Macinac Island
We took the Ferry to the Island. This was a regular Ferry and not the fast catamaran one we would take on the way back. We gave them our luggage and it did magically appear outside our room at the Grand Hotel. For $3.50 each we took a horse drawn “taxi” to the Grand Hotel. We were early and so walked around the grounds, passing those playing croquet and bocci. Stopped at the huge swimming pool. Walked through a labyrinth which was just a circular maze laid out in stone. You were meant to meditate as you wound around to the center. You were then to unwind your way out. It took us long enough to get in that once at the center, we just walked out, not following the maze.
Catamaran Ferry as viewed from our "regular" ferry with Macinac Bridge (connects upper and lower peninsula)in the background.
Taxi to Grand Hotel.
Front view of Grand Hotel: Jane looking down into the garden.
Grand Hotel garden path.
Garden bench on the path.
At 3, we got our keys. At the desk they said we would love our room and we did. It was on the third floor with a view of the Lake and the front lawn and garden. They had upgraded us at nocharge to a suite. As we walked into the spacious foyer, an upright piano was at the end. We had one large brightly furnished room. The king-size bed had a canopy at the head of it, but not over it. We did have one miniature TV, but the reception was not good.
Grand Hotel: our suite was on the third floor where the windows are on the curved part.
Entrance to our suite.
Piano at the end of the foyer.
Jane looking out curved windows.
Jane, reclining - note piano through the door on the right.
View from our window.
We took a horse drawn tour of the island that took us through a park. Two horses drew our carriage up to the beginning of the park where we switched to, as they said, the 747. This was a carriage drawn by three horses. The park required this. We stopped at Arch rock on the other side of the island. The driver kept up a running conversation over a mike describing points of interest. The carriage held about 30 people. We returned at 6 in time to dress for the evening. Jacket and ties required for men and women are to wear their finest gowns.
Island tour.
Arch rock.
Transportation for Grand Hotel Help.
The dinning room was large and the service fast. Jane; Fred ordered, respectively: Appetizer: 5-Onion Tart, Bourbon Cream, Tasso Ham, Lobster Relish – very good; Vodka-Cured Salmon, Chévre Cheese Dressing. Soup: Tomato and Truffle Bisque, Fried Onion Petals (again Jane had the winner); Chicken Vegetable Minestrone, Cheese Tortellini – a bit too watery for Fred's taste, He expected a more robust soup. Salad: Field Greens w/Pinenuts & Goat Cheese, Red Wine Vinaigrette; Hearts of Romaine, Caesar Dressing. Entrée: Prime Rib of Beef, Pearl Onions, Au Jus with an orchid garnish; Roasted Duck Breast, Duck Leg Confit, blackberry-plum sauce – all served with potato (baked), mixed vegetables (zucchini, carrots, green beans), and Palenta which Fred thought was tasteless – also vegetables were over cooked and Fred's Duck was not too his liking – a little dry – Fred could not detect any “blackberry-plum” sauce (which sounded yummy). Desert: Hazelnut/coffee?? Cheese cake; Milk chocolate mooce with sliced fresh strawberries.
The food portions were small, which was all right (We both gained weight on this trip anyway). It was not bad, but not the 4-stars we had expected. This is probably because of the numbers they serve.
Dinner in Dining Room.
Dinner: Jane having desert.
Relaxing on the porch after dinner.
View of garden from the porch.
On Thursday, we had breakfast in the dining room. An ample menu and we could eat as many items and as much as we wanted. Typical fare. Jane had an omelet and Fred had French toast – also scrambled eggs. We checked out, leaving our suitcases outside the door with tags on them saying we were going to Macinaw City. Fred was able to check that our bags were on the cart that went on the Ferry with us. We walked down to the shopping center, taking pictures and buying fudge. We visited the old stone church, but did little touring.
Old stone Church: Note man cleaning up after horses.
Biddle house.
Flowers outside one of the houses in the village.
We left on the 11 Ferry (catamaran) that was twice as fast as a regular Ferry. We were on our way at noon and would have super highways all the way. BTW, the speed limit in Michigan is 70 on the super highways. Fred set the cruise control on 75. He wasn't used to going that fast and you do have to be alert. One general impression of Michigan is that it still has a lot of wide open space – not like built-up NJ.
Next Stop: Pat & Steve's House