You know how it is when you find a book you really, really like, and you don’t want to put it down . . . not for anything? Well, that’s how I’ve been the last few days. I’ve been reading Susan Wiggs’ Table for Five, and after two really “heavy-duty” books, Table for Five, although not exactly a “light” subject, is an easy-to-read and compelling story.
I’ve said all that because I’m using it as an excuse not to have much for you tonight in the way of news OR photos. I know, I know. I don’t need excuses with y’all, but it really IS the reason I’ve been sticking close to home for a few days.
Anyway, here’s what I have – taken on walks with Bear and on the way home from church this morning.
A tree on Fourth Street. I’d just come off Whitefield Road, which is in the State Park, into the Village.
The remains of an old wooden fence on Whitefield Road. Love old fences!
We always have a goose or two around the Island, but now they’re arriving in great flocks. These were behind the school this morning as I came back from church.
The Grand Hotel has been a beehive of activity for the last week. They’ve been replacing the worn pavement in front of the hotel, and I’ve seen more motorized vehicles at the Grand (asphalt trucks, front-end loaders, etc) than I’ve seen on the entire island in the last six years.
The amazing thing is it’s entirely done – in one week! Old pavement removed, ground prepared, and new pavement poured. People have asked why they didn’t wait until after the hotel closed at the end of October. The answer is WEATHER. Asphalt cannot be poured below a certain outside temperature, and by the first of November, we could have snow. So – it’s done, it looks great, and next season, NO trucks or mess!
My favorite golf course tree again – from another angle.
The annual big barns pumpkin patch!
We got a good rain last night – the first we’ve seen in a few weeks. By morning, it was over except for some damp roads, which by noon were practically dry.
That’s it for tonight. We’re about to leave for Mackinac Night at the Chippewa (which we’ve never attended before), and I’m running late as usual.
Hope everyone has a great week, and I promise to get out of the house more in the next few days. God bless.
Bree's Mackinac Island Blog 
You never disappoint Brenda, even on short blogs like this, so no worries. My son and his wife are on the island now so if you happen to see them around, give them a shout out. I hope they have a few minutes to drop into the Stuart House tomorrow to say hello…but being newlyweds, who knows 😉
Will be on the lookout for them, Hilde, but I’m sure they can find better things to do than go through a museum!
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I’m sure the museum wasn’t really on the list…saying hello to my friend was 🙂
Awww. . . Would love to meet them, Hilde!
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Brenda I was on the Island last week and was amazed how green everything was. You mentioned that you haven’t had any rain in a couple of weeks. How do they keep everything so green? We are so dry and brown down in IL. Love Susan Wigg’s book. Hard to put them down. Have a great evening at the Chip.
Hi Brenda, this weekend was anything but quiet. I was on the island for the 35th anniversary of Troop 609 Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Council, Mackinac Island Governor’s Honor Guard or Scout Service Camp at the scout barracks. We had a wonderful time, a great turn out, got to see old friends, reminisce, relax and not have to do the work which is done during our week in August.
I love Mackinac in the Fall (of course I love it during any season also)!
Yes the geese inhabited the sports field at the barracks which was a bit messy 😦
Table for 5 is one of my favorite books–I just love Susan Wiggs books, if you haven’t read any others, be sure you do. Love your blog–look forward to it~~~~
Remember Brenda, a picture says a thousand words, and you have sent us man thousand today….thanks. Very enjoyable!! I am feeling a lot better now, thank you.
Enjoy your blog so much. And the photos.
Thank you
David G Burkhart
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Thanks, David!
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The picture of the geese on the school grounds made me laugh because one of the things I use to like to do on the island was play ‘500’ with a bunch of pals at that school ( 500 is a game where a batter smacks balls to the outfield and the first one to get to 500 ) would be the next batter. Anyway, we played there once late in the season and the outfield was ‘peppered’ with goose ‘opinions’ which made for a much more fun ( and disgusting ) match. Boys tend to have fun doing things that girls wouldnt think of. Anyway, enjoy your book and I really enjoyed your pics and commentary. I really miss being there this year.
THAT is funny, Jeff! And having two sons, I’m not even shocked at that variation of the game!
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Hilarious! yep, I also have a younger brother and 2 younger sisters. Getting my brother to play along was always easy. Not so much for my sisters. Man, I really do love it on the island. It is really hard to describe to someone who hasnt been there. It’s either you get it or you dont. This is one ( of many ) reasons I like your blog so much…its because you take pictures of what I call ‘the roses”, (as in stop and smell the roses)…the little things like flowers or fences or a special horse..etc that most people would never give a second look. I like looking at those things and really absorbing the island. I really liked those pics of you, the dogs and Ted up at fort Holmes. Fort Holmes is one of my favorite places in the world to just sit and look around. I have pictures of me and my dog up on the roof of the gateway and thankfully my daughters felt the same way as I did when I ‘dragged them’ up there 2 years ago. Anyway, I am rambling…but thanks again for the efforts you put into your blog. The blog makes me take time out ‘and smell the roses’ even if its just through e-mail.
