Independence Day

It's always a good day when Fort Mackinac flies the Garrison Flag. 

It's a big flag - 38 feet by 20 feet (11.5 meters by 6 meters) - that's only flown when the conditions are perfect. It's so big, it takes quite a few scouts to fold it. (When you see it with people for scale, you get the true feel for just how huge the Garrison Flag really is!) I'm not in the photo below, but I came to Mackinac with Troop 327 as part of the Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp, for five summers.

Camping at Brevoort Lake

We spent last weekend camping at Brevoort Lake, which is in Brevort, Michigan. I have no idea why the lake has two letter Os, while the city only has one, but it was a beautiful place to spend the weekend. Hands down, my favorite part was listening to the loons in the morning. 

I don't think I posted about it, but last year we bought a Hiker Trailer from some friends who had outgrown it. Owning a teardrop camper had been a dream of Allen's for a while and when opportunity knocked, we jumped.  We've been trying to camp, at least once a month, to get a feel for it and learn what gear we need and what we can live without.

I've really enjoyed getting to explore places close to home. Northern Michigan is such a lovely place, and there are so many places, like Brevoort Lake, that I've never gotten to see. 

Visiting

I've taught on Mackinac Island for 32 years now. (Dear Lord, how can I be old enough to say that?!) I worked with Karen for about fifteen of those years, until she retired and moved to Florida. Now, every summer she and her family return to Mackinac for a week or two.

Each summer we make a point to meet at the Watercolor Cafe, at least once, for a cup of coffee and a poppie. We spent several hours enjoying the breeze and catching up. It was a lovely way to spend a morning! One of our favorite things about the Watercolor Cafe is it was started by one of our former students. One of the best parts of my job is getting to see former students leading happy, successful lives.

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, 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.

This Week in the Garden

Flowers tend to bloom a wee bit later on Mackinac Island, so my peonies have only recently opened. I don't always appreciate how floppy they are in the garden, but I love how they look (and smell) when I bring them into the house. They look perfect in my Great Aunt Ruth's Waterford vase.

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.