Weekend News and Fun 6/9/2013

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful weekend we’ve had here on Mackinac.  SO MUCH to tell you about I don’t even know where to start . . . so, let’s start with Friday, which just happened to be . . .

MY BIRTHDAY!

Sixty-five.  How can that be?  I remember when I’d meet someone who was 65 and think, “Golly, that is really, really OLD!”  And now here I am . . .  really, really OLD!  But I don’t feel 65 – well except when I first get up in the morning and haven’t had my coffee.  And when I’ve walked up Cadotte more than once a day.  And when I’ve climbed the stairs from Marquette Park to Anne’s Tablet.  And when . . . well, you know what I mean.

My sweet Ted took me to dinner Friday evening at The Island House, which overlooks the Mackinac Island Marina.

We haven’t eaten there in several years. I don’t know why. except it’s a little further to walk. Our dinner was excellent, and the view of the Straits and the freighters passing between the lighthouses just can’t get much better than this!

MEETING ANNA

A few weeks ago I received an email from Anna Marlis Burgard.  Anna is the author and principal photographer for the forthcoming book, “Island of America: A River, Lake and Sea Odyssey”.  She is finalizing publisher negotiations, and National Geographic Traveler will feature the book when it releases.  Anna has worked for quite a while in the illustrated book business as an editor, creative director and author, but she says the “Islands” book is certainly her biggest adventure.  She is planning to include Mackinac in the book, and while “noodling” around online she found Bree’s Blog and wanted to meet me and get my thoughts about the island.  “Would I be available,” she asked.  “Why, yes I would!” I replied.

I later learned she had been in contact with our Tourism Bureau Director Mary McGuire, and had three days of photography scheduled during her visit.

On Saturday Anna and I met at the Chippewa for lunch and had a happy time discussing what is – of course – the very best island – Mackinac! I learned that Anna has been researching this book for 1 1/2 years and will probably spend at least another year traveling before it’s ready for the printer.  It will be published in 2015.  I had a blast listening to her stories of all the islands she is visiting around the country, and I hope I was able to give her some local color about our “rock”.  I invited her to Little Stone Church for Sunday services, and there she was this morning! 

So enjoyed meeting you Anna.  I’m looking forward to the publication of your book, and we’re so excited you’re including Mackinac!

SUNDAY MORNING

This weekend – weatherwise and otherwise – has been awesome!  We’re finally beginning to get warmer temps, and walking to church this morning was a real treat.  Instead of layers upon layers, I ambled down the hill without a single “cold weather” wrap.  The sun felt great!

Walking back home after services, I stopped to snap a few photos. Flowers are popping up everywhere now, and it constantly amazes me how flowerpots, empty just yesterday, can be filled with overflowing blossoms – overnight!  I think we must have some flower genies on Mackinac!

Everything is green, green, green . . .

. . . and the Grand Jewel Golf Course is manicured to perfection.

SUNDAY WALK

After lunch and a long afternoon nap, Ted and I headed out with the pups for a walk in the woods.  They were so excited when we got out the leashes they were practically bouncing off the walls!

The Lilacs in the Village are joining those all over the Island in trying to outdo each other in color and variety.  One block from our condo, we turned left onto Fourth and walked the short block to the gravel road where Fourth ends and Whitefield Road begins.

At that point, we are in the Mackinac Island State Park.

Just a few yards on the gravel, and we turned down Fire Break Trail.

I’d walked Maddie and Bear down this trail a few days ago, and I wanted to show Ted something that had frightened Bear. This trail is really thick with vegetation this year.  All the snow this winter failed trees and branches, and although it’s hard to see in this photo, the dirt path is completely covered here by brush – but not so bad we couldn’t push our way through.

I love these woods walks. It’s out here that you find the real Mackinac – in the trees, in the wildflowers, in the wind and birds and small animals scurrying away at our footsteps.

When I was here a few days ago, Bear ran ahead of me and up over that hill. A few seconds later, he began barking – something he normally doesn’t do unless Maddie does it first. I hurried ahead and found him backed off several feet and frantically warning me that there was a dangerous creature ahead . . . .

, , , this cairn rock sculpture someone had recently formed! For Bear, who knows every rock and branch and tree out here, this was different . . .

. . . and therefore. it was worth it to sound an alarm.

Maddie, jumping over a couple of small trees that had fallen across the path.

Out of the State Park and back into the Village.  Lilacs . . .

. . . and Bleeding Hearts against a neighbor’s fence.

Cadotte Avenue runs all the way through the Village and into the State Park – where it dead ends into Annex Road.  I love the Village!

Two “drive it yourself” buggies – grown children in the first one, grandparents and grandchildren in the second – followed by a taxi.  Where else but on Mackinac!

OTHER GOODIES!

My friend Frankie and sweet Hershey are on the Island for a few days. They stopped in to see Jill at the Island Bookstore.  Sorry, Hershey, no treats in my pocket.

After a party downtown Saturday night, Ted and I waited at the cab stand for a taxi home. God painted quite a beautiful tapestry across the sky that evening.

A wedding photographer was doing some special shots out on our lawn late this afternoon. I rushed inside to get the big lens, but only caught them as they rode away.

The Lilac bush at the corner of our back yard.

My sweet boy.

I  begin volunteering tomorrow at the Stuart House and will be there every Monday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the rest of the season.  If you’re on the Island on a Monday, I’d sure love it if you’d stopped by and said hi!

Happy, Happy Birthday this weekend to our special brother-in-law, Charlie/Frog McMichael, and a Happy, Happy Birthday also to Mr. Pat Pulte, owner of the Murray Hotel and the Inn on Mackinac!  Pat is one of the Mackinac 7 – a group of talented artists who live and work on the Island.  Pat, I have my eye on that painting of the Stuart House on Market Street!

The Lilac Festival is in full swing this week, culminating in the Lilac Festival Parade next Sunday afternoon.  Stay tuned for all the fun!