Day 7--we had some visitors

Day 7 (July 8th) (Tuesday) started off a little rainy, but we still had big plans.  After breakfast Marcus and I walked into town and did some sight-seeing across the island, then we went back to the hotel to rest up for some visitors.  Erica, Mary, and Justin were bringing Bunny, James, and Mariposa (and baby Violet) for a visit!  We were SO happy that my sisters could do this, because we really wanted to show the kids Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel.

Marcus having steak again, for breakfast.

We started our walk but I was feeling funny after all that food
(my pregnant self wants to REST while digesting a big meal)
so we stopped at a pub to escape the drizzle.

Back on our walk.  Beer delivery.

We made it uphill and a mile over to Arch Rock.

There is a bike/walking path that goes around the island
(see it near the shore?).  It's about 8 miles around.  We didn't
bike around this trip, but we did in the past.

Here comes the boat with our visitors!!

We first walked up to show them the beautiful cottages and
the view from the top of the island.

Then we made a pit stop at our room, and had a fudge snack.

Next we toured the Grand.  The game room was fun.

Walking down around the gardens.

Getting our exercise in after all that fudge.

But then we were hungry, so we needed more fudge!

After sightseeing and tchotchke-buying, it was time for dinner
--we found a great all-you-can-eat pizza place.

Then Marcus and I enjoyed another fantastic dinner
in the Grand Hotel's dining room.

For our final dinner at the Grand:  Crispy Shrimp Spring Roll with Jicama and Peach-Chili Sauce, Lobster Bisque with Crayfish and Sherry, Farm Bread Salad, and Berkshire Pork Tenderloin and Smoked Pork Belly with Taleggio Cheese Grits and Pomegranate Molasses.  Marcus had Fois Gras Torchon with Madeira Aspic, Brioche, and Perigord Truffle Sauce, the bisque and the salad, and Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib with Vidalia Onion Rings and Cabernet Sauce.  And dessert of course.

Day 6--at the Grand

Day 6 (July 7th) of our trip was Marcus and my first full day at the Grand Hotel.  It was great being able to spend 3 nights (THANKS mom and dad for watching the kids!!!) because we could really explore the island and still have time to relax.

The Grand Hotel is over 100 years old--I guess
they didn't have levels when they build it.  ;o)

Actually, the Grand Hotel was build in just 93 days and is one of the only remaining timber-constructed hotels/resorts left.  There used to be hundreds in the US.  Because of the incredible speed of the construction process, crews worked in shifts 24 hours a day, and where one shift left off, the next would start...even if the last work done wasn't plumb or perfect.  Hence the sloping stairs and the step-up into some rooms.  :o)

Breakfast--included juice, smoothie, pastry basket,
cereal, choice of fruit, choice of egg (with sides),
AND an "entree!"

 At this point I should mention that Marcus intended on getting steak for each of his meals (breakfast and dinner) while at the Grand Hotel.  For breakfast he got the steak and eggs.  With all the sides. And some pastries.  And raisin bran for regularity.  ;o)  And juice and a smoothie.  Can you believe that they served Marionberry smoothies?  (marionberries are from the Pacific NW!)

I forgot to mention that there are no motorized
vehicles on the island...only horses, bikes, and feet.

Part of our anniversary package was a 1-hour private carriage
tour.  We wanted to see the residential interior of the island
and hear about the year-round and summer residents.

After our carriage ride, and around lunchtime, we went
downtown (5 minute walk) and bought some fudge and
souvenirs.   Mac. Island is famous for fudge.

The main street (looks very similar to 100 years ago).

Back at the hotel for a quick nap before spa time.  Can you
see the Mackinac Bridge?

A view of our room, crazy decor.

Marcus waiting in the very pink-ness of the
spa, for his massage (I got a manicure).

Still full from breakfast, we just had a little picnic on the porch
around 4pm.  We used the brie, crackers, and fruit from our
anniversary package basket.

We took a walk before dinner, up to see our favorite houses
that are just uphill from the Hotel.

Dinner was just as fabulous as the night before.  I had: French Escargot with Parsley-Garlic Butter, Swiss Cheese and Grilled Onion Soup, Iceberg Lettuce with Tomatoes, Golden Beets, and Bermuda Onions, and Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb.  Marcus had Shrimp and Scallop Cocktail with Beluga Lentils and Green Chile Aioli, the soup and the salad, and Herb-Garlic Rubbed Prime Rib with Sea Salt Baked Potato and Bacon Marmalade.  And then dessert.  Whew!

Day 5--Mackinac get-away

Day 5 (July 6th) was the first day of our Mackinac Island get-away!!!

