Young love doesn't always work out the way we imagine-- but if we're smart, we do take something from each experience.
More than 20 years ago, I dated a guy whose family is from Michigan. At that time, I didn't have many connections to the midwest. We talked about visiting one day-- during the autumn season when we could witness leaves turn colors, experience real Apple Cider, catch a football game at the Big House in Ann Arbor and visit a little known gem called Mackinac Island.
This was the first time I heard about Mackinac, ranked among America's best places to visit. It's a place well known for its charm, where time stands still and where the streets have been car-free for over 100 years.
I couldn't wait to discover this midwestern treasure!
But I did... I waited for 20 years. And, like I often say, everything happens in perfect time. This just happened to be a well-aligned adventure-- as UT took on (and beat) The University of Michigan (Hook 'Em!). The journey was filled with lots of twists, turns, food, friends, discoveries, and subplots!
If you're here for a list of "Cool Things to do in Michigan" -- I'll make it easy:
1. Catch a Michigan football game at The Big House in Ann Arbor! (Heads Up: 150,000 people live in this town & the football stadium holds 100,000. So, Ann Arbor basically doubles in population on game days.) The excitement is palpable and Michigan fans are inviting, friendly and generous hosts!
2. Visit the historic Franklin Cider Mill & sit outside while you sip warm apple cider + a devour a cider donut (You can't skip the donut!).
3. Walk through downtown Detroit's incredible Arts Alleys. Read more about the purpose and effort here.
4. Duck in and out of shops in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown & Farmers Market.
5. Grab a meal in Birmingham, a super cute suburb of Detroit! I loved the menu, vibe & food at Market North End.
6. Witness the magic of fudge making & try mouthwatering samples while you stroll the streets of Mackinaw City.
7. Cocktails at the bar-- or al fresco at Peridot in Ann Arbor (You're welcome, in advance!).
8. Eat a gigantic sandwich at Zingerman's Deli (Pro Tip: the 'grab and go' section is your friend if you're hungry & have a long wait for the sandwich!).
9. Wave at Canadian territory from across the Detroit River! You can see Windsor, Ontario from Detroit's Hart Plaza.
10. Ferry to the incredible Mackinac Island
Mackinac Magnified:
For those of you down for a little time travel, follow me, via Shepler's Ferry, to experience the magic of Mackinac Island, 20 years in the making:
Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It measures less than five square miles and boasts a unique and diverse variety of activities and attractions. The Ferry is an easy 15-minute ride and drops you off at the island dock, where porters are ready to greet you and help with your bags.
This is a place to visit if you really want to step back in time. Horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the mode of transportation. Cars are not permitted on the island roads. Much of the charm is a reflection of history preserved. It's quiet, slower-paced and delightfully different from anywhere I've visited. Some call it the Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard of the Midwest. To me, there is no comparison. The character and diverse experiences I had on Mackinac are unmatched!
Where to Stay:
Mackinac is almost synonymous with The Grand Hotel, which is an impressive place to visit for evening cocktails and a glance at some historical hotspots. For those familiar with the 1980 Romance/ Fantasy Somewhere in Time starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, you'll love reliving parts of the film.
But, in my opinion, a short stop there is all you'd need. Bed & Breakfasts are the way to go for a more relaxed, authentic and magnetic Mackinac experience.
After exploring a few options online, I (thankfully) landed at the most darling spot, Bay View of Mackinac.
The Inn is family-owned and you can't make a reservation online. You have to call. I love that! After speaking with the owners Doug & Lydia Yoder over the phone, who briefed me on generations of family ownership and the history of B&Bs -- not just on Mackinac but across America-- I knew with certainty that I would be well taken care of and looked after.
Bay View rests on the water's edge. Built in 1891 in the Grand Victorian style quintessential to Mackinac, its bright yellow exterior and green trim drew me in right away. The front porch is surrounded by a garden of lush vines and bright flowers. It's a short walk, maybe five or 10 minutes, from the downtown ferry docks, just past a row of quaint shops and restaurants.
The rooms and amenities combine the feeling of quiet comfort with modern-day conveniences like WiFi and air conditioning. (Yes, modern day... Remember, you're there to step back in time!)
Concierge service at Bay View is incomparable! Ms Rose and Kennedy, both originally from Jamaica, greet you with bright smiles, nurturing hearts and island vibes.
(Side Note: There are a lot of Caribbean natives on Mackinac Island. Historically, Jamaican workers were brought to Mackinac during summer seasons to make money on work visas issued by the U.S. government. While some foreign guest workers come for a few months through a visa program for students, others come for the whole season-- and longer. In the words of Rose, Kennedy and some of their Jamaican friends, "It's still island living... just a different island.")
