Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Short Getaway to "The Island"






We have had such a cool and rainy autumn this year. Yet the trees have turned fabulous colors.
My husband and I decided that regardless of the weather, we would go to Mackinac Island for an overnight getaway at the Cloghaun B & B. As luck would have it, we were there the only two sunny days in a stretch of gloom. It was a delightful visit. The afternoon "tea" and the breakfast fare was above and beyond anything we'd ever had before at B & Bs. Highly recommended!

Mackinac Island is situated in the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron "meet" or join, if you will. In 1670 a Jesuit priest wintered on the island. The British in 1781 made it a center of their military and fur-trade activity. The island was occupied by the Americans in 1796. Held by the British during the War of 1812, it became the hub of Astor's fur empire after 1817. Mackinac Island was already becoming a popular resort when fur trading declined during the 1830's. The Michigan governor's summer retreat is here.

Arriving by ferry, one immediately realizes no motorized vehicles are allowed on the island which makes for a very peaceful vacation. Bikes are for rent. Carriage rides and horseback-riding are offered. It's a beautiful escape to another era. I've included photos of the Grand Hotel, a retired Coast Guard ice-cutter which is now a museum & the Cloghaun B & B.

3 comments:

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It sounds wonderful there! You are lucky to have such nice tree color...ours ours just beginning ti change.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

What a beautiful place to spend the weekend!
♥, Susan

Cervini Haas Fine Art said...

Coghaun B&B is definitely a treat - located just one block off the main drag, it's lovely! When Will and I stayed there, we of course missed breakfast, but the thoughtful host left the coffee on for us knowing that's just what we'd need!