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From the UP to the Island

I made it!  

Such an interesting place.  All the Victorian homes are in great shape, the flowers are amazing, the horses and bikes are quaint  and Lake Huron (I have just one Great Lake to go, Lake Erie).

I left my Airbnb without meeting my host.  Actually when I left there were 5 cars there...and I never heard or saw anyone.  Just weird.
 
Great drive!  I stopped at the Northern Lights restaurant in St. Ignace  for a quick breakfast (pie!).  I can tell I should have planned some time to explore Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  I was too focused on the island.  Don't make that mistake if you're ever up here.



 
This made me laugh 

 
 The ferry ride took only about 15 minutes from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island
 View of Mackinaw bridge from the Ferry
 First sighting of The Grand Hotel from the Ferry

 View of my hotel from the Ferry docks.  My room is the second dormer to the left of the round tower. 

I checked in to my little "attic" room with an amazing view.  View of the harbor out one window and a view the Fort out the other. 

After walking around the harbor part of the island and seeing all the touristy areas I had dinner at the Seabiscuit Restaurant.  

 
The bridge from the Island

The fort and Mackinac Park during the day.
And at night.

 I ended up sitting in front of my hotel reading, people watching and  enjoying this view.  
 

Ore Barge

Then they came out and started a fire!  Heaven!

I walked down a couple blocks to listen to some music...so weird to be walking after dark and feel 100% safe.  Didn't even need my stabby thing :)

Today is touring the island via horse drawn carriage, tour The Grand Hotel and then I'm going to rent a bike and try to bike around the island.  I haven't been on a bike in years, so we'll see how that goes.

Well I just heard reveille (link) from the Fort so it must be time for me to get out and see what today brings.

Most of you will want to stop reading here because what follows is pictures of flowers for Mary H.   These are from the harbor area - I'll get some more today.



 Not sure why they had a painting of a Victorian women at the tennis court.



 Porch of my hotel




 Isn't this a great idea...


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