When Jason learned he had an opportunity to take a seminar held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, he realized it was a great chance to learn some stuff while giving me a special treat. Staying at The Grand, you see, has been a pipe dream of mine since my parents brought me to Mackinac Island as a wee thing. At something like $400 a night, it was going to stay that way ... until the wonder of corporate training dropped a boon on our doorstep.
Liza wasn't sure how much of a boon it was during the car ride up there, though.
We were doubly lucky to have access to a cabin in Mackinaw City that belong's to Jason's sister's husband's family (that makes them, what? my in-laws-squared?). While we waited for the family to return to the cabin, we killed some time at the ferry dock checking things out in advance of our voyage. Meanwhile, Jason made a cool discovery ... you don't see to many DeLoreans sitting in parking lots, even in Cleveland.
That afternoon we met with the Hathaways, and Liza especially enjoyed playing on their Lake Huron beach with the youngest of the grandchildren visiting this week.
One branch of the family brought their pet lizard with them - guess it's hard to find a lizard-sitter for weeks at a time - and it was really friendly to everyone but me. Apparently I'm evil, as far as lizards are concerned.
After dinner we went out to the cabin the Hathaways loaned us, just in time for the sunset.
Liza wasn't about to let a little thing like fading light keep her from checking out the beach.
Meanwhile I was taking advantage of the view from the living room.
The next morning we did some serious shell-hunting (better selection that at our beach on Lake Erie).
We braved the chilly - but very shallow - and super-clear waters of Lake Michigan.
Liza added onto the existing complex of sand castles and giant beach holes with her walled, moated, humpbacked island of awesomeness.
I supervised.
This is my kind of beach - empty, shallow, and cold enough to wear a sweatshirt over my swimsuit. Perfect!
By lunchtime we were ready to pack up and head for the island, which I'll have to post about tomorrow, as it's getting to be bedtime now. In the meantime, thanks again to the Hathaways for their stupendous hospitality to virtual strangers. You guys rock!
1 comment:
For those of us who have never heard of the Mackinac, much less who have longed for decades for a long road trips to the Mackinac, I would love to hear what makes the island special.
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