Poetic Visions of Mackinac 2025

The exhibit of student Mackinac-inspired art and poetry opened today. And, I've got to say - their framed watercolor paintings look amazing! (Full disclosure, I did edit out the name from the painting above since I promised parents I would not use any student names on my blog.)

One of my students won first place for her painting "Secret Caves."

Just look at that art!

A huge thank you to the Mackinac Arts Council, the judges, and to Mission Point Resort for making this show possible. If you happen to be on the Island before the end of August, pop on down to Mission Point to check out the show. In my opinion it's well worth the walk.

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty Five

I love this view. If you leave the Village, heading toward the Governor's Summer Residence walking on Cupid's Pathway, you will see this lilac tree just as you come out of the woods.

Yesterday's deluge did a number on the Island's lilacs. The were nearing the end of their blooming cycle anyway and we certainly needed to rain, although not quite that much! 

Dang

Mackinac Island got just a little bit of rain today. OK, more than just a little bit - we got about two inches (about 5 cm) of rain in just under an hour. There was so much water so quickly the sanitary sewer was overwhelmed. You are looking at a manhole cover; a 90 pound (about 40 kg) manhole cover being pushed up by the water. Normally, that manhole cover is flush with the level of the street. Dang, that's a lot of water!

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty Four

Many people don't realize just how quiet and peaceful Mackinac Island can be. It's all about finding the  right spot - and getting out of downtown. Once you leave the downtown area, you be surprised at how few people you'll see.

Disclaimer: I did not take this photo today. It poured today - we got two inches of rain in an hour.

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty Three

This lilac tree is in "the Village" - the part of Mackinac where most of the year-round residents live. No Victorian cottages, no lake views; just a normal looking neighborhood for hardworking people. If you want to take a peek at the Village, head to Grand Hotel, and then keep walking up the hill. Or, take a walking tour with Chad. He'll happily show you around.

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty Two

I laid on the ground and looked up at the sky to take this picture. I think it is one of my favorite lilac pictures. Which one do you like best?

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty One

Years ago I somehow managed to get a tour of this house. (It had been completely redone at that point.) The thing that stood out most to me was the level of the windows up in the turret. It's beautiful from the outside, but from the inside, I couldn't look out the windows when seated. I decided if it was my house, I'd just enjoy my morning coffee on the front porch...

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty

I just love this house. Once, back when I worked at the Fort, the owners let the Crafties (the women who worked at the Fort) inside so we could take pictures up on the Widow's Walk. Back then, the house was called "Donnybrook," but I noticed the name plate has been taken down.

A Lilac a Day, Day Ninteen

A Lilac a Day, Day Eighteen

Even though white lilacs aren't my favorite, by neighbor's tree looks beautiful this year.