Mike Forrester's Blog Posts Tagged 'Island' (9)

I have a big update after our visit to the island last week. Every year I take a look at what’s new on the island and this year there is quite a bit to report.

Downtown is seeing lots of changes, most for the better, in my opinion. One thing that can’t be denied is that business owners are spending money making improvements, upgrades or changes to their businesses. After several years of stagnation, it’s nice to see fresh coats of paints and new businesses opening their…

Continue

Grand Hotel celebrates 125 years of hosting guests July 10, 2012. While you may have been built in less than 100 days, your builders laid a solid foundation that I hope will last another 125 years! Congratulations!…

Continue

Get ready for a full day of activities on Mackinac Island tomorrow. Here's my suggestion for the day (many of which I'm doing):

9:30am - Governor's Summer Residence is open for tours (free)

10:00am - Stone-skipping contest begins at Windermere Point (kids games and family activities)

12Noon -…

Continue

June 19th is World Sauntering Day. A day to enjoy a leisurely walk with a joyful disposition. W.T. Rabe of Grand Hotel created the holiday in the 1970's, according to Wikipedia 'to encourage people to slow down and enjoy the world around them.'

Personally, I can't think of a better place to saunter than the porch of Grand Hotel, which celebrates 125 years of hospitality in July. (Photo by Mackinac Island Blog Member Pam Schuch).…

Continue

On July 9th, make a visit to nearby Round Island and enjoy a tour through and to the top of Round Island Lighthouse. Each year, Freeland Boy Scout Troop 323 opens the iconic lighthouse from 10AM to 4PM and provides tours of the lighthouse, including the tower.

Charter boat transportation is provided for $10 round-trip, per person with boats departing from the Arnold Coal Dock (the dock just west of their ferry dock). Closed-toe shoes are recommended and you need to be able to walk on…

Continue

After spending several days on Mackinac Island last week, I’m pleased to provide my 2011 list of ‘What’s New on Mackinac’ for your enjoyment. While not exhaustive, it’s a good indicator of what to expect that’s new...or no longer.

Main Street was still relatively quiet compared to summer weekends, but many school groups find their way to the island before the end of the school year. I managed to snap the photo below at a low in group movements, but don't be fooled, they were…

Continue

The nature of Mackinac Island is that it doesn't change too much. It's historic buildings, fort, cottages and natural landmarks keep fans returning time and again. But like any tourism destination, some change is inevitable and even good (especially if it involves food).

After some careful investigation, which often involved repeated visits to some establishments, here's my list of what's new on Mackinac Island this season.



The big news is the opening of the… Continue

Each visit I make to Mackinac Island provides an opportunity for me to get up early and capture my favorite time on the island - morning. This is a short clip I cut together of morning life from a visit in June, 2009. There's no narration or music, just the natural sounds I heard while shooting the… Continue

On Sunday, February 7th, I decided to head out for a walk around downtown, then up Crow's Nest Trail to the East Bluff. In addition to taking pictures and HD video, I carry a Flip video camera that fits in my shirt pocket. This video was shot with the small, handheld camera.

The noise you hear near the docks are the pumps for the bubblers around the pilings that help in keeping ice from forming around them and possibly doing… Continue