Photo Night! 9/23/15

Are you kidding me?!  We’ve been here almost SIX WEEKS?!  Are you kidding me?!

Oh. My. Gosh!  It’s just unbelievable how fast these weeks have flown by.  And we’ve been so busy I know I haven’t shown you nearly enough of beautiful Mackinac – and that’s why you come to this blog!!  So, I’m going to try to remedy that, because . . .IT’S PHOTO NIGHT!!

Here’s a sampling of what I’ve captured through my lens during the last couple of weeks.  There are a LOT of pics, but believe me, there were a LOT more I could have posted. But then you’d have been here when you should have been working – or sleeping – or eating!

Let’s start with cuteness, with a capital “C” – for Chester! Chester belongs to friend Bart, who also happens to be a volunteer fireman on Mackinac. So . . . now the Mackinac Island Fire Department has an official Dalmatian fire dog mascot!!

I wonder what we can get into today!

A walk to the ferry one morning took me by The Island House and its magnificent gardens . . .

. . . . and Fort Mackinac, framed by newly mown grass and that incredible Michigan-blue sky.

So excited to see good friend Frankie and her friend Sue when we met a few days ago in Mackinaw City. We rode over to Petoskey and had lunch at Stafford’s Bay View Inn. What a charming place and what yummy food!  It was a great day, Frankie!

View that same day when I got back to the island – looking at the steeple of Mission Church from one of the third floor bedroom windows. A peaceful sunset on Mackinac.

We FINALLY made it up to Fort Holmes last week! This is what it looked like the last time I was up there (two years ago) . . .

. . . and here it is now!!

What an awesome job they did reconstructing the fort, both outside . . .

. . . and inside. The fort’s history is told on placards around the wall.

As you top that last rise of the road leading up past the cemetery, and the structure comes into view, it just takes your breath away . . .

. . . and so does the view from the “top of the island”.

From Fort Holmes we walked up one of my favorite paths to Lookout Point  . . .

. . . and even though there was very little “color change” looking out toward Sugar Loaf . . .

. . . we did spot a few leaves turning red in the tops of a couple of trees.

This tree downtown next to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Museum is always one of the first to show its fall colors, and this year is no different.

Even though summer is officially over on the calendar, Mackinac’s flowers are still blooming their hearts out – like here at The Cottage Inn on Market Street . . .

. . . and near Anne’s Cottage on Main Street.

The hanging baskets are still going strong and continue to grow more beautiful each day.

These pink and green bikes . . .

. . . seem to match the pink and green baskets on the front of a downtown cottage.

A freighter passing . . . as seen between downtown condos.

So good to run into Pam and Mike Day (from Ohio) while out biking the other day. These two might love Mackinac as much as I do . . . notice I said “might” . . . it’s pretty close though. They’re on the island around this time every year and are two of the sweetest folks I’ve ever met!

As you may or may not be aware, last weekend the island was host to the Republican Leadership Conference, and five or six of the candidates in the running for the Republican Presidential nomination were here to speak. While waiting for Carly Fiorina to arrive, I ran into one of my favorite Mackinac Island photographers, Steven Blair. Steven owns Artistic Mackinac Gallery & Studio on Astor Street.  If you’re ever in the market for beautiful photography of beautiful Mackinac, you need to stop into Steven’s shop.  Bet you don’t walk out empty-handed!

I managed to get a few shots of Fiorina – both arriving on the Shepler dock . . .

. . . and close up, as she walked down for a meet & greet at Mary’s Bistro.

This photo of me with Jeb Bush is from two years ago. He was on the island to speak at the Detroit Chamber of Commerce conference and was leaving just as I arrived from volunteering with Shepler’s on the mainland that day. There were maybe three people standing around, and I don’t think any of them realized who he was.  He was carrying his own luggage.

What a difference two years makes! This is Bush’s arrival last week! (Photo: Jill Sawatzki)

Being so close to town this year, I’ve spent more time out and about after dark. These next three photos are from a sunset stroll to the condo after dinner at the Chippewa. Lady Liberty stands guard over the marina.

The Island House . . .

. . . and Mission Church.

We had lunch recently with Steve and Cindy, who bought our condo. They are so sweet and love the condo AND Mackinac a lot. They’re from Atlanta and spend most of the summer up here – just like we did.

Things you never want to see on Mackinac – fire trucks! Early last Sunday morning a piecing alarm went off just across the street from us, followed within two minutes with the arrival of our Mackinac Island Fire Department. Turned out a sprinkler system pipe had sprung a leak and set off the alarm. Geez – sure wouldn’t wish THAT on anyone. But – so glad it wasn’t a fire.  Our firemen were on it in record time!

On the way off island for a final grooming appointment before going home. . . .

. . . and spreading “Bear love” wherever he goes.

We ran into Mary Lou Peters, my favorite watercolor artist, in the Island Bookstore this afternoon. Love this talented lady!

Here’s a good one to end with! We stopped in at Sadie’s this week so Ted could have a Jersey Mudd. Not to be outdone, I ordered their “special of the day”, a Brownie Scotch sundae. Someone on Faceebook asked me if it was the camera angle that made my sundae look five times bigger than Ted’s. No, it really WAS five times bigger!

I can’t WAIT until tomorrow.  For some reason, this seems to be a week when a pretty good number of Bree’s Mackinac Island Blog readers are on the island.  Since I’m working at the Stuart House tomorrow, everyone I could get in contact with is going to show up at the Stuart House at 10:30 a.m. for a group photo, with Jill doing the photography honors.  IF you read Bree’s Blog and you’re on the island and want to join us – whether you’re from out of town or an island reader – please come on by Thursday morning and join in the fun!  10:30 a.m. at the Stuart House!!

Excited to see everyone!!!

On the Street Where We Live . . . . 8/27/15

Today – for the first time since we arrived almost two weeks ago – I took my camera out with me and shot pictures. I just walked from our condo down to Doud’s corner, but I think you’ll be able to see what I’ve meant in the first couple of blogs about the beauty of this year’s flowers!

Looking from Marquette Park up Main Street toward the Marina . . .