Marcus had stayed at the Grand Hotel with my parents and me when we were first married but before kids.  Dad was part of a banker's organization, and the annual conference was at the Grand.  He didn't attend every year, but when he did go, he would try to bring some kids along to show us how special the Hotel and island are.  And they are!!!  So Marcus always kept those memories with him, and vowed to come back some day, just the two of us.  This was the perfect summer...no nursing baby, all the kids old enough to be left with grandma and grandpa, and my sister Mary now living up north.  So we were So. Excited. to make this our year!!!

Marcus on the ferry to the island--you can
see me waving in his glasses reflection  :o)

The kids were studying the nautical flag alphabet--any idea
what these flags say??  I think they were on the Coast Guard ice cutter.

leaving port--Mackinac Bridge

View from our room--we couldn't believe it!  We did pay
extra for a lakeview room, but to get a BALCONY was very
very special!!!

Part of our anniversary package included High Tea in the parlor.
The decor of the hotel is crazy, I love it!  Everything was
chosen by Carleton Varney, famous decorator.

champagne, little tea sandwiches, tea

we each got a sweets plate as well

relaxing on the World's Longest Front Porch

We took a tour of the grounds after High Tea.

I'm pointing to our room....

Next we walked up the road to look at all the "summer
cottages" (which are actually mansions!).

When we got back, our goodies from our
anniversary package were waiting for us.

Pre-dinner drinks in the Cupola Bar at the
top of the hotel.  (Weather was a little misty
but we still had a great panoramic view.)

As you can see, we got dressed up for dinner.  It is a rule at the hotel!  Men have to wear a jacket and tie, and women preferably in a dress or nice pantsuit.  So that is why Marcus couldn't fit everything in a carry-on.... :o)  Dinner is a 5-course affair, all gourmet and delicious.  There are up to 5 choices per course, and it was REALLY hard to decide what to get each night!  On this first night I ordered: sparkling Michigan raspberry juice, Vidalia onion-gruyere tart, wild mushroom and leek soup, spinach salad, and baked Mackinac whitefish with roasted marble potatoes, fava bean succotash, and kafir lime sauce.  Marcus had poached mexican white shrimp, chilled parsnip-celery veloute (soup), spinach salad, and herb crusted beef medallion/buffalo bolognese with parmesan polenta, root vegetables, and porcini sauce.  All amazing!!

Dessert was great as well!  Famous Hot Fudge
Pecan Ball, yum....

Day 4--local activities

Day 4 (July 5th)--we did some sight-seeing around town.  First was the NOAA museum which was super-cool for the kids, but I put my camera away for the most part and just enjoyed it with them.  So no pics from inside.  Outside we got to see some boats including a glass-bottom boat for shipwreck tours, and a "tall ship" which was really neat. I don't know a lot about it...but it was the "tallest" of the "tall ships" which I believe are replicas of old boats?  Anyone know?  Here's a link that might explain more.

viewing the glass-bottom tour boat

We went to Mass on Saturday night since Marcus
and I had to leave early on Sunday for our
Mackinac Island get-away.

Gemma slept through the whole Mass (look at
those comfy pews!!) and a nice old lady put a
dollar bill in her hand.  :o)

After Mass we went to dinner at Auntie Mary/Uncle Justin's house (the CCs).  They have this BEAUTIFUL old house on a nice street, great lot, etc. and of course lots of toys!  The kids loved playing outside in the sand box with their cousins...and with my cousins as well!

Sedric is in time-out...probably for throwing sand.

The dogs are hoping that Uncle Joe is grilling
meat...not yet, the sausages had to be grilled
after the veggies....  House rule.  ;o)

Day 3, Part 2-- Fourth of July

Day 3 (July 4th)--a full day of fun!!!

After breakfast we gathered at the CCs house.  Here the girls
are entertaining Violet with plastic bags.  :o)

Meeting up with Bob and Sue K, my parents' old neighbors
when they lived up in Alpena the 1st time.

parade time

Mom got some toilet paper!  People in the
parade were also handing out otter pops and
Mountain Dew.  :o)

Marcus fit right in with his 3-wolf shirt (with American flag!),
camo shorts, and John Deere hat.  No ponytail, though.  And
his Maui Jims and Nikes were a little too stylish for Alpena.

Sedric taking a little snoozer

lunch at grandma and grandpa's

We walked down to Lake Huron to cool off
(although the temperature was PERFECT, not
hot at all, but still great for wading).

There was a big sand sculpture contest going on, and Uncle
Justin had an entry--he got 4th place out of 30!  Wow!

Back at gma & gpa's--our 4th of July gang including Aunt
Christine, Uncle Brian, Austin, and Evan from downstate.

the cousins (minus the K family, they came a few days later)

Gemma loves Uncle Joe.

We met up again with Bob and Sue near the lake,
to watch fireworks.  Sue made some great cupcakes!

The young kids plus Erica stayed with gma/gpa and watched
the fireworks from the back yard.  This picture shows everyone
else who went to the park near Lake Huron.

Bunny watching the fireworks.