Ranie and I agreed that we needed a short break from the usual humdrum of our daily life. We wanted to go to Orlando so badly but considering that he only has a few days off to enjoy, we opted to explore somewhere closer. But where to go was the big question? I was thinking Lake Geneva, considered the Newport of the West and is only 2 hours away but he said: "let's go somewhere where we've never been to yet!"
So the browsing of places near enough to explore ensued. Then one day, he opened his computer and saw some pictures of Mackinac Island which I've viewed earlier and he said: "that's it! Book that hotel and we're going there!" I informed him that staying in the Grand Hotel will cost him $300+/night but I'll keep looking. He's like: "Bakit ang mahal?" So I told him that it has always been a retreat of the rich and famous in the olden days (circa 1800's) but that I can find a cheaper place. We settled on staying in Mackinaw City and do a day trip to Mackinac Island! The next question was, courtside or lakeside? Of course he wanted the lakeside! Kinda hesitant but I agreed! Yay, all set now, aren't we?
I had to take the first shift driving as Ranie worked the night before. Of course the last minute unforeseen things happened once least expected! For one, my phone didn't alarm as it went dead the night before. Thank God, I'm going on a vacay, otherwise...
I was in downtown Chicago by 5am, and in 30 minutes or so, he came out and asked me if the drinks are cold enough! When I opened the trunk of my car, he has a cooler full of water bottles, Cokes, Gatorades and Starbucks! He also has a big bag full of Baked Lays, Hawaiian bread, Nagaraya nuts, Boy Bawang...This guy's fully prepared for this road trip! After I got my fruit and walnut oatmeal at McDonald's by the Indiana Skyway, the adventure began!
It has been a while since I last drove for more than 2 hours! I was thinking, maybe, I'll do the first 3 1/2 or 4 hours then he can finish the rest of the way off. Since we had everything we wanted in the car, we only had to make bathroom stops. I've been telling him to go to sleep early as I really didn't have any plans of driving all the way but it took him a good hour or so before he finally slept.
When he finally woke up, I already have driven about 300 miles or so (or about 5 hours). It was when we noticed that the temperature was continually falling into the low 40's, even high 30's! As prepared as we were, we didn't bring thick jackets as the temperature forecast was supposed to be in the 60's. Just as a precaution though, we quickly passed by a strip mall and got ourselves some thicker jackets.
Asked for directions, the local said: "oh, you're not that far. Maybe a little over an hour and you're already there. Just make sure you don't cross the bridge anymore!"
Ranie asked if I needed to be relieved from driving but I told him that I'll try to finish the whole way, if I could. And so further north we went! When we got to the place, we were so dumbfounded as to how beautiful it was! The 7hour drive was well worth it, and yes, the $10 difference in choosing the lakeview room was well worth it, as well.
Since we were really so exhausted, we just had a dinner and called it an early night! No My Binondo Girl to watch, that's why :)
We woke up early that day, said my rosary to this view
Wow! That set the mood for a very exciting day! We went to breakfast early and boarded our ferry for a 16minute boat ride to the island! So excited were we that we didn't mind the cold and windy air blowing on our faces!
Of course, first things first, we went on to downtown and located our starting point for the Carriage Tour! Meanwhile, Ranie got himself a venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks (the only chain store found in the island) which proved to be a lifesaver during that cold early morning! I loved the beautiful place but I hated the stink of the horses!
I was fascinated by the tour but moreso by the absence of any motor vehicle (except for snowmobiles in winter) on the island! I just can't imagine living here! But did I mention that it was oh so pretty a place?
And then we passed by the infamous Grand Hotel! Too bad we were not stopping there for now but it was highly recommended to have lunch there. At $40/pp? Glad I still had time to think things over. As usual, it was a no for me but Ranie said: "we're going! Isn't it that we're going for the experience of how it is to live in the high life...even just for lunch?" I guess, we're going then! But for now...butterflies, and a lot of them, too!