. . . and then back toward Doud’s corner.  The hanging baskets this year drape almost to the sidewalk.  Incredible!

The big cottage here with the gorgeous stone chimney is Brigadoon, but you’re also seeing the corner of Anne’s Cottage, with its elegant iron fence.

Brigadoon through the flowers.

The majestic Island House and its gardens.

A few close ups . . .

. . . you know I don’t know the names . . .

. . . but I wish I did!

Hanging baskets from every balcony – plus some flower boxes.

The Inn on Mackinac.

Love these flowers against the white picket fence and the white house . . .

. . . and looking past them to the harbor.  Two ladies were standing with me taking a photograph of the same scene, and one said to the other, “Can you just imagine being able to look at this every day from your backyard?  That’s what I call living the good life!”  Amen to that, ladies.  Being here to experience it for even a few hours is pretty special too!

Looking down the street toward our home for the next few weeks , , ,

. . . and here’s where we are. Sure have been enjoying our morning coffee out on that deck!

I know I promised more than I’ve been giving in the way of blogs since we’ve been here, but we’ve had a series of “happenings” that has kept us hopping since our arrival, and my writing and photography has had to take a backseat.  I think we’re about to settle into some normalcy now . . .  at least I sure hope so!

There is so much happening this weekend and on into next week, and if the weather cooperates it’s going to be a blogger’s paradise  – the Festival of the Horse is Friday and Saturday, and the Grand Garden Show begins on Sunday.  So stay tuned and come along for all the fun!

Mackinac Photo Night 6/7/1948

It’s been an interesting couple of days.

Yesterday Ted had a pretty nasty bike wreck, bruised his ribs (well, they’re at LEAST bruised, but since he refused to go to the Medical Center to get them x-rayed, we’re just going by how much he’s hurting), bummed up both knees . . . you get the picture.  It was a really freaky accident.  We learned long ago to always carry a couple of bungee cords with us in our bike baskets to hold things in from the grocery market, bookstore, etc.  When your basket is empty, you wrap the bungee cords tightly around your basket so they’re not dangling into your front wheel.  Ted had done all that correctly.  For some reason though, as he came down a hill (not a big hill, a little one), one of the bungees popped loose, dropped into his spokes, froze the wheel, and over the handlebars Ted went.  It was his worse wreck ever, but he was so fortunate he didn’t land on his head, which was helmet-less.  Bad, bad idea . . . and yes, we know better.

So – he’s all bruised and sore, but trying his best to be a trooper because today is my birthday, and he didn’t want to put a damper on that.  Bless his heart, he’s walked the dogs with me and rode into town on his now “fixed” bike (it’s actually one of the bikes we sold with our condo, but the new owners insisted we use them while we’re here) to pick up a couple of things at Doud’s.  The bike now has a new chain and a new fender and an “almost” perfectly straight basket.  In the meantime, I’ve been back and forth to town several times working on fudge stories and photographs and once to pick up Bear’s halo collar from the Shepler dock because yes, he now has a hot spot . . . in exactly the same spot on his face where the last two have been.  I put the halo in the car at the last minute before we left Georgia, but didn’t bring it over with us on the ferry.  All it took was a phone call, and a Shepler worker got it out of the car and sent it over on a boat to be picked up at the ferry dock on the island.

After all that – and after possibly the fastest decision-making moment of our entire married life – we both used our heads and decided against a big birthday dinner out tonight.  We stayed home, had pizza delivered from Island Slice Pizzeria, and it was lovely – a quiet dinner in the kitchen with the lights low and the dogs snoring on the floor.  Now Ted’s watching TV/reading the paper and trying to stay awake till bedtime!

And I’ve decided to post a few photos!

The baskets are up! The baskets are up!

 

Pretty bikes all in a row.

 

The beautiful and stately Harbor View Inn.

 

The opening day of the 2014 Lilac Festival was Friday, and the island is filling up with visitors. There was a 5K race this morning, and the Lilac Queen and her court were announced this afternoon.

 

Loved this almost-hidden wicker chair on someone’s front porch. Great place to people watch!

 

Tulips in front of the Island House.

Bikes fill the racks on Fort Street.

 

Amazed children watch the fudge makers in Original Murdick’s Fudge.

 

A Grand Hotel bus waits under a tree at the Windermere Hotel.

 

Met some blog readers from Cadillac, MI on the boardwalk this afternoon. They’re staying on the island the whole week – lucky folks! That’s Gerry, Julie, Glenna, and Greg! I love my readers!

 

Also got to chat a moment with one of my favorite artists – Mary Lou Peters – all dressed up in lilac in celebration of the festival.

 

We’re loving this walk each day along the shore in front of Mission Point!

 

Beautiful Small Point Inn – looking like a gingerbread house peeking out over the lilacs trees.

 

I think this little girl had just been in a wedding. Maddie found her totally scary. She just couldn’t figure out exactly what she was – but she was sure cute!

 

Mission Point is a riot of pink tulips! I just stuck my camera into the middle of them and click the shutter.

Ok – that’s enough for tonight, I think.  Ted’s downing more aspirin, and we’re hoping to attend church tomorrow morning to hear the new Little Stone Church minister.  Two more days on the island . . . 

Fall? Who Said? 9/25/2013

After working Monday morning at the Stuart House, I took some time to walk through downtown with my camera.  Everywhere I turned were gardens, flower beds, flower pots and hanging baskets – all beautiful and happily blooming away.  You’d never know we’ve been in the 50’s for highs this week and frost warnings have been issued the last two nights. 

So . . . Fall might be here on the calendar – but Mackinac Island’s summer flowers are still blooming their little hearts out!

Our post office always looks good, but this year the tall, beautiful flowers surrounding the entrance are really showing off. Makes going after the mail a real treat!

One of the many hanging baskets at The Cottage Inn . . .

. . . and a little frog named Bob who just can’t stay away from his cell phone.

These beauties were outside Weber’s on Market Street.

Butterflies are still fluttering – like this one sipping at some flowers in front of a closed-for-the-winter cottage on Huron Street.

There are no words for the floral wonders at the Island House this year.

