To: Terok Nor , Phoenix Inn
        
From: Garry Stahl 
Reply-To: teroknor{at}yahoogroups.com


Well I survived and have returned from the 19th century.  Sue and I as well
as 40 other people either in the Dearborn Community Chorus or spouses of
said people went up to Mackinaw for the weekend.  The Chorus did two short
concerts and we toured "The Island".  Mackinaw Island is, as far
as I know, the only community in the US that forbids motor cars.
 All transportation on the island is either by bike or horse.  As you
can see this adds to the place's "quaint charm".  I can say that
spending an entire day without hearing a single engine does have its
attractions (as long as high speed internet is included).  And yes they
stick to this no car stuff.  Four exceptions exist all of them emergency
vechiles.  One cop car (The police patrol on bikes.)  Two fire engines and
an ambulance.  Oh they do get to use snowmobiles. Even the street sweeping
machine is horse drawn (we saw it, pictures when I get to them.)

Architecture is Victorian to a fault, and they have an historic fort on the
top.  The place is mostly a big tourist trap with a fudge shop every 50
feet, and the trapees willing to pay the ferry ride over.  Oh yes fudge is
the Mackinaw specialty.  That have sniffer dogs at the docks and if they
don't smell fudge on you they send you back to get some. (kidding, but just
barely)  The fudge thing is so, intrusive, the locals joke about it, while
making the fudge.  Very pretty place that is mostly shops that sell the
same stuff you can get on the mainland 40% cheaper.

The island has 500 permanent residents that apparently like the place and
are willing to stay year round.  Now mind you this is a island in the
Strait of Mackinaw, a rugged place.  That means the ferries stop running
around November due to ice, but said ice is not thick enough to cross
usually until Christmas, after which you can snowmobile to St. Ignance
until spring thaw.  It does have one famous landmark, the super stuffy
"Grand Hotel".  (I didn't like the place.)

We spent a day there, saw the reconstruction of Fort Michimilmachinak
(mish-a-mill-a-mac-an-aw) on the tip of the lower peninsula and gazed at my
favorite Bridge.  "Big Mac"  (No, not a sandwich, again pictures
will follow.)

I am going to go recover from my vacation now.  I just finished five hours
on a bus (ugh)  Michigan is not a real wide state, but it is a deep one.

--
Garry   AKA   -Phoenix-   Rising Above the Flames

Star Trek le mort.  Viva la Star Trek admiraetur.

Olde Phoenix Inn  http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com



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