Last in the Rat Race

Known for its ban on cars and motorized vehicles, Mackinac Island was a lovely family destination.

From the ferry ride over, to the horse-drawn carriages, to the bikes streaming everywhere, Kate was enchanted minute by minute. (even MRA bottled his normal caustic tone for something more akin to an average Joe)

Believe it or not, Mackinac reminded me of New Orleans. The main commercial street on the Island boasted a ton of activity, most of which centered around the sale of branded shirts and fudge. There were people everywhere – on the sidewalks, in restaurants and in the street (no cars remember). It’s a little tacky, but it has its charm. Much like Bourbon Street. Once off the beaten path, though, visitors stumble upon stately homes, boasting really impressive Victorian architecture, and beautiful gardens. The Garden District. There the similarities end though as the rest of the island is a blend of bike paths, rustic cottages, and woods. The rest of NO, well… not as scenic.

Our hotel, while certainly not as nice as Kohler, was convenient and had a view of the harbor. No doorman, no turn-down service, no concierge, but it did have an indoor pool (per MRA: “Great. A Holidome.”), which we never used, an ok breakfast, and an ice machine.

Like the picnicking, MRA had another trick up his sleeve. On Mackinac, he traded in the solo rounds of golf for biking with us girls. I know. Pull yourself back up off the floor.

The first day, we popped Kate on a trailing bike behind Mike and proceeded to bike around the island. (kick, kick, forgot the camera AGAIN!) Eight miles on the flat, beautiful scenery and a lake surrounding us by which to rest. Kate wanted to do that a lot. You know, all that peddling she was doing behind Mike…

That day, we found the Grand Hotel, Fort Mackinac, the bats at the Haunted Hotel, and a playground at the island’s school.

Day two – and also last FULL day – threatened to rain. Undaunted, we hopped on the bikes again, but this time with Kate behind me. We headed inland this time to see the sights. We peddled – and walked – up the hills to the rolling trails winding across the island. We found more homes, several carriage tours, a golf course (still not tempting enough for MRA to stay), Stonefliffe Inn (BEAUTIFUL, but remote), and skull cave. By the time we found the picnic table we had passed two hours prior, we were famished.

So we stopped and picnicked. AGAIN! Hell froze over a little last week.

Hard to tell what’s going on here – other than we’re sitting on our coats because the table was wet and MRA is talking, teasing Kate most likely. This was skull cave. Lovely imagery, eh?

It was misting for the better part of the ride and the lack of fender on Kate’s bike didn’t do her white pants any favors. We realized, too late, that her raincoat would serve as good protection in that area. By the time we made it back down to the harbor to return the bikes, another matter came to light: while I had a fender on my bike, it wasn’t enough protection on the dirt/rock roads, and Kate’s front – face, arms, chest – had been splattered generously along the way. Think she cared?

Not my kid.

More than once on the drive from Kohler to Mackinac, I threated to never vacation with Mike again. He likewise dropped a threat or two – no more long (2+ hour) drives; no more county roads… It was a good time. (oh, and before we even left the Kohler area, we had to hunt down a retailer who might sell Kate some Cars cars since we promised a dozen of them in return for putting back the $20 matchbox car she found in the hotel gift shop. dear god.)

So, on the road to Mackinac Island, I failed to see if we would be on the highway or stuck to county roads. (county roads… with construction) I also failed to check the number of ferries departing daily to the island. While it didn’t become a vocal concern until about 30 minutes out, I spent a good 2 of the 6 hours of the drive stewing about it.

Hold on to your seat. Mike picnicked.

