Mackinac Island Getaway

My hubby and I left home Sunday morning around 9:00 a.m. bound for Mackinac Island in northern, MI.  Our wedding anniversary isn't until June 11th, but we decided to take advantage of a pre-season special.   In the photo below Jerry was at the sales window purchasing our Shepler's ferry tickets.

It was overcast, windy, with temperatures only in the mid 40's.  Many people were wearing their winter coats.   Lake Huron waters were very choppy.

Entrance to Shepler's Ferry Dock [from the inside].  Our luggage was piled onto carts waiting to be put on the ferry.

While Jerry was parking our car, I purchased a Chai Tea Latte to keep warm.  

~ We waited in line for the 2:00 p.m. departure on Miss Margy ~

By the time everyone got on, the lower deck was filled to capacity.  Nobody wanted to ride top deck. It was the choppiest ferry ride I've ever experienced - almost like an amusement park ride.

Jerry and I opted to walk up to the Grand Hotel, rather than taking the carriage ride.  On the hilly incline near the hotel were thousands of beautiful daffodils.  

If you look closely in the photo below you can see Jerry waving at me in the long line of hotel guests waiting to check-in at The Grand. The Marriage Conference, Celebrate Your Marriage, was being held at The Grand while we were there, but we were not a part of it.

As you can see by the large clock on the wall at the check-in desk, it was 3:35 p.m. when we checked in and got our key for room #251.

On the lower level near the hotel gift shop were two Shinola bikes that I couldn't resist taking a picture of.  The upscale/luxury bikes are hand-assembled in Detroit.  Some models sell for as much as $20,000.  I hadn't even heard of Shinola bikes and watches until I went on a tour of Detroit earlier this spring.

~ Our lovely room had two double beds. ~

Dinner wasn't until 6:30, so we had plenty of time to go to our room to unpack and get cleaned up. The photo below looks down the long center isle of the dining room, and beautifully set tables.

I was glad we were seated next to a window for a bit more privacy.

~ Our appetizer was Dungeness Crab and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ~

~ Lobster Bisque ~

We enjoyed live music while we dined.

~ Tossed Tomato Caprese Salad ~

  

The main entree I selected was Prime Rib of Angus Beef with Mashed Potatoes [hiding under the beef] and Asparagus.   It was delicious!

I rarely drink tea after late afternoon, but I had a cup of Earl Grey with my dinner.

It was too chilly to sit on The Grand's famous porch, but from our seats in the dining room we could look out onto the porch.  I took a photo of a gigantic chess set. 

My choice for dessert was their signature Pecan Ball with Fudge Sauce.  I discovered when listening to a 60-minute documentary Inside the Grand Hotel, that the pecan ball actually originated on the menu of the L.S. Ayres Tearoom in Indianapolis, Indiana where it was copied for The Grand dining room menu in 1947.  

What a delightful evening.  I could get used to that kind of living real easy!  ;-)

When we got back to our room the draperies had been drawn, and the beds turned down, with a piece of chocolate placed on our pillows.

Monday would be another day on the island.   I snuggled down under the covers to watch Call the Midwife and Dark Angel on PBS before drifting off to sleep.

P.S.  You may recall the posts I wrote about Mackinac Island and The Grand Hotel in September 2016 during the Michigan Tea Tour.  The island is always magical and a fun place to visit again and again.