A few days on Mackinac Island :)

Hello everyone!  We have been away for over a week traveling to Mackinac Island and Petoskey, both located in northern Michigan.  We had a wonderfully relaxing vacation- one that Dave was ready for:) It’s a few hours drive from our home downstate, so when we finally arrived in Mackinaw City we were thirsty and ready to begin our vacation.  We discovered a new brewery right in Mackinaw City and their beer was amazing! Welcome to Biere De Mac Brew Works!  I indulged in a MI Maple Amber– a medium bodied amber with caramel and maple flavors, ABV 5.7%- it was just what I needed after a long car ride. Dave ordered the Undtertow– a Belgium Tripel with subtle fruit and honey overtones, ABV 9.4%. Also, a very good beer.  We were really torn as to what to order- almost all of the beers and food items on their menu sounded really tasty.  The owner came over to our table and introduced himself and gave us details about his brewery and brewing techniques.  He was very friendly and accommodating.    He told us his chef was one of the best around so we had to order lunch 🙂 We shared a grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and homemade coleslaw.  Very good and large enough for us to split. When you order a flight of beers this is how it presented to you…a wooden Mighty Mac bridge! Excuse the guy who bombed my photo- he thought he was being funny. When we left the bar we parked our car and got on our bikes with only our backpacks.  We agreed to pack light enough for the two days on the island and whatever we brought had to fit into the our backpacks.   It was tough for me…hair products, many changes of clothes, but I did it and felt proud that I could actually pack that light.  We rode to the ferry that would take us to the island with only our road bikes and backpacks.   After a 20 min. boat ride, we arrived at the island and the first thing we did was ride the two miles to our hotel.  We stayed at the Inn at Stonecliffe, a beautiful mansion dating back to 1910.  Fully updated and modernized, this mansion boasts some of the most beautiful views of the Mackinac Bridge.  The grounds are to die for and it is so quiet because you are two miles away from all of the crowds.  On any given day on the island there are literally thousands of tourists, so it’s nice to get away from the crowds. Itinerary for the weekend: Friday- Day 1 arrive on the Island around 3pm.  Bike to hotel (two miles), check in, bike back to main street and get acquainted.  Find a spot for dinner. We decided to eat at the Draught House- good beer selection and pretty good bar food. Day 2 after a hearty breakfast, bike around Island for exercise (we ended up biking 20 miles around the island.)  Shop and find a good place for a late lunch (we split a sandwich before shopping)  We also visited the Gatehouse to see what they had on tap.  Much to our surprise that had CBS! Founder’s Canadian Breakfast Stout! We were surprised and delighted and ordered one for each of us, then proceeded to split one more.  CBS is a strong dark beer and at 11.7% you don’t need much before you feel the effects.   Dinner was at the Pink Pony and the food was good.   Day 3 After breakfast, check out of hotel by 11:00.  Bike back to marina to catch the ferry  back to the mainland.  Head to Petoskey!  Recap- Boat ride there and back was beautiful, we had such a nice time on the island- we didn’t want to leave.  It was exactly what we needed- lots of exercise, friendly people, quaint houses and horse drawn buggies on every street.  We slept in and took full advantage of the beautiful hotel with its views, sunsets, and swimming pool.   If you have never been to Mackinac Island you are in for a treat!  The island sits in Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. The Island consists of hotels, parks, biking and running trails, wonderful restaurants, bars, Fort Mackinac, Arch rock,  beaches, and of course numerous gift and fudge stores.  There is so much to see; although you can see the entire island in a two day stay.  When the last ferry leaves back to the mainland, usually around 10:00 pm, the island becomes very quiet.   Also, there are no cars allowed on the island, bicycles, horses and walking are the only forms of transportation.    We stayed at the charming Inn at Stonecliffe .  Breakfast was included in our stay so we made sure to eat a good one that would last us most of the day.  Many people choose to stay at the Grand Hotel , where that famous Christopher Reeves movie was made- Somewhere in Time–  It’s a great choice, but it can be stuffy and crowded. Relaxing on the back porch at the Inn at Stonecliffe.  We were beat by all of the activity from the day.  The porch is large and expansive and you can sit for hours just staring at the Mackinac Bridge. This is us drinking CBS at the Gatehouse! Are you considering visiting the wonderful Island of Mackinaw?  If so, these websites offer lots of useful information.  http://bikemackinac.com https://www.mackinacisland.org/latest-news