Our return to Mackinac (pronounced “Mackinaw”) Island, like last fall on Labor Day is another other world experience. This time, again with no planning we inadvertently arrive for the annual Lilac Festival and get to see the island relatively empty a couple days before the big event then quickly fill and become a hybrid caricature of its frontier history in a strangely Westworldian way.
The clip-clopping of the horses on the pavement (remember there are no vehicles on the island), the blast of the cannon from the fort on the hill and taps at sunset take you back in time and then you open your eyes and experience “rush hour” in the village with bicycles “triple-parked” and the rush of visitors, many east/west Indians and Asians drinking up the atmosphere.
I love this country!
Nothing like a calm day on Lake Michigan!
Crossing back under the 7 mile long Mackinac Bridge was an uneventful milestone.
Happy Happy resting quietly before the marina filled up for the Lilac Festival
......and then it got busy
So is this High Fashion?
The prestigious Mackinac Island Yacht Club
Ensign Wookie standing guard at the Post Office
Oh yeah, lilacs!