Unlimited Mileage - Part 2

I stepped onto Mackinac Island and headed for Huron Street just after 5pm.  

 

Walkers

Bicycles

Horse drawn wagons 

No cars

No trucks

No buses 

Candy and souvenir shops displayed their merchandise between restaurants on both sides of the street.

Families walked in small groups, talking and peering into windows.

Further ahead, a horse collapsed onto the street.  

Walkers gasped as they stopped to look, 

some took pictures.  

Several minutes passed before the it stood again.  

The crowd cheered.

Huron street hugged the edge of the island.  

It was lined with beautiful bed and breakfasts, businesses and private homes. 

 High on a hill sat Fort Mackinac.  

According to historical fact, 

the first land action of the War of 1812 took place on this island.  

Hard to image now.  

A street cleaner pedaled by. 

He stopped to sweep what the horses left.  

Wonder what that job pays?

Huron to Ford Street.

 Ford to Market.

 

These beautiful horses caught my eye.

The doors of Market street each held their own invitation.

                                                                                                    

Finally, left onto Cadotte Avenue to my destination...

the Grand Hotel. 

The plan was to sip coffee on the veranda and take in the view.

 

Oh well...

so much for that!

The free landscape tour was quaint but quick.  

I had to pick up candy and be back at the pier in thirty minutes.  

The rush was on,

back down Cadotte, 

left onto Market, 

quick right on Lake View,

finally left on Huron.  

I purchased three slices of chocolate-peanut butter fudge and a pound of peanut brittle then dashed to the pier.  

There was a long line of people waiting for the shuttle.

I wondered if there'd be enough seats.  

Finally, the line began to move.  

We made our way onto the pier.   

The shuttle was waiting to the left.  

Then Drama.
A shuttle to the right belched a plume of black smoke
then sped toward the pier.

No one screamed.  

We just looked.
It connected twenty feet away from me.
Damage was light.

One bruised ego for the captain who couldn't navigate that turn into open water.

At last, we boarded.  

I found a seat on the lower level.  

The ride was relaxing.  

Soon, I was back in my rental.

Stopped long enough to 

pick up Salt Water Taffy for my brother,

and text my family that I was homeward bound.

Unlimited Mileage - Part 1

Early,
on a 'white cloud, blue sky' summer morning,
I took my new car to the dealership for "recall" repairs.  

They informed me the work would take a while
and provided me with a rental.

The first was a tiny car,
just big enough for me and my purse,
so I upgraded.  

I had a rental car with unlimited mileage,
a beautiful day,
and no children under 19 to care for.  

In other words, 

I was as free as a bird!

So...

I decided to fly north.

What a beautiful flight it was.  

Traffic flowed uninterrupted
for the most part.

One hour in, 

I stopped at my favorite outlet mall to make sure I hadn't missed anything.  

Then, I texted my family to let them know I wouldn't be home for dinner.

On the road again, 

I passed miles and miles of Michigan beauty.

At times, it looked like northern Arizona, 

then
the land stretched out and became hilly.   

My ears popped.

Finally, I saw...

the majestic Mackinac Bridge.

 I exited at Mackinac City, 

stopped long enough to buy salt water taffy for my brother, 

and gather information about ferry rides to the island.

Then, I drove to the dock, 

purchased a round trip ticket, 

and sat to wait. 

 

The ferry arrived 

and it's passengers disembarked.

  

 

 We boarded. 

I sat on the upper deck for a better view. 

The captain pulled back, 

turned the boat around, 

and headed for open water. 

 

 

The sun was warm.

The wind was cool.

  A noisy spray from the boat 

created a calmness within me.  

 

The sky's only rival shimmered in blue around us,

the Straits of Mackinac.

As we neared the island, 

the Grand Hotel and charming homes came into view.

The captain navigated a turn toward the dock and we were greeted by these spectators.

 

Safely docked, 

I took in a few sights 

as I waited to disembark.

To be continued...

Motor City Brewing Works - You Gotta Eat Here #2

Four of us ventured to Detroit on a blustery Spring day 

for an adventure in pizza at

the Motor City Brew Works on Canfield.

The Midtown restaurant reminded me of a chalet...

a retreat from the cold winds of March.

Warm air, 

a friendly staff, 

and beauty greeted us as we stepped inside.   

We sat down and considered the menu: 

appetizers, salad, pizza and a variety of "home made" draft beer.

We ordered. 

The wait for our freshly prepared meal, gave us time to talk,

  and sample the brew.  

Hm mm?  Bohemian Lager (made from Detroit water).  

The food arrived and earned our approval as well.

The pizza and salad were works of art like everything else.

 Delicious food, 

a taproom, and

friendly service

create a dining pleasure that is

The Motor City Brewing Works.

You gotta eat here!

Grow Where You're Planted

          A beautiful bouquet 

 

                                       can sometimes hide the real story...

      

of its struggle.

Train Tracks to Nature Trail - Another "Green Idea"

When I first moved into this neighborhood 18 years ago, 

there was a train track that bordered its northern side.  

Almost every night I'd either hear a train or be held up by its crossing guard.  

I was so glad I didn't buy one of the houses with a back yard that butted up to the tracks... 

don't think I could have stood the noise. 

 

Well, about 10 years ago
the train activity stopped.  

Later, the tracks were lifted and the adjoining cities worked together 

to convert the track area into a walking and riding trail.  

What a wonderful idea! 

They added gravel to the trail, identifying signs, parking lots, doggy poop bag stations, and then allowed nature to do the rest.

Last night, after dinner, 

I changed into shorts and sneakers, 

grabbed my cell phone and an audio book then set out to walk the trail.

It lead me to my favorite coffee shop.  
I stopped for a quick cup, 
sat outside to drink it, 
watched small town traffic, 
let the sun set a bit...

then hit the trail for home.