Upon our landing on Mackinac Island, after our 5 minute flight from St Ignace on a 4 seater prop plane ((FUN FUN FUN!)) we were met by horse drawn taxi ---
Did I mention it is COLD here? Like icy cold? Like piles of snow still on the ground cold?
We made the best of it and I kept telling myself this was no different than Germany in December. Just wishing I had a mug of hot cocoa or gluwein to wrap my cold hands around.
This is exciting stuff, being here on Mackinac for the first time ---and our taxi driver gave us quite a bit of history of the island and of the lovely historic homes we passed on our journey through the woods from the airport to the hotel.
All the while I am humming “Surrey with the Fringe on the Top” from Oklahoma! Clip clop! Clip clop!
The woods smelled so refreshing!
The homes were amazing – looking forward to getting more photos today as soon as the fog burns off!
The yellow house is still tarped up after a long winter, protecting windows from the icy blasts coming off the lake.
Love love love!
Much reconstruction going on this beauty!
Can you imagine this beautiful place around 1900?
I love to imagine the fashions and styles of the day, the music, the hair styles, the mannerisms ---how GRAND this place must have been then!
Pistachio!
We are here!
Quaint historic rooms reminiscent of a by-gone era,
Light from the window beckons – come take a peek!
Yes! a room with a view!
Fruit basket and yes, a 2 lb box of FUDGE! I am definitely feeling made welcome here!
At this point I am really glad I packed my hat, scarf, down jacket and gloves – I’ll need them!
Today is a day for resting up and exploring. My workshops start tomorrow, and I’m excited to see the quilters who will be arriving by afternoon.
Much love from Mackinac Island!
OMG!! I wish I was there! I love the homes!! Have a wonderful time and stay warm!
ReplyDeleteYou always find the best adventures :)
ReplyDeleteWOW!! What a place! Thanks for bringing us along with your photos.
ReplyDeleteWe had a long, cold winter here in Michigan, and it still shows! I hope you have a great time on the island! We are hoping to make a day trip there when the weather warms up a bit. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your pictures and thoughts; it's almost like we are there with you. Enjoy your stay and keep warm.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely opportunity -- to stay at the Grand -- enjoy your visit and hope the sun shines for you at least part of the time!
ReplyDeleteI am SO IN LOVE with those homes!!! I think I will make plans to visit! Found Somewhere In Time, this week on dvd, so will watch it to the Grand Hotel, while you get to be there!! Enjoy your adventures and wanderings. THANK YOU for sharing with us!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you've found Heaven on Earth! So beautiful. Wishing you a warm spell too. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if you could plan a trip in your "spare time" during the summer months. The island is so beautiful and there is so much to see and do when the weather is warm...and you can take the ferry across instead of a plane. Wish I was there with you now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! I'd love to visit. Somewhere in Time is in my Netflix or Amazon que. I'll have to find some time while I sew to watch it. Hope you have a glorious time and it warms up a titch.
ReplyDeleteHOw beautiful! The homes are so perfect - Victorian treasures.
ReplyDeleteAND THE GRAND... I would love to at least visit it, and stay if I could. Your room is gorgeous Bonnie... SWEET DREAMS
Now you MUST make a patter named for the Island! Please, ok? :)
Smiles, JulieinTN
I do love coming along on your travels! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful time! What an opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAs a child, I was lucky enough to spend several summers on the island. The fudge, the horses and the bike rides are my favorite memories. Get to Arch rock if you can. Enjoy beautiful Michigan!
ReplyDeleteSitting here enjoying my morning adventure with you. How I love 'coming along' via cyberspace as I know I will not be there in person. Thank you a million times over for taking the time to share your life and travels with us. Your posts are truly a bright spot in my days!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Michigan Bonnie! We will have to send pictures to you of the Island during the summer. It surely is a magical place. Please consider naming a pattern after it! Say hello to Delphine and Cathy (Delphine's Quilt Shop) where I worked and taught. I met you in Rochester at a workshop with the Oakland County Quilt Guild in 2009 (I think). My German friend Barb was with me and you've met up with her a few times - she'll see you again at the workshop in a few weeks. Have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you get to stay at the Grand! It is so lovely. The Sunday buffet is awesome, so I would imagine all of the food will be great!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a wonderful time. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be cool to have your sewing room in one of those turrets?