You read that right. Not ONLY did we picnic, IT WAS HIS IDEA! Who knew? So we stopped along the way for a picturesque picnic at a harbor in Manistique, Michigan replete with playground equipment. The best part – aside from the 40 mile an hour wind threatening to blow our bread off our plates – was the playground. It was NOT the rubbery, bouncy, hypo allergenic plastic stuff that’s so ubiquitous in today’s litigious world. HELL NO! This stuff was metal. It was tall. It had sharp edges and was dangerous. WE LOVED IT. Kate headed for the tallest of the three slides. Easily, easily 25 feet tall. I shit you not. She got to the top and chickened. By this time, I was a few steps behind her on the ladder, hovering in case she slipped and crashed the 20 feet to the ground. I, of course, was drunk on the memories of slides from my youth and offered to go with her.

I kicked myself for leaving the camera in the car, but, through the bounty that is Google Images, I found the slide’s evil twin online:

Dear god.

We managed to maneuver our way on top of this monstrosity so that I was sitting at the top with Kate on my lap. Wow. Long way to the bottom… Long.

Off we went. FLEW! Clothing on metal, we flew.

Interestingly enough, we continued to fly, even when the metal stopped and we were left unsupported by the slide. That’s right, we flew right off and totally ditched, face first, into the “mulch” (read sharp wood chips). It was too damn funny to be scary. Exhilaration laced adrenaline numbed the gouges in our knees left by the crap they used to “cushion” our fall.

It was awesome.

After that ride, Kate was perfectly happy to move on to the teeter-totter. Which leads to the quote of the day (stolen from the friend of a Facebook Friend) – “We was bringin it down like a fat kid on a see-saw.”

Mackinac Island installment is apparently yet to come… Got a little distracted.

The stars aligned this month:
MRA was in an in-between place with his trial – which meant he could take some time off.
Kate was in between leaving one school at the end of July and starting Forsyth. (today!)
I was painfully slow at the office and itching to get out and ENJOY MY LIFE!

So, in a week’s time, we planned AnFam 2009. In an effort to make sure we (a) maximized our time and (b) made everyone happy, we ended up on a bit of a whirlwind trip.

Saturday
Flew to Milwaukee and drove 60 miles north to Kohler, WI.
I know, I know… what in the HELL could be so appealing in a town known for manufacturing toilets? Let’s just say you gotta see it to believe it. MRA knew about the incredible golf courses (4 to keep you busy) and had an inkling about the accommodations. I can safely say, though, that The American Club was, hands-down, the nicest – yet most comfortable – hotel/resort/whatever in which I have had the pleasure to stay.

Sunday
Amazing brunch followed by MRA golfing – shocking.
Kate and I drove to the marina in Sheboygan and then biked – our first foray on bikes together. She had a ball in the Burley.
Italian dinner on the “lake” (the man-made pond by the market).

Monday
MRA golfed – this time at the Irish Course next to Whistling Straits. While I’m not usually much impressed by a golf course (seems like such a waste to plow down trees and plant hard-to-maintain grass), this one was beautiful… like being transported to Scotland.

This is the clubhouse for both courses.

They even have a little herd of sheep roaming the course, keeping the grass neat.
Kate and I ventured back to Lake Michigan, found the water icy, and then found the Children’s Museum in town.

We managed to hook up with Mike again, grabbed our picnic and headed back to the Marina for some lunch. The weather was a little sketchy – cool, windy and threatening to rain – but we made the most of it.

The bottle of wine helped.

Back for a nap and then up again for an easy dinner at the Horse and Plow. It was POURING outside, but once we discovered that the property had an entire level we’d yet discovered underground, we made it to dinner dry.

More food, fun, and beer – including the Fattybumbalatty. (totally spelling it wrong, but you get the picture. surprisingly yummy!)

Tuesday
Breakfast again.
Packed.
Hit the road for Mackinac Island…

Stay tuned for Part Dos.

For anyone who has surprise lilies in your yard, you’ll understand the frustration that comes from seeing the plain ol’ green leaves in the spring. It’s a hint of something better on the way, but you gotta wait for it.

And wait for it.

And then, just about the time you forget they’re there, BOOM! In the course of just one day – Hello Lily!

These lilies came from my mom’s garden – which came from her dad’s garden. Wow, that man had a green thumb.

I’m trying desperately to not kill off the last of the line…