Friday, September 28, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Mackinac Island
...a magical harbour embraces a majestic fort on the hill
"ISLAND ADVENTURE!"
Come join me on an adventure to another place in time....
Imagine someone saying to you, "Are you up for an adventure?" Your mind travels through a million scenarios before you say..."Ofcourse!...Where are we going?!" The response left me mystified.."You don't need to know that, all you need to know is to bring: active clothes, casual clothes with an overlay, a bathing suit (there may be a pool), photo ID (in case we cross a border) and oh, pack light, we'll be leaving the car behind." We are campers so I ask what seems to be the obvious questions..."Will I need a tent?" ..."I hope not."..."Do I need my bike?"...."I'll get you one."
Hmmmmm....what would YOUR first guess be??!? :)
I would be leaving on Friday morning and returning on Monday afternoon and it would take approximately 8 hours to get there. Now I'm intrigued. Obviously it had to be a train trip. It was not long enough to involve a plane, nor could it include any kind of boat...cruise. It HAD to be a train. After 2 hrs of driving and all train stations long since left behind....once again I am mystified. What now?? A crossing at the border should tell me...they will ask! But a folded note quietly handed to the border official, results in a clandestine smile, leaving me no further ahead! At the 7 1/2 hr mark I start watching for signs that may give me a hint, a clue....first, a billboard showing jet ferries.....next, a lighthouse.....and finally a historic fort. Before I can even begin to put it all together we arrive at a dock and FINALLY, as promised, we leave the car behind! As I watch the dock disappear behind me I am enthralled with what I see coming toward me....what are those stunning buildings? Is that a horse drawn buggy I see...could it be?? Where in the world are we going.....
As I exit the boat the fresh smell of manure assaults my senses, in that same instance my vision tries to drink in what is going on all around me. I cannot believe my eyes...everything is so beautiful, so surreal. It is truly as if I have taken a step back in time. Horse drawn carriages with liveried drivers awaiting your arrival to take you to your hotel. People of all ages riding bikes on the main street, the sweet, sweet smell of freshly made fudge, hotels that look like saloons and everywhere there are beautiful, beautiful flowers and colour!!The busy hum of people chattering to each other and horses hooves clacking on the roadway ring through the air with a gentle excitement. I do not know where to begin assessing what I am feeling...it is stunning! I rode a horse, I drove a carriage, I walked through an amazing historic fort, I enjoyed delicious food with fine wine, I slept in a room made for a princess and I saw some of the most beautiful scenery I have EVER seen in my life.... I cannot tell you in words how much I enjoyed my visit to Mackinac Island. I hope you get the opportunity to share my joy and visit this wonderful place one day. You will not...no, CANNOT, be disappointed! :)
Imagine someone saying to you, "Are you up for an adventure?" Your mind travels through a million scenarios before you say..."Ofcourse!...Where are we going?!" The response left me mystified.."You don't need to know that, all you need to know is to bring: active clothes, casual clothes with an overlay, a bathing suit (there may be a pool), photo ID (in case we cross a border) and oh, pack light, we'll be leaving the car behind." We are campers so I ask what seems to be the obvious questions..."Will I need a tent?" ..."I hope not."..."Do I need my bike?"...."I'll get you one."
Hmmmmm....what would YOUR first guess be??!? :)
I would be leaving on Friday morning and returning on Monday afternoon and it would take approximately 8 hours to get there. Now I'm intrigued. Obviously it had to be a train trip. It was not long enough to involve a plane, nor could it include any kind of boat...cruise. It HAD to be a train. After 2 hrs of driving and all train stations long since left behind....once again I am mystified. What now?? A crossing at the border should tell me...they will ask! But a folded note quietly handed to the border official, results in a clandestine smile, leaving me no further ahead! At the 7 1/2 hr mark I start watching for signs that may give me a hint, a clue....first, a billboard showing jet ferries.....next, a lighthouse.....and finally a historic fort. Before I can even begin to put it all together we arrive at a dock and FINALLY, as promised, we leave the car behind! As I watch the dock disappear behind me I am enthralled with what I see coming toward me....what are those stunning buildings? Is that a horse drawn buggy I see...could it be?? Where in the world are we going.....
As I exit the boat the fresh smell of manure assaults my senses, in that same instance my vision tries to drink in what is going on all around me. I cannot believe my eyes...everything is so beautiful, so surreal. It is truly as if I have taken a step back in time. Horse drawn carriages with liveried drivers awaiting your arrival to take you to your hotel. People of all ages riding bikes on the main street, the sweet, sweet smell of freshly made fudge, hotels that look like saloons and everywhere there are beautiful, beautiful flowers and colour!!The busy hum of people chattering to each other and horses hooves clacking on the roadway ring through the air with a gentle excitement. I do not know where to begin assessing what I am feeling...it is stunning! I rode a horse, I drove a carriage, I walked through an amazing historic fort, I enjoyed delicious food with fine wine, I slept in a room made for a princess and I saw some of the most beautiful scenery I have EVER seen in my life.... I cannot tell you in words how much I enjoyed my visit to Mackinac Island. I hope you get the opportunity to share my joy and visit this wonderful place one day. You will not...no, CANNOT, be disappointed! :)
Tea for Two
...an xplosion of colour captivates u!
The view from the Fort
The harbour shines!
About Me
- ellnm
- Ontario, Canada
- I am a 40+ woman, with the zest for life of a 20 yr old! I want to see everything...my energy is boundless, my curiosity insatiable. I immerse myself in the interaction of people, both old and young, but especially old & young...together! They each have so much to give, so much to share. Wisdom and the innocence of youth, two powerful tools... invaluable in their own right. Although an avid learner, I prefer the intricacies of personal relationships over anything books have to offer. I am a visual person. A worshiper of the senses. A loved one's voice, a twinkling smile, a passionate song or the gentle familiar smell of a man are my greatest gifts of choice. Passion and laughter make me who I am.
