July 21: Mackinac Island

We arrived in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, about 7 a.m. today. After breakfast, we departed by bus to St. Ignace, Mich., to catch the Arnold Ferry to Mackinac Island. The weather looked a bit threatening when some fog blew in but it quickly dissipated and bright sun and temperatures in the low 80s were with us the rest of the day! Perfect! We split into two groups on the island. My group first headed by horse drawn carriage to Fort Mackinac where we enjoyed a self-guided tour. Re-enactments are conducted at the Fort every 30 minutes. One included singing of old songs, including “Clementine.” For those who might remember it, the chorus is:

“Oh my darling, Oh my darling, Oh my darling Clementine…you are lost and gone forever, dreadful sorry, Clementine.”

My mom used to sing this song, so it was a nice memory! We then were picked up again by horse drawn carriage and transported to the amazing Grand Hotel for a buffet lunch and walk on the famous porch. The lunch highlight for me was the peel & eat shrimp and smoked salmon – what a treat! The views from the Grand Hotel were stunning. I even made it up to the cupola at the very top of the building where there’s a small bar with more amazing views! After lunch, we were again taken in small groups in horse drawn carriages for a one-hour tour of the island, including history of the notable homes and cemeteries, Mackinac Island State Park and Arch Rock. Our guide, a 19-year old gal who grew up on the island, pointed out that the island was known for the three F’s: fur trading, fishing and fudge! Then back to downtown for more sightseeing, shopping and people watching. Back on board the ship at 7 p.m., we immediately set sail through the Soo Locks, which lift the ship another 25+ feet to Lake Superior. Dinner selections included venison (wonderful), fish and Napolitano pasta. My dinner companions were Edgar & Patricia Terrell from Charlotte, N.C.; friends Roseanna Torretto & Eileen Heaser from Sacramento area of California; and friends Marjorie Scott & Mildred Goelz also from California. Later, on our TVs we were treated to the movie “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour, which was filmed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in 1979-80.