Background: I watched the movie Somewhere in Time back in the early 1980s. The movie starred Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve, and is a love story. It is set on Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw). Mackinac is a beautiful island, and is ranked among the top summer vacation islands in the world.
So let’s get the corny stuff out of the way first. I wanted to recreate some of the scenes in the movie. Here goes…
This is where the Jane Seymour character asks Christopher Reeve “Is it you?” Here they are kissing on the front porch of the Grand Hotel…Me and my bride. Front porch. Grand Hotel.They are sitting in a gazebo.Here is the gazebo now.Baxter’s Coin Shop was in the movie.
Getting to Mackinac Island
Driving over the Mackinac Bridge. This bridge spans the Mackinac Straits, which is the line between Lake Huron to the east, and Lake Michigan to the west.Our first view of Lake HuronShip on Lake MichiganWe arrived on the UP.There are only two ways to reach Mackinac Island: boat and small airplane. Our CadillacWe stayed at the Pine Cottage B&B. It was a cute old house.Approaching Mackinac IslandThere are no motor vehicles on the island. The only modes of travel are horse, bicycle, and walking.It’s like being transported back to the 1890s – the sound of horses clip-clopping, the slow pace. Historic Mission Church, a New England Colonial-style church built in 1829-1830 by Presbyterian missionaries.A beautiful street.There are many beautiful houses, with beautiful landscaping and colorful flowers.Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge. Here are the top two rated shops…A rainbow over Lake Huron!Historic Fort Mackinac, built by the British in 1781, relinquished to the United States in 1796.Historic Fort MackinacSunrise over Lake HuronSunrise over Lake HuronSunrise over Lake Huron with Mackinac Bridge in the disanceSunrise over Lake HuronMary Jean using one of the three modes of travel.Here we are at Lake Huron! Third lake this week!Round Island Passage Light.This is Arch Rock, one of the best photo ops on the island. From this vantage point, you see Lake Huron through the rock, and the sky above the rock. I took this picture in the evening. I took this one shortly after sunrise the next morning. We can’t decide which one to frame and put on the wall! What do you think?Lake Huron’s water is very clear. You can see the rocks near the shore.More Lake Huron views…Well here we are – our first look at the Mackinac Grand Hotel. Built in 1887, the front porch is the longest in the world (at least they claim that). Spectacular building. We had hoped to stay here overnight, but the smallest room was $769 per night, so we found a B&B instead.Mary Jean enjoys some sun on the porch.They have a dance every night in the summer. There is a strict dress code. After 6 PM, only dresses for women, and coat and tie for men.The dining room, where we had the famous Grand Luncheon Buffet!The view at our table.The carriage approaches.Sadly, we had to leave. Here was our taxi.One last view of Mackinac Bridge.It was a rough ride back to the UP.Wawatam Lighthouse, St. Ignace MI