Every garden is a masterpiece of color, variety . . .

. . . and uniqueness.

Bay View of Mackinac is a riot of flowering bushes.

Doud’s Market. I remember these window boxes in the spring when they first were planted. They have thrived all summer, and right now they are peaking.

Hanging basket outside Mary’s Bistro.

One perfect blossom – along the board walk.

Cadotte Avenue from the Grand Hotel.

MORE SCENES FROM THE MONDAY AFTERNOON STROLL

Looking across Marquette Park toward Fort Mackinac.  Not much Fall color yet – but it’s coming!

J.L. Beanery Coffee House is a great place for breakfast – and awesome lunch sandwiches.

Quiet street – from the Fort to the Island House.

The Mackinac Island Marina is another quiet place these days.

The Island House – tucked between Michigan blue skies and shamrock green lawns.

A nice afternoon to visit across the white picket fence in front of the Windermere Hotel.

A shady curve of sidewalk leading to the library . . .

. . . where I ducked through the side yard to check if the chairs were still out on the back deck.

Walking along the boardwalk these days is a treat to all the senses . . .

. . . especially the visual.  A Shepler ferry . . .

. . . and the Arnold freight boat glide across sparkling blue water.

Chambers Corner and a glimpse up Market Street.

Little Stone Church through the changing leaves of the new trees that line Cadotte.  I wonder how many more years I’ll call them the “new” trees?

A touch of color on a Jewel Golf Course tree . . .

. . . and apples near the road that every horse on Mackinac tries to swipe as they walk by.

A wagon and a carriage stand side by side in the sunshine at Barn View.

NEWSY STUFF

Picking up the outgoing mail at the post office.  The dray delivers it to the ferry, and the next morning the whole process starts again – in reverse.  (Photo:  Jill Sawatzki)

It’s definitely Fall inside Doud’s Market! (Photo: Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island)

Remember those empty blue barrels from the other day? These are packed full and on the first leg of their journey to Jamaica – along with what looks like some carpet.  (Photo: Jill Sawatzki)

Getting my coffee fix at Lucky Bean, before opening the Stuart House on Monday morning.  (Photo: Jill Sawatzki)

Meet the Greens – Kem and Ed from Des Moines, Iowa. Kem discovered Bree’s Blog last summer after visiting Mackinac, and if I’ve ever met anyone who mirrors how I felt after my first trip here, it is Kem. Ed feels the same way, and they have a plan to be living (maybe full-time) on the Island in five years. They came over to the Stuart House on Monday and asked us to have dinner with them at the Chippewa Hotel (where they’re staying) last night so they could ask questions about island life. Such a nice couple! I fell immediately in love with Kem’s enthusiasm and positive attitude. If anyone can make that plan come true, these two can!

When the Greens came by the Stuart House Frankie and Hershey were visiting for a few minutes, so everyone introduced themselves. This morning was very foggy so Kem went out shopping and stopped in to see Frankie at Benjamin’s. She asked where Hershey was, and Frankie said “Upstairs in the apartment.” So Kem said, “Why don’t we take her for a walk?” Do you see why I’m crazy about these two. Kem collected Hershey, called Ed at the Chippewa, and they all went for a walk in the fog!

And speaking of fog. The morning started off bright and beautiful, but Jim Ryerse captured the fog bank as it rolled in. So eerie-looking!

Stephanie Fortino, the reporter from the St. Ignace News/Town Crier who wrote the wonderful story about Lowell & Faye’s trip to the Island, rode up to the condo this afternoon, and we all chatted about Bree’s Blog for over two hours. The story should run in the October Town Crier.  I love working with Stephanie – another enthusiastic – and very professional – young lady.

WEDNESDAY WALK

After Stephanie hurried down the hill to catch the ferry, Ted and I took Maddie and Bear for a long walk. I am always amazed at some of the bizarre forms aged or dead trees take on over the years.  These trunks on Cupid’s Pathway seemed almost fossilized.

Rays of sunlight breaking through thick still-green foliage.

Now that Bear is feeling better, he is getting rid of a lot of pent-up energy on every walk. Once off-leash in the woods he breaks into an all-out run and races through bushes and over fallen trees like a pack of wolves is after him.

Then he stops, digs a hole . . . .

. . . . grabs a stick . . .

. . . and chews.

And then he starts all over again! 

How they like to end every walk . . . running up the hill at the Carriage Museum to get treats from Denise!

Well, I guess you didn’t know when you sat down to read this you were going to be here this long!  I’ve really been out a lot with the camera this week! 

I still haven’t worked out the details with Liz Ware about my night at Silver Birches, but hopefully that is still going to happen. 

One big bit of news.  We had an offer on the condo this week, but after counter offers and re-counter offers, we just couldn’t get together on price.  So . . . no sale on that one. 

Hoping everyone is having a good week.  Stay safe, stay well, and I’ll see you back here in a few days!  God bless.

Beauty is God’s Handwriting 6.6.2012

We have a Mystery Spot Contest winner!  Congratulations to Pat Steele!  Please see the very end of this post for the answer to this week’s Mystery Spot.

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Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’ve had several readers be concerned whether the lilacs will still be blooming for the 10-day Lilac Festival, which begins June 8.  Let me say this about that.  The lilacs are still here.  Downtown, some have already faded, some are beginning to fade, and a few are still in full bloom.  Away from downtown – up along Cadotte Avenue and further up into the Island, – there are still many, many bushes that are blooming beautifully.  Come, you won’t be disappointed.

Having said that, now let me say this.  If not a single lilac blossom was left on this Island, you would still be so entranced by the beauty that is springing to life on every other flower, plant, and tree you would probably not miss the lilacs one bit.  I have never seen Mackinac turn so beautiful so quickly as it has this year.  Maybe it was the warm winter, maybe it’s the warm spring.  Whatever it is, Mackinac is blooming, and beauty is everywhere!

And that’s the truth.

This week every light post in town was adorned with a gorgeous hanging basket. These purple petunia baskets are all now hanging on the balconies at the Lilac Tree Suites and Spa.

Geraniums along the side fence at Little Stone Church.

