Somewhere In Time – Mackinac Island – August 10 & 12, 2015

The movie, Somewhere in Time, is responsible for most people’s general knowledge of Mackinac Island but this 22 square mile island has been popular for some people for hundreds of years.   This once quaint village is invaded by 1.2 million tourists every summer season and has become a major economic force for Michigan.

Interesting question:  Why is Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island pronounced the same but not spelled the same?

Answer:  Blame it on the French language and pronounciations.

The only way to get to the island is by ferry, and there are no less than three companies providing the trip.  The dock area on the island is several blocks long filled with restaurants, fudge shops, and souvenir shops selling t-shirts publicizing the island.  There are no motorized vehicles permitted and only bicycles and horse drawn carriages are used to transport people and supplies.

Downtown Mackinac Island

While we stood at the station waiting for a carriage, we saw men on bicycles taking unbelievable loads of luggage to various hotels and we marveled at their balance and strength.

Of course with all the horses, comes some negatives when it rains.  While on the island tour we were warned by our guide not to step in any puddles because it usually includes something in addition to rain water.  I  have to say, once you leave the port area, Mackinaw Island is beautiful with huge summer homes owned by wealthy people from Chicago and other areas, uncut forest, clear clean water surrounding the island, and old buildings meticulously maintained over the years by the 600 full time residents.

Private Home on Island

Flowers around the island

Little Stone Church – Mackinac Island

Like the rest of western Michigan that we have explored during this first month, Mackinac Island is filled with stunning flowers in baskets and gardens.

Walkway at Carriage House Restaurant

Flowers around Carriage House Rest looking out at Lighthouse

We splurged one night and had dinner at the Grand Hotel dining room that seats 800 people.   When we walked in I was taken back by a buffet table nearby and was thinking we must be in the wrong place.  It was explained to us that the buffet is for children and then I noticed there were quite a few young families with younger children eating in the Main Dining room.  I guess they found young families to be a good market demographic to pursue.

Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island

View of Grounds of Grand Hotel

The adult meal was quite elaborate with a menu of multiple choices of appetizer, soup, salad, entree, and dessert.  Jim and Carol had an appetizer of Roasted chicken-avocado egg roll and I had Norwegian smoked salmon with goat cheese and truffle aioli.  Soup for Jim and Carol were Cream of five onion and I had Tuscan white bean with Chorizo sausage and mustard greens.  We all had a Caprese salad.  Can you tell that Jim and Carol were raised in the same household?

Jim had Rainbow Trout Almondine with Herbed Golden Quinoa,  Cipollini Onions, Cassis-Butter Sauce.

Trout Almondine – Grand Hotel

Carol had Sea Salt Crusted Prime Rib of Beef with Horseradish Puffs, Twice Baked Potato, and Beef Jus.

Prime Rib entry Grand Hotel

I had Colorado Loin of Lamb with Artichoke Fritters, Baked Parmesan Polenta and Tasso Ham Gravy.

Lamb entree at Grand Hotel

I assure you the food was fabulous!  For dessert we had Flourless Hazelnut Torte, Creme Brulee with a Pistacho cookie and Red Velvet Cheesecake with Popcorn flavored ice cream and sea salt caramel sauce.

Desserts at Grand Hotel – Creme Brulee, Red Velvet Cheesecake w/Popcorn Ice cream & Sea Salt Caramel Glaze & Flourless Hazelnut Cake

After dinner we waddled out to the grand porch and spent time sitting in the rockers and watching the people.

By the way, contrary to what we were told, there is no charge for sitting on the porch.  They do have a sign posted as you come up the hill to the hotel that says there is a $10.00 fee for entering the hotel if you are not a registered guest.  I guess we qualified as “residents” since we had just spent 2 hours eating dinner because no one asked us for any money.

One of the many sitting areas in the lobby of Grand Hotel

We had a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Grand Hotel. I think once is enough.