily letting me upload the photos that, while not doing justice to the place, at least come closer than my words do. In short, I'm thinking it should be mandatory R&R to spend a week a year here, contemplating the sunset, admiring the Victorian architecture, and determining once and for all which fudge truly is the best in Mackinac Island (as many claim to be :) ). I will once again try to add a few photos, but will likely add more from Traverse City, where we will arrive this afternoon for our next Michigan stop. Turns out we stumbled into a film festival we did not know was happening until our chatty B & B owners told us all about it. Not sure if we will be able to score any movie tickets, but we definitely intend to check out the scene. Now off to explore the rest of the island! *Well, that didn't work :) I am adding these photos at midnight from Traverse City. I'll post a day two of Mackinac Island post tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, what a great place Traverse City is! Apparently Michael Moore has an amazing house just outside of town, but we didn't run into him in town tonight. Perhaps tomorrow?
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| Just a typical back yard in Mackinac... |
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| Kayakers out for a sunset cruise |
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| fudge!! |
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