Boats!

The boats started running yesterday - hooray!

Allen and I were lamenting not being able to get to the mainland to see Project Hail Mary in the theater and then, surprise - the boats started up again. We were thrilled! We both read the book and had been really looking forward to the movie. Living on Mackinac Island makes seeing movies a bit of a challenge. We often have to wait for them to stream, but this was one of those movies we knew would be better on the big screen.

I was super worried they would change many of the parts of the book I loved, but thankfully the film remained pretty darn true to the book. There were changes of course, but not so many or so large as to ruin it. (I'm sadly remembering the film version of Ready Player One here.) It would have been better as an eight-part miniseries, but overall I enjoyed it. And, because we had boats, we were able to pop over for the night, see my mom, pick up some much needed groceries, and catch the movie. 

If you are a sci-fi fan, a science nerd, or a science teacher I highly recommend the book!

Done

It was cold on Mackinac today; so cold we had to have indoor recess. That doesn't happen all that often, but when it happens at the same time the ferry boat announces they "will resume service when conditions allow," we start to get our hopes up. Every one of us is quietly wondering - will we get an ice bridge this year?

Long time island residents tend not to talk about the ice bridge much - we don't want people to think that we encouraged anyone to go out onto the ice. Each and every time anyone ventures out there they are risking their lives, so please know: even though I may talk about looking forward to an ice bridge, my choosing to cross the ice should never be taken as an assurance that it's safe - it isn't. 

Watching

Sometimes I catch myself watching tourists. It's not in a creepy stalker way, I promise; it's more of a trying-to-see-things-through-their-eyes kind of watching. I try to catch their sense of wonder and excitement as they get their first glimpse of the Island. I don't want Mackinac to ever seem mundane to me. I know I'm incredibly lucky to get to live here.

Last week I ended up taking a slow boat, sorry, "Classic Ferry" to the Island after dropping my daughter back at work after her doctor's appointment. As I was lamenting the extra 15 minutes the ride was going to take, I caught this couple coming over to the Island for the first time. They were so excited when the ferry got close enough for them to see Grand Hotel, and just adorable taking selfies with the Island in the background.

Did you know it's cheaper to come to the Island via Arnold Line's Classic Ferry? Those tickets are only $23.00, compared to $36.00 for the faster ferry. Plus, since the Classic ferry only departs from St, Ignace, you get to drive across the Mackinac Bridge. For people traveling with a big group, saving $13.00 on each adult ticket will really add up! That cheaper price is only in effect when the faster ferries are running.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours  a peaceful (and warm)

Christmas from Mackinac Island.