A Special Place

 This one is picture heavy but the place was beautiful so you might want to endure.

This is us.  We were at the fort, which affords the most beautiful views of the island because it's the highest place on the island

This restaurant is called The Woods and it certainly was.  A hidden gem off the beaten path up in the woods it was gorgeous and delicious and we had so much fun. This was our anniversary dinner. 

PH and I sat out the ride around the island.  Turns out it was a good choice.  Son-in-law is a bike rider and he led them half way around on this nice road but then cut up through the middle of the island - up hill, no gears. Ugh.  I opted for the bookstore and PH took a walk. 

This was our Inn.  Madame LaFranboise is special to Lowell because she built a fur trade post here in Lowell and took over the fur trading business her husband started before he was killed.  She was Native American, he, French.  She is credited with being the first business woman in Michigan.  The house was built after she retired from the fur trade and lived permanently on the island.  

She built a school and a church and was respected for all her days.

Evenings on the porch of this beautiful place.  Thank goodness we are all good porch sitters. 

These roses attracted us all, like bees, we all stopped (by all I mean everyone who walked past them) for a sniff and a smile before walking on.

After the old fashioned foot races and relays for the kids and the booming of the cannon the Declaration of Independence was read.  After that a volley was fired for every state in the union.  When it was Michigan's turn all nine muskets were fired together. 

At the fort, which is painted white on all outside surfaces, the geraniums bloom.  Geraniums all over the place.  Do you see that peek of yellow umbrella on the left?

That's part of this porch that insists you stop, have a drink or a snack or lunch and just relax and soak in that view. What's the rush?  

The fort is on the highest part of the island, with good reason.  This lawn was once the food garden for the soldiers at the fort and now it's an island park and where we watched the fireworks.  Since the day trippers were all gone (the ferries don't operate past 10 p.m.) we had this park pretty much to ourselves. Not many more there for the fireworks than you can see now. The island sets them off in two places so it's extra beautiful.

Turn and this is the view to the right.  The town - Main street right along the water, where the fudge shops, t-shirt shops, bike rentals, many restaurants and PEOPLE are.  Go one block up, to the street that runs perpendicular to that oblong structure (which is a reconstruction of the first church on the island.) You can just see a horse drawn wagon turning onto the street, and it thins out considerably and is the part most people miss. This is such a beautiful place if you just get off that main street.

OK, you get the idea, blue is your favorite color when you leave here.  Sky, water, this place is a gem.  If you visit Michigan and wonder what to see and do, people will usually say number one on the list is Mackinac Island.  And if you are lucky enough to stay ON the island overnight, it's extra special. And that's what this trip was, extra special.