Ms. Rose has been on staff at Bay View for more than 30 years. To Lydia and Doug, she's part of their family. Her scrumptious recipes are compiled into a cookbook used for meals at both Bay View and sister property, Brigadoon, in Mackinaw City.
(**If you can't get a reservation at Bay View because it's fully booked-- stay at Mackinaw City's Brigadoon! The rooms are spacious, the decor, food and amenities are indistinguishable and it's a short, easy walk to and from: the Ferry terminal, shops and restaurants on the Mackinaw City boardwalk and the waterfront. You can easily take the ferry to the island for the day.)
The food at Bay View and Brigadoon is prepared with so much love. In addition to tea, coffee and juices, each morning's breakfast menu includes some type of quiche or eggs, sausage or bacon, fruit and a heavenly cinnamon roll. (I can't remember the last time I ate a cinnamon roll!)
Every afternoon, Rose would set out fresh lemonade and homemade cookies as a snack in the dining area. After dinner, there was always a late-night mouthwatering dessert she'd whipped up. She would never let me skip dessert. Who am I to argue with Ms. Rose??
What to Do:
There really is something for everyone: whether you're an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking and riding bicycles, a history buff who gets a kick out of exploring military buildings, ancient rock formations and old churches, or a lover of sophisticated culture who enjoys art museums, fine dining, evening cocktails, golf, sailing, and live music, the island invites all kinds of people from around the world.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Aside from a formal tour, you can book a private carriage, like taxis, as transportation to dinner or simply for sightseeing.
Bike the Island! Mackinac Wheels is right next door to Bay View making it super easy to rent a bike for a couple of hours and enjoy the journey. Riding the perimeter of the entire island is 8.2 miles-- and you're hugging one of the great lakes nearly the entire time! Roads are paved and well-marked, and remember there are no cars, so you're only sharing the streets with horses, pedestrians, and other bicycles :) Pro-Tip: don't go too fast... you'll miss out on some truly incredible stops!
Climb to Arch Rock! This is a must-see. You can get to the viewing platform by either: climbing 207 stairs along Spring Trail (get those steps in if you are able... it's worth it!) or taking a horse drawn carriage. The Milliken Nature Center offers you a safe and clean restroom stop, and there are some hiking trails for the adventurous wanderers who want to poke around at the top.
Kayak Tours: A beautiful way to shift perspective and see the island from the water! Circumnavigating Mackinac via paddling with professional guides is an 8-mile voyage that will take approximately 4-6 hours.
Relax... Between indulging in hand-dipped ice cream or Mackinac's famous gooey fudge-- and taking in breathtaking scenery over cocktails at The Carriage House restaurant and The Inn at Stonecliffe (a Humanitarian hotel), carve out time to sit on a wrap-around porch and marvel at where you are in time and space.
I found a quiet spot where the main road curves and wildflowers meet the waterfront.
Sitting by myself in the sunlight, receiving kisses from the cool breeze, I meditated, accompanied by the lapping of waves on rocks.
This was perhaps one of my favorite moments and memories from Mackinac-- and Michigan. It's not something fancy that you'll find listed on a blog or need to 'check off' during a visit... but rather a unique sense of complete peace and serenity.
The magnetic draw I had to this island, I thought, was tied to that former boyfriend from decades ago. While I give him credit for introducing me to this little known gem, once there, I discovered that this island and I went way back, almost like I had visited before in a past life. There are many legends about spiritual connections with Mackinac, which I didn't know about until my feet were firmly planted on its soil. It started to make sense -- this invisible thread to a once mysterious place, which now very quickly felt like home.
Meeting Doug and Lydia in person, it seemed as though we were longtime friends, kindred spirits with overlapping love for nurturing the human spirit: me, through my work as a yoga and meditation retreat leader, and them through hospitality.
Their daughter, Sara B, is a talented and up-and-coming visual artist (painter and illustrator) in New York. Her parents gifted me a beautiful piece that she created of Mackinac Island-- and displayed brightly in the center, is Bay View. I now have their home displayed in my home.
Whether or not you believe in time travel, past lives, soul friends or just plain coincidence, I invite you to experience the magic of Mackinac Island for yourself. Aside from the film and the fudge, if you carve out the time and space, you'll arrive in 'perfect time' to make new friends for a lifetime... and beyond.
This sounds like it was a trip you were meant to have , sounds very spiritual ❤️