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful place. I envy you so much, even if it is cold. Those houses really stimulate my imagination. I could almost picture myself back in the day! Enjoy it while you can and thank you for the lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteLinda
And in the summer all of those homes are surrounded with flowers. On a more normal year there would at least be spring flowers by now.
ReplyDeleteI had so hoped to be there ... was going to treat myself for my 65th birthday ... but it was not to be ... perhaps next year if you return ;-) LOVE living here in Northern Michigan ... though last winter was a bit colder than most we have had. You are in a beautiful place ... enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Michigan. I was pretty sure that when you were excitedly talking about this trip to the island that you were going to be met with frozen straights water, piles of snow, etc. it's a whole different world in the summer time. Enjoy your visit. This Michigander is also hoping there is a Mystery Quilt inspired by the beauty of Mackinac Island
ReplyDeletelooks beautiful and a place I need to go to one day to enjoy! have fun looking forward to more photos.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, but a shame about the weather. The porch won't be getting much use, I guess. Anyway, you, being Bonnie, will make the most of it. I am jealous.
ReplyDeleteLovely place. It just cracks me up that those homes are referred to as "Cottages" - yeah - right! But I do love the pace of no autos (at least not where you get to see them) Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMarne
I want to be there!!! Wish I would of known. What quilt are you making?
ReplyDeleteYou are sure to have a grand time on the iland.. wish I could be there. Enjoy Michigan, the weather gets better.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteWow, you even got a small plane ride to get there.
I just received your new book and seam guide in the mail today. The book has such a nice layout and the instructions are excellent. I'm thinking Midnight Flight and Ceddar Bow Ties are on my list to do.
I'm wishing for some sun for you. The island is a magical place.
About ten years ago I chaperoned a group of Girl Scouts there for a few days, fun. A few years later our family took a trip there. That trip was more fun.
Wow, those homes are fantastic! Too bad you couldn't be there in summer. I'll bet it is really beautiful then.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun weekend!
Vickie in Cleveland
Your pictures are awesome, Bonnie!! Beautiful!!Have s super time there!
ReplyDeleteGlad you landed but did I say you need cold weather duds???
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful there..we visited but didn't stay at the Grand. And can you IMAGINE having one of those homes as a 'summer home'? WHOA! Have a great time (tho I'd prefer it in the summer!!)
ReplyDeleteLove the houses and the image of bygone days they bring forth, would like to try that era with the medial know how of this one. Always enjoy seeing your quilty trails. Thanks, Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteOh my it seems everything is grand. It must be hard to "rough it" there. Enjoy the cooler weather and all the grandeur!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like that a place to add to my bucket list...though when it is warmer!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful. I have never heard of the Island, but will look it up now. Looks like a great experience.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I can smell the fudge in the candy shoppe now. But the red geraniums are missing from the veranda. Sorry you are too early to view the gardens from the veranda. In summer they are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness Bonnie - how beautiful are the homes - I'd love to see inside of them!! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteSo that's why they call it "Grand". What a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteAny of those beautiful homes would make a fabulous retreat for quilters!! So glad you packed the warm stuff - have a BLAST!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBonnie I love being taken on your travels virtually. Living outside the USA it is always a pleasure to learn more about your country. I particularly love your photos of the places you are visiting and the little snippits of history. I always end up googling the place afterwards to find out more. Enjoy your stay on the Island and the Grand Hotel. Thank you, Rita.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I wish I were you!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics. This place is on my list to visit, but only after it warms up.
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness... how gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMust put this place on my bucket list!
The houses are so pretty! And you look like you're "somewhere in time". Have a great workshop!
ReplyDelete