Ah, Jeff, you made my day with this comment. When I occasionally ask myself why I keep doing this, I look back and find comments like yours, and I say to myself, “That’s why!”
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aw..thank you! and I do feel for you and worry about you from time to time. On one hand I totally get why your blog started ( to share with anyone who listens the glory that is Mackinac Island ) but I also see that this probably turned into something way bigger than you expected which can take the fun out of it from time to time. What started out as a project of passion can easily turn into a job…ya know? So I worry about you from time to time that because so many people are following your blog that you feel you owe your public ( ha! your public..it sounds so Hollywood!) something..anything! Anyway, you have a way about you and a charm as well as a passion for the island that people are naturally drawn to and fair or not….we want more! That all being said, if/when your blog ever feels like a chore over a passion then please step away from it..take a breath and get recharged then come back. I (we…your public…HA!) will totally understand and the last thing I would want is for you to lose some of that Mackinac sparkle in your eye..you know? Anyway, thanks for the time and thanks for putting so much of your soul into what you do. You make many people happy and as I tell my girls or my brother from time to time…you make a difference in peoples lives whether you realize it or not and THAT is something to be really proud of. so..thank you!
Jeff, tears welling. Thank you so much. You have truly tapped into my occasional thoughts on writing Bree’s Blog . . very intuitive of you, sir. I WILL be taking a break for the month of November, as I did last year. I found that did wonders for my spirit and enthusiasm. Thanks again, Jeff.
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Aww..I didnt mean to make you cry but thank you! Enjoy your November off and recharge. I still have hope to get to the island before it’s too cold but if not I will join your legion of stalkers and try to find you next year!(ha!). Give Bear some loving ( dogs are the best for when you’re feeling blue) and get out there and enjoy the day….and smile because your work ( blog ) does make a difference in my life. No need to respond to this if you dont want, I’ve taken up a lot of your time and I really appreciate the time you gave back. Now if I could only think of something funny and clever to end this note on….ah well. Go Bulldogs! ( and wolverines!)
Jeff
Mackinac night? Can’t wait to hear about it!
Didn’t even take my camera, Annie. It was a fun night though!
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Yep, loved reading your blog even when you think you don’t have much to say or show. I loved it and excited to see the new road in front of the Grand. Will you be at the Stuart house next Mon. the 7th or is it only open on weekends? Bruce and I will be arriving on the island this coming Sunday with our friends. We are so excited to show them our love of the island and all the wonderful nooks and crannies it has to show.
Well, hoping we are able to run into you and introduce ourselves in person. Have a wonderful week!
Joleen
Joleen, I’ll be at the Stuart House next Monday from 10-2. Look forward to meeting you!
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Hot Dog! See you then! Oh, and is the Fort only open on the weekends now?
Jolene, no. Fort is open 7 days a week, but I believe it closes at 4:30 now.
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Oh perfect! Thanks Bree!
Thanks for sharing! We were just there this last weekend, seeing some of what you posted. Can’t get enough of Mackinac Island!!!
It is so exciting to the picture of the barn’s pumpkin patch! If you spot Linus (Charlie Brown’s friend) sitting in the pumpkin patch make sure you get a picture! LOL!
I am currently reading The Drifter by Susan Wigg’s! It is a great book. The only thing better is if I was sitting on Mackinac Island reading it!
I will check that one out, yvonne!
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Thank you so much for your posts. A few days ago I read your post and got teary eyed because I miss the island so much. I immediately started researching hotels and now have 2 nights booked in 2 weeks 🙂 I have never been to the island in the fall and cannot wait to exerience the off season. Do you have any suggestions of things to do and lesser known places to explore in the fall? Thank you so much for letting us all see the beauty of Mackinac from afar!
Hi Ashley! Seeing Mackinac in the Fall is a whole new experience! In two weeks we should be at the height of leaf season, so you’ve picked a great time to visit. There will also be great SALES in all the stores! My only suggestion is to get up into the island and explore the trails and woods. Go to Ft. Holmes, Arch Rock and Sunset Rock for glorious views of water and color. Be on the boardwalk downtown at sunset (and sunrise, if you get up that early) for unbelievable skies! You are going to love it!
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I am so excited for the sales! I keep hearing about them! We are bringing our bikes and cannot wait to explore the middle of the island. Fort Holmes is definitely on my list, and Anne’s Tablet because I’ve never been there. I will definitely have to figure out where sunset rock is. I keep seeing pictures on Facebook of the amazing sunrises and sunsets! I will have to wake up early! We are also going to do one of the ghost hunts for the first time 🙂 Thank you so much for your suggestions!
Busy day, but all is right with my world now I have had my Island therapy, thanks so much!
I always enjoy your blog. You are my “link” to the island!! We are actually on the island right now for a few days at the lilac tree. Hope to run into you along the way. The weather is absolutely fabulous!!
Yes it is, Jeani!
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