This old bench is almost hidden in the yard of a home on French Lane. It is surrounded by flowers.

There is a beautiful home on the corner of French Lane and Market Street.  Behind this home (on French Lane) is a garden which I photograph each year.  This photo and the next few are from that garden this afternoon.  Here, blooms are about to burst open.

Every year I say, “Ok, this is it. It can’t get any better than this.” Every year I am wrong.

Whether the flowers are kissed by the sun or rest in the shade, each one is perfectly placed and tended.

You see that white Adirondack chair? I’d like to sit right there for an entire day and just watch people walk by.

Honeysuckle in the Village near our condo.

Lilacs on Cadotte Avenue.

Lady Slippers on the side of the road, just past the Grand Hotel.

Readers Favorite Mackinac Island Photos

I love this feature, and I knew when we started it this would be a popular addition.  I’m getting photos every day now.  Some frame special memories of Island visits, some tell a funny story, and some are jaw-droppingly beautiful!  I could have posted 10-12 pics, but I’m trying to limit it to four each week.  If you’ve received an email from me after submitting your photo, you know I will be using yours sometime this summer.  And yes, keep them coming in to brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com.

From Beth Brandt. This was taken around 10:30 a.m. last fall. Beth first visited the Island when she was 12. She worked at Martha’s Sweet Shop 1998-2000 and is an “Island lover” for life. She and her husband were here last fall to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

I love this photo from Jerry Fields of Chesterfield, Indiana. He says this policeman was “taking names” and writing tickets just past Mission Point. Jerry and his wife said the policeman was very nice and posed for them to get the perfect photo.

Bob Caylor – Hemlock, MI.  Bob loves Mackinac Island so much he has published two books about it – so far.  They are: “Behind the Scenes: Mackinac Bridge Maintenance” and “Behind the Scenes: Mackinac Island Ferry Boats”.  Both are available on Amazon.com, from Barnes and Noble, and of course, from the Island Bookstore!

Patti Root – Litchfield, MI. Patti was born and raised in New York City, but love brought her to Michigan. They travel to Mackinac Island twice a year, and she captured the boardwalk here last fall.

Meeting A Blog Reader

On Monday I began my volunteer work at the Stuart House Museum for another season.  One of my blog readers, Yvonne Pitsch from Sigourney, Iowa stopped by, and we had a wonderful time chatting about the Island, our homes, and our pooches!  Yvonne was staying at the Cottage Inn with innkeepers Marge and Rich and having a wonderful time.  She and her husband will be back  in September!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Yvonne!

Casting Light

All day Monday, and then again today I’ve found myself thinking about something I read this weekend.  It was in another person’s blog, and I would never have found it except that the person who writes that blog happened to stop by to read Bree’s words on Mackinac Island.  The software I use is such that if someone who has a blog reads my blog, I get a message with their blog address.  It’s pretty cool!

The name of the blog is “Cast Light”, and I’m already hooked after reading only a few posts.  The author is giving us all a daily reminder to give our best to others.  She says, “Every day we choose to either “cast shadows” (gossip, complaints, cynicism) or to “cast light” (enthusiasm, encouragement, generosity).  Life is made up of moments and choices.  In all that you think, do and say, look for light and cast it back out.”

Oh my goodness!  Wouldn’t this world be a better place if we all chose to cast light instead of shadows in our day-to-day dealings with family, friends, fellow workers, and anyone we happen to come in contact with!

If you’d like to read more, you can click here, and I’ve added the blog to my blogroll on the right: cast-light.com

Mystery Spot Contest

The object of the Mystery Spot is to be the first to identify where the object is located. When you think you have the answer, email me at brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com. I’ll check my email several times a day, and as soon as we have a winner, I’ll post the winner’s name at the top of this blog so you can stop guessing (you may have to refresh your page for this to show up). Is there a prize for the winner?  Yes there is; but the prize is secret, and the only ones who will know what it is are the winners. To be fair, I’m asking residents of Mackinac Island to please NOT guess. This is just for readers who don’t live here . . . but would like to! And the Mystery Spot is   . . . .

Where is it?

 Again, please email your answers to me at brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com.  PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER IN THE “COMMENTS” SECTION OF THE BLOG.  Remember, I’ll post the winner at the top of this blog as soon as someone gives the correct answer.

Personal Note:  There won’t be a post on Friday this week because I’m going to be out celebrating my birthday on Thursday evening with my hubby.  Look for me back on Saturday morning instead!  See you then.

P.S.  Don’t forget to check out The Dog-Eared Page.  Bear just posted something new there today!  The link is in the blogroll on the right side of this page!

Mystery Spot Answer

That fabulous stone chimney is located at the pavilion at Great Turtle Park. On the other side of the chimney is a huge open fireplace and grill. It’s a great spot to have a picnic, and the kids will love the nearby playground.

Come Along With Me . . . . 5/28//2012

Late Thursday afternoon, Maddie and Bear went into the frenzy of barking they save now only to announce something really unusual.  They no longer utter a peep when horses, taxis, drays, electric scooters or Grand Hotel buses approach.  Maddie will still bark at any dog that gets within a mile of the condo, but at least she do longer barks at little children, which is nice because we live in a neighborhood full of them!

What set them off that afternoon was the arrival of our new downstairs neighbors – Janice Blankenburg and her two daughters, Vika and Anna – from Wisconsin.  With them was Tom Boy – a black lab, Hunter – a yellow lab (Bear wrote a new post to introduce you to them.  I’ve put The Dog-Eared Page on my Blog Roll on the right-hand side menu of this page so you can easily access it), and two Guinea Pigs – Checkers and JoJo.  Yep – Maddie and Bear were in Heaven welcoming these new folks.

We actually met this family last fall when they closed on their condo.  When we arrived this spring, we peeked in their windows to see all the work that had been done since then.  Wow – their place looks wonderful!  Earlier on Thursday, all their kitchen appliances and lots of furniture arrived on the dray, and the taxi they came up the hill on pulled a luggage cart behind it,  packed to the brim with luggage, boxes, blinds, a Guinea Pig cage, and lots of other “daily living” necessities.

