A Great Way to Visit
Macinac Island
Early last summer I took a four-day escorted coach trip with five friends to Michigan. We went with Great Canadian Holidays of Kitchener, a company that offers escorted coach tours. You may have seen their vehicles … they are painted with scenes of famous Canadian places or people and, when they stop in the U.S., crowds of people gather around to look at them and chat with the occupants!
We crossed into Michigan at Sarnia via the Blue Water Bridge and drove up to Birch Run, just north of Frankenmuth, our first night's stop, staying at the Comfort Inn. We had time to walk around Frankenmuth - a Bavarian-style town with interesting architecture and shops, including Bronners Christmas Store that attracted some of our group, while I went in search of gifts for a grandson.
The next morning at 10:00 we started the long drive to the north end of the State, crossing a five-mile long suspension bride, said to be the longest in the world. We stopped in Mackinaw City for lunch, with time to look around, then it was on to the Straits of Macinac to stay at a Best Western in St. Ignace. This pleasant property is near the dock for the Shepler's Ferry to Macinac Island, which we were to take on the following morning. But first, on that Saturday evening, we were driven to Kewadin Casino where we were given $20 worth of 25¢ chips and a $10 voucher towards dinner. Even those who don't usually frequent casinos had a good time!
Sunday morning, after breakfast, we were scheduled to take the Shepler's Ferry, a fast 22-minute service to the island, whereas the regular ferry takes an hour. On arrival on Macinac we climbed aboard a big wagon for 25 people, pulled by two enormous Belgian Perchion horses and taken on a two-hour island tour. At the uphill portion we transferred to a three-horse wagon and then, later, back to the two-horse one. The island is motor free - bikes and horses only.
American Indians were the island's first visitors, thought to have been there over 2,000 years ago. They paddled to the island every summer to fish for trout, pike, sturgeon, herring and white fish and they called the island 'home of the fish'. European settlement began in 1671 when Father Jacques Marquette established a mission there. Around 1708, French settlers constructed a depot for Upper Great Lakes fur traders. During the War of 1812 the island was ceded twice to the British, but it ended up with the Americans. Since 1895 Macinac Island State Parks Commission has protected the historical and natural wonders here, an area of about 80% of the island. But elsewhere you'll find more than a dozen shops catering to sweet-tooth visitors … the island's first candy kitchen was opened in 1889, offering hand-dipped chocolates, salt-water taffy and creamy fudge and the industry still thrives today.
The Grand Hotel, built in 1887, is a famous landmark and that is where we enjoyed lunch. Two movies have been made there: one with Ester Williams and Jimmie Durrante in 1947 and the second - A Traveller in Time - starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour in 1979. We enjoyed a good buffet lunch in the hotel and finally sat in their rocking chairs on the 660-foot-long porch. If you do not eat or stay there (prices are from $450 per night) it costs $10 just to step inside the hotel!
Rising from the porch chairs we set out for the Lilac Festival Parade, held late afternoon on the main street. It included Sea Cadets from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and a British Legion Marching band. All the rest were American groups, including Guide Dogs for the Blind, Adopt a Greyhound, local politicians and a senator.
We returned to the mainland for the night and next day were up early for the return trip to Toronto. The
trip, which included transportation, accommodation, three breakfasts, ferries and the Grand Hotel lunch was $625 each, with the six of us accommodated in three twin rooms. We thought the trip was very good value and we had a great time. For details of this and other 'Great Canadian' trips visit www.bigbluecoach.com or call 519 772 4561 and to be tempted to visit Macinac Island log on to www.macinac.com where you'll find some wonderful photographs. Enjoy!
Sheila Kingsley
Toronto, ON
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