Dinner at Mackinac

Glamma's Photos from Mackinac Island

Click on the photo to see all of Glamma's photos from Mackinac, plus a few birthday photos.

Back Home Again

We made it back from a wonderful vacation last night around 8pm. Sorry for the lapse in posting the second half of vacation. It wasn't quite as easy to update the blog while at the Grand Hotel. We had such a nice time at the Grand and the most beautiful weather we've ever had, which means lots of trips to the pool and even lunch at the pool grill. Breakfast and dinner were delicious and Sarah and Aaron ordered off the adult menu and tried some new foods.

Here is the link for our vacation photo album from Mary's camera.

Links coming soon from Mom (aka Glamma) and Anna & Cliff's photos.

My favorite activity was riding a tandem around the exterior of the island with Andy in front and Sarah trailing behind in a Burley trailer. The Tresize family did the ride around the Island twice and both times Sarah fell sound asleep in the Burley. Mom made it around the Island in under an hour. Dad rode half the time with the Tresizes and then finished with Mom. Aaron also loved the Burley.
Enjoy!

Aaron's Birthday Continued

We had a great picnic lunch in Marquette Park under a tree and the temperature was just perfect and we overlooked Main St and the marina. After lunch, we had cake back at the hotel and Aaron opened his presents and cards. Aaron and Sarah both had fun with the toys. During naptime, Mom and Mary went over to the library to sit in the rockers and listen to the waves and read some magazines. The men held down the fort. Sarah woke up in time to go to the Beanery for her afternoon snack. Mom tried a new drink, Carmello, and it may replace her mocha! After lunch, Sarah, Andy, and Mary went back to Mission Point to play in the large grassy area then headed back for dinner. To end Aaron's birthday day, we ate outside at the Gate House (at the same table that Aunt Jody & Uncle Dick joined us last year and the year before that Kirsten & David).

It takes too long to upload the photos to the blog site, so I've started an album on Picasa.

Click here for photos.

Tonight, we might enjoy a sunset boardwalk stroll.

Happy 2nd Birthday Aaron!

Here are the two houses you can rent (the house above and the house below)

What better way to celebrate a birthday than being on Mackinac Island. This morning, we headed out to a locally-owned bakery on Main St. for some breakfast around 8am. The owner gave Aaron a big scoop of ice cream with two candles and everyone sang "Happy Birthday." The bakery, Marc's Double Oven Bakery, is a Mackinac Island resident who use to be a pastry chef at the Grand Hotel and now as his retirement open up the bakery last summer. He makes some delicious treats!

After breakfast, Sarah took a snoozer and Andy elected to also relax while Sarah slept. Mom and Mary toured the Governor's Summer Cottage this morning while Dad, Cliff, & Aaron checked out Turtle Park. We also walked by two homes you can rent by the month. One is up by the fort and the other on the East Bluff; both had spectacular views of the Straits of Mackinac but required walking up very big hills. The photo by the gazebo is from the movie Somewhere in Time. Anna had some time to do some shopping and knitting.

Sorry that we didn't have a chance to post yesterday. We got wrapped up in a game of Scrabble after dinner on the porch. I'll try to write about yesterday either during Sarah's afternoon nap or this evening, just having too much fun here:-)

For Aaron's birthday lunch, we're going to go for a picnic. The fog has lifted and it is a warm sunny day here in Mackinac. More photos coming later. We hope everyone is staying cool!!

Tuesday

We made it!

This evening, we are relaxing on our large private veranda at Hotel Iroquois that connects our three rooms enjoying some fresh fudge--a perfect ending to our first day in Mackinac.

Mom & Dad (Greg & Cathy) were the first to the Island and made the 9am ferry (they left Lansing at 5:30am). Cliff, Anna, and Aaron were next and then Andy, Mary, & Sarah took the 11:30am ferry. When Andy, Mary, & Sarah left Mackinaw City, it was pouring down rain so we had to ride below. But, when we arrived on the Island the rain cleared and it turned into a beautiful day. It did rain off and on throughout the day but we still needed our sunglasses for most the day. Mom & Dad and Cliff, Anna, & Aaron all got to ride on the top deck of the ferry. Our boat was packed and the line to board the ferry was so long but we all made it on. Can anyone guess what the first thing we did once we got to the Island? If you guess eat lunch at the Grand Stand, you're right! We all ate outside and enjoyed milk shakes and sandwiches. Sarah loved the giant turtle next to our table.

Next, the babies (or I should say toddlers) were ready for a nap so we went back to the hotel and had some relaxing time. Mary & Mom wanted to explore so we headed out to Main St. to check out the Outfitters, Nephews, Little Luxuries, and a couple other cute stores. As 3:30pm rolled around, it was time for an afternoon mocha so we gathered the troops and headed to J.L. Beanery down by the Marina. Dad stayed back with Sarah since she was still snoozing. We waived to Uncle Dick & Aunt Jody's balcony at the Bayview and wish they could have joined us, along with the rest of you. Aaron stopped at the park next to the fort but there were no baby swings for Sarah so Mom, Sarah, and Mary took a stoll along the East Bluff.

For dinner tonight, we had a wonderful meal (yes, some white fish) at the Gate House. It is nice because there is a toy store next door so after Aaron and Sarah finished their dinner they went next door with Glamma.

A couple new things we noticed on the Island was the library is now painted turquoise and the Beanery closes at 4pm. The most exciting thing was that Aaron found a dead bat on our porch in the sofa! Luckily, the front desk took care of that quickly and we go everything cleaned up. Good night from Mackinac Island!!

Tomorrow: Posting of our beautiful unique rooms

Last photos of the day

Half Way There

We all made it to Lansing, MI this afternoon around 3:30pm today. Sarah loves being at a hotel and enjoyed watching some TV in bed with Mom & Dad while eating her snack. Tonight, dinner at Steak 'n Shake....tomorrow night, dinner at the Gate House. It is pretty quiet around West Lansing. The front desk clerk said this is a spot that people vacation from not to.

Cliff, Anna, & Aaron made it safely to Mackinaw City, MI. They went to a zoo in the U.P. and tried from really good seafood place for lunch and were thinking of going to the park by the bridge after Aaron's nap. Aaron seems to really like the white fish (for good reason up here!).

Tomorrow we hope to make it to the Island for lunch. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather so we can ride up top on the ferry.

HAPPY 4th of JULY!! And hope you're enjoying your long weekend.

Packing

Just one more day until we leave for Mackinac! Sarah and Mom as well as Bon Papa & Glamma have been packed for the last week. Dad will pack soon and probably take the least of anyone. Uncle Cliff, Aunt Anna, & Aaron flew in to Detroit this morning (after a short delay waiting for a plane to arrive without mechanical problems) and will drive up to Mackinaw City, MI to celebrate the 4th of July and then be the first over to the Island on Monday, July 5th.

Last year, we broke up the drive and stayed in Lansing, MI for a night and then drove the rest of the way the next morning. It works out well with Sarah and plus too more time on Mackinac. I have LOTS of snacks packed (for all of us!) in hopes that will keep everyone happy. It looks like the weather forecast is going to be beautiful for the week. We won't be taking our bikes but will rent ones and hopefully a Burley for Sarah. The stroller is a must.


Andy said it the best when I was wondering how Sarah will do on vacation.
Sarah will do great since her two favorite activities are eating and walks (not to mention a few trips to the pool).