Getting ‘er done on Mackinac! Two horses + 1 taxi + 1 luggage cart = a new family on the Island!

Next step in the process – take off the wrap holding everything on the cart, bundle that up into a tight ball and put in trash (before it gets away from you and scares the horses), unload cart, then pull the cart out to the edge of the road, to be picked up by a passing buggy on Friday morning. All extremely efficient, without a single motorized vehicle involved!

I can so remember the excitement of getting our condo “fixed up” when we first bought it.  Heck, we’re STILL fixing it up!

We kept hoping we would get rain on Thursday night.  Michigan is so dry, and wildfires are burning in the U.P.  Like so many other areas in the United States, we need lots of rain.  We heard on Thursday there were evacuations near Tahquamenon Falls State Park (I wrote a blog about the Falls a couple of years ago), and the park itself is closed because of the fire.  Not good.  We slept Thursday night with the bedroom door open, hoping to hear rain through the night.  What we heard instead was wind, and it is the high winds we are experiencing that is hampering firefighters from getting the fires under control.

The winds have kept the temperatures cool though, and Ted and I decided Friday afternoon to take our first official bike ride of the season (we’ve been on our bikes before this, but only on “business”, like downtown shopping and post office runs.

We decided to go through the middle of the Island to British Landing, and our first stop along the way was the Community Stable. The 4-H program horses and ponies have arrived on the Island for the summer, and some familiar and some NEW faces were eager to have their photos made. This is Prancer.

New to the program this year, Gal was sporting some spiffy hoof gear. Gal hadn’t worn horseshoes before coming to the Island, and the green “covers” are to prevent her back shoes from striking the shoes on her front feet and knocking them off. They’ll be removed when she gets use to not going “barefoot”.

New girl Gal is becoming fast friends with Fiona, who has come to the Island for several summers now.  Children on the Island spend the summers taking riding lessons on the 4-H horses and ponies, mucking out stalls, and learning about horse care.  Great fun!

Ted is always looking for caves, so once we got on the road again, we pulled over several times so he could explore “promising” sites. After walking through a heavily wooded area at one spot, the forest suddenly opened up onto this beautiful meadow.

Thousands of yellow flowers ran along the edge of the meadow, and the ground was soft and boggy. It’s amazing how many hidden places this tiny Island holds secret – until you stumble upon them.

Next stop – the Cannonball at British Landing. This is the rest stop for everyone who bikes – or walks – around the Island. It’s almost exactly half-way the distance to town and has plenty of cold drinks (warm ones on cold days) and hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and snack foods of all kinds. Picnic tables in the shade allow you to eat in comfort, then . . . .

. . . walk down to the water, which today – on the southwest side of the Island – was choppy, with whitecaps.

This seagull had picked out some prime real estate between the picnic tables – where someone might drop some crumbs – and the lake – where a quick dip might net him a minnow or two.

Back to the cave hunt. We made a U-turn at British Landing and went back the way we came. At the top of the first rise, we swung left on Scott’s Cave Road, a wooded path through beautiful spring-green trees.  It was along this path we saw two of my favorite wildflowers . . .

. . . Lady Slippers, which are in the Orchid family . . .

. . . and Columbine.  Columbine is also known as “Granny’s Bonnet”, because the flowers resemble the mop hats worn by elderly women in colonial times.  We also saw some still-white Trillium, but most were beginning to fade into pink.

Our path through the woods brought us in behind Silver Birches – an abandoned rustic lodge and cabins.

This is a beautiful property – sure wish someone would reopen it.

We took the short, gravel Scott’s Shore Road over to Lakeshore Blvd. On this side of the Island, the water was calm . . . .

. . . and I’m always in awe of how clear the waters of Lake Huron are.  The large rocks that line the lake bottom can easily be seen.

At one spot, we left our bikes a little off the road and walked out on the rocky “beach”. This photo was taken where the beach met the water – looking back toward shore. It’s a reminder of how low the Great Lakes water level is when you realize that rise of rocks in the distance is the former lake level.  Of course, there is not this much beach everywhere around the Island – far from it – but where the water was the most shallow, there is now land.

We passed Arch Rock at the perfect time of day for a photograph, without the sun’s interference . . .

. . . and came into town through Mission Point Resorts “avenue of trees”.  Beautiful!

By the time we stopped at the bookstore to pick up a paper, the post office to pick up the mail, Doud’s to pick up something for dinner, and rode home, we had clocked a little over nine miles.  Not bad for our first “official” bike ride!

Random Photos

Everything is blooming!

Mahoney Avenue is gorgeous right now with lilacs. Mahoney is the street that turns off Cadotte Avenue, down to the lake, just before the block where Somewear On Mackinac and the Gate House are located.

White lilacs on the west end of Market Street.

Lilacs aren’t the only blooming plants on the Island. Everywhere we look there are gardeners and landscapers mulching in topsoil and oh-so-rich horse manure, planting annuals, dividing perennials, and setting up sprinklers. Soon every square inch of unpaved area will either be green or some brilliant color of the rainbow.

Just liked the way all this looked together.

Tulips in front of the Lakeview Hotel on Main Street.

My favorite horse, Teddie, was a little lonely after a few days by himself in his new digs. But then . . . .

. . . one of the Island’s best-known horses, McGuyver, returned and is in the corral that ajoins Teddie’s. Here Neil, McGuyver’s new caretaker, gets him all harnessed up for his first outing. This photo doesn’t show it very well, but all of McGuyver’s bridle and harness had been shined up to almost a mirror finish. He was sparkling!

In a beautiful carriage, Neil and his wife drove McGuyver off into the mellowing sun of a lazy afternoon.

I think I’ll stop right here for the day, as this is already pretty long (don’t want my “read-it-with-coffee-before-I-dash-off-to- work” bunch to be late)!

After only 14 days on the Island, I’ve already changed my mind about two blogs a week.   I will definitely add another one on Wednesday (there’s just too much to write about right now), and I already have plans for the one this Wednesday!