Then we went through the Michigan State Park, making a stop at the Arch Rock, a natural phenomenon Science is unable to explain. Of course since it was conducive for napping, my seatmate just dozed off. The only thing I was thankful for was that he didn't snore, although the rest of the tour group noticed it. I guess, even Oreo (our three horses pulling the carriage, so named because 2 black horses sandwich the big white one in the middle) did too! He woke up however, when we were at our last stop - Fort Mackinac - the old fort used to defend the island from the British forces during the 19th century! That was where we enjoyed the best view of the island and the Mackinac Strait (where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron)! Of course, it was capped by a cannon firing demo by a couple of soldiers dressed in the military uniform circa 1880's!
Since the carriage tour ended at Fort Mackinac, we opted to go back to the Grand Hotel on foot, instead of waiting for another carriage that may take us there. That 1/2 mile walk seemed longer with the unpredictable terrain and confusing map we had. Nevertheless, we made it there! Hungry as we were, we went straight to the buffet. Surprise! surprise! The lady at the door was a Filipina so we talked for a while, since there was no queue anyway. When Ranie asked her from where she was, she said Davao and upon knowing that he is a Bisaya, too, she said: "hidlaw na gud ko mag bisaya oi!" And just like that, she added: "sige, bigyan ko na lang kayo ng discount $10." Yay, instead of $40, we're just paying $30/pp. Good deal! "Hindi, $10/pp na lang inyong bayran!" Best deal! What can I say? Ranie's charm never fails when it's needed!
Wasn't too impressed with the food but for $10 who am I to complain?
At that very moment though, I was silently hoping that I was sitting at the chair used by Jane Seymour during the filming of Somewhere in Time! Then after lunch, we sat at the famous rocking chairs by the longest covered porch in the whole world and watched the time go by, Ranie sipping his drink that cost him more that lunch did!
He wanted to complete the experience by biking around the perimeter of the island (8miles) but I said that I don't know how to bike. I added that I think I can handle walking the distance but he said that we'll just have a leisurely stroll towards downtown for some fudge shopping, of which the island is famous for. Good thing though that prior to buying we had a taste test for we almost vomited it in front of the saleslady as it was way over sweet to our liking. So we just admired the Victorian houses that abound the area then, did a little souvenir shopping then waited for our ferry for the mainland by the dock.
Tired from the whole day's activities, we again called it an early night! Hoping for an easier paced day in the morrow - NOT! Actually, the plan was to just explore the sites in Mackinaw City but Ranie had other things in mind and since he's the driver, he took us crossing to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We drove up to Sault Ste. Marie to see the Soo Locks (like Panama and Suez Canals) facilitating the passage of vessels to and from the Atlantic into the Great Lakes via Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Little did we know that it was also there where the International Bridge is located. Had we brought our passports with us, I'm pretty sure, we would have ended up in Ontario, Canada, as well. So after seeing a freighter pass through the locks (pretty rare, by the way), we opted to eat at the Antlers, where I enjoyed my newest favorite seafood - white fish! We liked the ambience but loved the food!
And as if it was not enough driving for the day, he still inquired as to what other things to see in the area. The verdict: Tahquamenon Falls - in some secluded place, only accessible by rough roads, with minimal traffic. I was getting impatient but glad that his 4G wasn't working in the wilderness so we had some serious bonding moment, just talking like normal adults do. After the seemingly endless drive, we were directed to the Lower Falls. Pretty! It has its own charm, as long as I don't compare it to the Great Falls in Virginia or the epitome Niagara Falls in Ontario. And then 4 long miles further is the Upper Falls! Also picturesque in its own right!
He still wanted to see some grizzly bear cubs but it would be so far out of the way that we opted to go home instead. So we drove back to Mackinaw City and took a million photographs, laughing, climbing trees and just having fun! We then set for dinner, of course consuming my fave again and called it a night! Was kinda sad that the adventure was ending but then again, there are still others to look forward too, for with Ranie everyday is always an adventure!