1. More photos from the weekend, including Memorial Day observances.
2. A new Mystery Spot
3. A few of my readers’ own  favorite and most spectacular Mackinac Island photographs!  Keep those coming, by the way, so we can make that a weekly feature.  Just email to brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com.
4. A little feature about nature’s “Circle of Life” – straight from the shores of Mackinac Island!
5. . . . and who knows what else!

Before I close, I have to take care of one more mission . . . .

When I retired in 2008, Ted bought me a Canon PowerShot A530 digital camera.  As Public Information Director for a 16,000+ school system in south Georgia, I was used to using a Canon that belonged to the system and wanted one like it.  I probably snapped maybe 50 shots with it that first year.  We bought our condo that year, but arrived in late June to close on it, and I spent most of the summer shopping for our “summer place”.  Photography was not on my priority list.  Then three weeks before we left for the island the second summer, the blog idea erupted like wildfire in my brain.  That little Canon became a constant companion, and I can honestly say I’ve taken hundreds of thousands of photographs with it.  It never let me down – even after I’d dropped it too many times to count on Cadotte Hill as I was biking downtown.

The end came our first day back this summer – holding the camera, with the lens already out, and trying to take a photo and talk on the phone at the same time.  Camera drops on fireplace hearth, lens bends into sickening angle.  Even though I could straighten the lens, it no longer worked.

I’ve often talked about my camera search on this blog – knowing that eventually my little Canon would sigh and say “enough”.  I knew there were no more Canons with viewfinders in the “point and shoot” category for less than $600 – and, besides that, those  definitely did not fit in my jeans pocket.

A chance comment by someone at the Pink Pony a couple of weekends ago turned into the solution.  I was admiring this gentleman’s camera and told him the story of my search.  He said, “Why don’t you try to find one like your old one  on eBay or Amazon?”  Eureka!  I almost ran home to get on the laptop.

Yes, there were used Canon PowerShot A 530’s for sale, but none in better than “good” condition.  So I went up a few notches.  There was a “like new” Canon PowerShot A700 – almost the same size, more features, AND A VIEWFINDER.  These were first made in 2006, and I have no idea when they quit making them or how old this particular camera is.    I paid less than half of the original camera cost.  It arrived two days later in the original box with owner’s manuals, cables, and an unused SD card.

My sweet old camera on the left, my “like new” camera on the right.

All the photographs on this post were taken with the new camera, and I’m pretty pleased.  There are a couple of things I haven’t figured out yet, but I will eventually, AND additional lens can be attached to this camera for more photography options.  Those are available on eBay and Amazon also.

Brooks Atkinson said, “The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to tranform the photographer into an artist, but the impulse it gives him to keep on looking.”  That is exactly the way I see it also.  Having a camera in my hand automatically sets my brain on “search” and causes me to look at the simplest object in countless ways.  What fun it is to see how many ways a flower, or a horse, or a tree, or a dog, or a barn, or a fence can be photographed!

See you Wednesday with more news from Mackinac!

Kaleidoscope 9/2/2011

We have a winner for the Mystery Spot Contest!  She’s Fran Wenhold from Tallahassee, Florida.  Wow, Fran, that’s quite a ways from Michigan!  Please see the end of this post for the answer.

It’s September.  How can that possibly be?  We left Georgia over 16 weeks ago, and 8 or 9 weeks from now, we’ll be heading back.  They say as you grow older, time goes faster, and I’m beginning to believe that.  At least our time on the Island certainly does.  So much has happened away from the Island while we’ve been gone.  The biggest news is our daughter, her husband, and our grandchildren have moved from Arkansas back to Florida.  What a blessing that is!  For the first time since our grandchildren were born, we’ll be able to see them a lot more often.  Suddenly, watching Jordan’s dance recitals and Matthew’s ballgames isn’t out of the question anymore.  We have so much to look forward to when we return home.  But that’s still a ways off . . . and I confess to not being ready to leave just yet.  Fall on Mackinac Island just may be my favorite season here.

We’re beginning to feel a little nip in the air – especially in the evening.  Windows that have been open all summer sometime require closing in the middle of the night.  My fleece vest has been dusted off and worn a couple of times – early in the morning, or on trips up the hill after dark.  The days are still warm and wonderful, but the change is coming.  You can just feel it.

I think I’m going to continue with my Random Photo Day on Fridays for a while.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it last week, and I love using the pics I can’t find another spot for.  So, here’s the batch for this week!

One of the sights I never tire of is glancing up and seeing a wedding carriage approaching. As I walked home on Cadotte the other day, I met this one. The bride and groom were graciously sharing their carriage with two little flower girls, who looked as if they were already blissfully planning their own weddings on Mackinac Island.

A moment in time on Cadotte -carriages, bikes, walkers, burleys, a little horse poop, and always - the lake through the trees.

The plants and flowers in the huge containers that surround the rest stop on Cadotte are at their peak. There is always a breeze in that area, so the tall grasses are in constant motion.

Trinity Church at dusk.

I went home a different way today, walking my bike up Fort Hill. I had been meaning to stop by Trinity and take some photos to go with the one above. So today I parked my bike up the hill a ways, then walked back down to the church. The door to the sanctuary was partially open, and standing outside on the top step, I could just see one of the stained glass windows on the inside.

The tall window at the back of the church is topped with a brilliant sun rising out of the water.

Trinity's Parish Hall, so lovely with its beautiful new blue-painted porch.

A slightly different view of the fort - taken from around the corner of the church, looking back up.

Ted and I ate lunch yesterday with Hilde and Bud, and we had so much fun talking about Mackinac. Today, Jill and I met Anne (another blog reader) and her mother, Dee for lunch. Ann used to work on the Island "back in the day" with Jill, and they had a blast telling stories. You can see where Anne gets her beauty - her Mom is a lovely, lovely lady.

A plant doesn't have to always be colored brilliantly to be beautiful. These ornamental cabbages at the Grand are striking in their own way . . . .

. . . but I have to admit I really, really, really love color!

That’s my kaleidoscope of random shots for this week.  I’m not going to post this weekend, but I’m definitely going to be working on the blog.  I got my permissions today to publish the Soo Locks story, so for the next day or two, I will be writing that story and selecting the best photos. On Monday, I’ll be taking you on a tour of a real freighter – the inside story!  And then on Tuesday – the Soo Locks as very few have seen them.  I’m so excited you’ll get to see everything Ted, Barb, and I did – thanks to Jim Deemer, an electrician for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who conducted our tour and gave us the inside “scoop”!

See you Monday!

P.S.  As I was finishing this post, I heard the sound of a vehicle going by  Living in the Village as we do, where there are a couple of elderly residents with health problems, we probably see or hear that emergency vehicle more than most do on the island.  The sound of an “engine” always pulls me out of my chair like a magnet, to peek through blinds or walk out on the deck to see what’s happening.  It’s usually the ambulance going further up into the Village, lights on and flashing.  Tonight though, it was a firetruck passing by on the road below us.  The lights were flashing, but they moved on out of sight, and I never saw any other vehicles following them.  I wonder if they’re testing the new truck.  When I opened the door to look out, the wind was blowing and the air was damp and cool.  A change is definitely coming.

THE MYSTERY SPOT

The object of the Mystery Spot  is to be the first to identify where the object is located. When you think you have the answer, email me at brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com. I’ll check my email several times a day, and as soon as we have a winner, I’ll post the winner’s name at the top of this blog so you can stop guessing, AND I’ll post the full photo of the mystery spot at the bottom of the blog with the answer. Is there a prize for the winner – yes there is; but the prize is secret, and the only ones who will know what it is are the winners. To be fair, I’m asking residents of Mackinac Island to please NOT guess. This is just for readers who don’t live here . . . but would like to! And the Mystery Spot is . .

Where is it?

Don’t forget to email your answer to me at brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com.  Please do not answer in the comment section.

MYSTERY SPOT ANSWER

This fish weathervane stands above the Officers' Quarters, where the Fort Tea Room is now located. If you REALLY looked hard, you could have spotted it in the photo in this post of the fort I shot from the corner of Trinity Church!

Oh Happy Day! 8/16/2011

Wow, were we ever busy at the Stuart House Museum today.  Someone said it was because school was starting everywhere in a couple of weeks, so parents are trying to fit in a few more days of vacation.  Sure am glad DeAna Tretinik (a blog fan) remembered I was working on Monday this week!

Meet DeAna, with son Trace and husband Shawn. They are from Commerce Township, MI and will be on the island for a few days - staying at the Inn on Mackinac.

I don’t think I’ve even mentioned this (and I can’t believe I haven’t), but on Tuesday evening at 8:58 p.m. I will be in Pellston picking up my favorite youngest son from the airport.  Blake is flying in from Ft. Collins, CO to spend a week with us here on the island.  We haven’t seen him since he moved out there in February, and we are excited!

I’m too busy getting ready for Blake’s visit to write anything that makes sense tonight, so I’m just going to post a few pretty pics.  I would put all of these in the “splendor” category . . . except the last one.

Buckets of beauties line the floor of Margaret's Garden, the Grand Hotel Flower Shop.

The perennial gardens at the Grand are absolutely awesome this season.

It amazes me that a month-and-a-half ago these plants were about 2" high. Now some are taller than I am!

All this beauty doesn't come without some human intervention - lots of man/woman hours have gone into these gardens!

And finally . . . a touch of wonder.

I have no idea if I’ll get something posted for Wednesday since it will be late when we get back on the island Tuesday night (we’ll be catching the last boat back at 10:30, which means we won’t make it to the condo until 11:30 or after).  So, if you don’t see me here Wednesday morning, I’ll be back on Thursday!

So excited!

Aimless Aiming 9/10/2010

I love Thursdays.  That’s the day I get to look through my camera memory card and pick and choose from hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of photos I’ve taken over the last week that don’t fit into any particular category.  These are pictures that happened because I saw something interesting and had my camera handy to capture it – totally spur of the moment photography.  If I kept my camera in its case – deep inside my purse, I would never get these shots.  Too much trouble!  But I have taken to either squeezing my caseless camera into my pants pocket (making sure the pocket is deep enough – my camera hit the pavement last week at 25 mph as I biked down Cadotte, simply because my jean capris have very shallow pockets) or the pocket of my jacket or sweater. In one simple motion, I can take the camera out of my pocket, turn it on, aim, shoot, turn it off, and slip it back into my pocket – 15 seconds tops!  Well, unless what originally drew my eye continues to be interesting from another angle.

Below are photos shot this week – mostly downtown and up Cadotte around the Grand Hotel.  Enjoy!

The world of Mackinac Island - over the shoulder of the carriage driver.

 

The Visitors Center, where Ted was working today, is getting a new coat of paint. After Labor Day, when crowds are smaller, maintenance begins on buildings all over the island. There is a small window of opportunity to get the work done before the weather is too cold, and the snow drifts are too high.

 

A private carriage tour horse gets a mid-afternoon treat from his driver.

This flower planter runs the entire width of Doud's market. No one has told it yet that fall is here, and summer is over.

A Grand Hotel omnibus driver chats with his passengers in the street beside the Arnold dock.

Nancy, an island friend and hostess at the Seabiscuit Cafe, stands at the entrance to the restaurant.

Things are slowing down on the streets. Moms and dads have returned home to put children in school. Next to come will be parents with pre-school children and retirees eager to see beautiful Michigan in the Fall.

The roofline of a lovely home across the street from the boardwalk.

Windemere Point on the west end of town. Visitors can sit at picnic tables and watch the ferries and freighters come and go.

Fall has a way of making the most simple scene into something astonishing. The light is just different - turning clouds into skyscapes.

The color of this tree is different than it was last week. Summer is slipping out of its green dress and preparing to slip on the carnival colors of Fall.

Will I ever tire of photographing Round Island Light? No.

A flower garden spotted through a white picket fence.

Monarch butterflies were everywhere today. I've never seen so many anywhere that I've ever lived. Are they migrating through Michigan right now?

A Shepler's Ferry races to the island to pick up daytrippers and carry them back to the mainland . . .

. . . a moment later its route took it parallel to a freighter, giving another perspective of the enormity of those ships.

A single, perfect hollyhock . . .

. . . stands guard over the Straits of Mackinac.

A tiny hint of color in the Grand Hotel shade garden.

A view of Cadotte from under the trees in front of the Grand.

The setting sun kisses the tops of the trees at Surrey Hill.

My favorite photo of the week. This sweet little senior couple was sitting on the boardwalk bench, watching the sun's play on the water. In the lady's lap were several types of fudge, spread out on a napkin, and they were taking turns feeding each other the samples. So dear I almost cried.

As I was about to publish the blog Thursday evening, I received three photographs from Mary of The Grand Hotel.  She photographed these Monarch butterflies in the Burroughs lot (between the Grand and the Island school) yesterday afternoon.  Totally awesome!

 

 

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!  I hope that some of our cooler weather is reaching down into the southern part of the U.S. by now.  If so, I know you’ll all be out enjoying it!  Stay safe, and I’ll see you back right here on Monday morning, good Lord willing.  God bless.

A Ride on the Wild Side of Mackinac Island 8/31/2010

Before the traffic jam incident I wrote of yesterday, I took a wonderful two-hour bike ride around Mackinac Island.  Starting out, my only thought was to photograph anything that caught my eye, but it soon became more of an adventure into the wildness of this 8.2 mile-around rock.  The part of the island where we spend most of our time is very civilized.  Like most small towns in America, we have a grocery store, a city hall, churches, homes, a medical center, and a fire department.  We don’t have an auto repair shop, a gas station, a car dealership, or a car wash because – well, we don’t have any cars!  To me that makes the Island more civilized, not less.  But – that’s just me. 

The only place I stopped that is on the “must see” list of attractions for island visitors is Arch Rock.  I loved the way the sun was shining through the arch as I rode by.

Try to forget about that brilliant sun in the corner, and just look at the rays shining over and through the arch. It was beautiful!

Soon the city of Mackinac Island was a mile behind me, and now there was nothing to see on Lake Huron except Bois Blanc Island (pronounced Bob-Lo by the locals) and even further east the faint outline of Les Cheneaux Islands.  Not a single freighter was in sight.  It was a dazzling day – warm enough that I was riding in a sleeveless top, but with enough breeze to keep me cool, even when there were no trees to block the sun.  The only clouds were those little white, wispy puffs of cotton, and the sky and water were almost a perfectly matched blue.  

By squinching up my eyes, I could just make out a sailboat on the horizon. It looked so small that the possibility of people aboard seemed almost absurd.

There are very few houses on the beachside of the island and not that many more across the street from the beach.  When you ride the four miles to British Landing, all you see to your right are trees, wildflowers, rocks and water.  On your left are woods and a couple of marshes.  You really feel as though you could be the only person riding on the whole island at any particular moment.  After Labor Day, that perception will intensify.  It’s a feeling of freedom and joy that never fails to touch my heart. 

The wall of rocks that stretches around the island is quiet evidence of a time when lake levels were much higher than they are now.

I had a conversation early Saturday morning with a friend in Charlotte, NC who reads Bree’s Blog and encourages me on every level to continue writing.  He is from Michigan, has spent many glorious days on Mackinac Island, and on Saturday was lamenting the hot weather in the South.  His exact words were, “I wish I was on the Island so I could sit on a rock on the shore of Lake Huron and put my feet into that clear, cool water”.  I had been thinking about that all morning, and as I rode I began to look for a spot with an open bit of beach and some rocks close to the water. 

Almost to British Landing and four miles out of town, I spotted this solitary rock perched like a turtle by the water.

I pulled over, took my camera out of the basket, and began to carefully climb down the rocks to the beach. You can see my bike handlebars in the center of this photo. Believe me, I was being very, very careful!

I grew up going to the beaches on the Florida Panhandle, and they are nothing like this.

Grateful to have navigated over the rocks, I plunked myself down on the rock, pulled off my shoes, and stuck my feet in the water. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be, but the sparkling clearness, as it covered my feet, came as quite a surprise. Looking at rocks through the water from the shore, I've always known the water was clean, but this was beyond clean - almost pure. I would have no qualms at all about drinking this water.

Instead of sand, the beach is made up of tiny pebbles, polished smooth by thousands of years of wave action. Underfoot, the pebbles are not sharp, but watershoes are a good idea.

Seagulls and ducks are plentiful.

I left the beach and continued my ride, passing British Landing and the Cannonball Restaurant without stopping.  In the 4-mile stretch back into town, there are more homes than on the “back side”, but still long sections of road with no buildings of any sort. 

No matter what the season, there are always wildflowers along the shoreroad.

In a history I read online of Stonecliff, I found this notation, " In the fall of 1971, bulldozers went to work to clear swathes of old-growth cedar and other tree life from sections of Mackinac Island's far West Bluff. In early 1972, the cleared strips of bluffland were redesigned into ski slopes, and a chair lift was erected." I've often wondered if this bluff where trees are beginning to take hold again was the location of those ski slopes.

  

This is another section of that bluff, topped by a tree that was probably struck by lighting many, many years ago.

Further down the road from those bluffs is a section of road where thick forests line the left side of the road . . .

. . . and the clear blue water of Lake Huron can be seen through the trees on the right.

When you come out of the trees, there is the Mackinac Bridge, heralding your return once again to civilization.

I pulled over to watch these two Star ferries on a seeming collision course toward each other. Of course, I knew there was plenty of room for them to pass, and it was just the angle that made their courses look so close.

A few seconds later, the pass was complete. One continued to the Island, the other to St. Ignace.

I continued on into town, my date with a traffic jam just a few minutes away. . . . .

On Tuesday, I’m spending the day in Charlovoix with Frankie, a friend from the Island.  She wants to show me the sights of this little city that sits on an isthmus between Lake Michigan and Round Lake, spreading out onto the shores of Lake Charlovoix.  It promises to be a wonderful day of sightseeing and (maybe) shopping.  Because I have no idea what time we’ll be back, I’m going to go ahead and say there won’t be a blog post on Wednesday, but I promise to show you all the sights of Charlovoix on Thursday morning.  See you then!