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Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Somewhere in Time

Today I thought I would take you "Somewhere in Time", on a trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan. 
Yesterday we took a day trip there and flew in hubby's plane along with our neighbors. Visiting Mackinac truly is like stepping back in time, and it's one of my very favorite places to go!  If you have never heard of it, it is where the movie "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve was filmed.  One of the best parts of the island is that there are no cars allowed!  So you either walk,  ride a bike, or a horse and buggy.

There are lots of gorgeous Victorian era mansions on the island.  This is the one I "chose" for mine! Hey, it doesn't hurt to dream, does it?  This gorgeous home sits on a bluff overlooking the Mackinac Bridge. Wouldn't the porch be a wonderful place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, or watch the sunset over the lake with a glass of wine?



Houghton Lake, on the way up.  (Hi, Debbie!)


The Mackinac Bridge.  If you read my post a few weeks ago about our camping trip, this is the bridge we went over on the really windy day!
An aerial shot, just before we approached the island.  Isn't the water gorgeous!  It makes me think of the Caribbean!


Here we are, we made it!!


A few more gorgeous homes.  Check out the arched walkway above, carved out of a cedar hedge!
 Another neat cedar arch!  Ooooh, I want one!

The bikes we rented just so happened to be my favorite shade of Periwinkle Blue!

 I could live in either of these houses!



The island is most famous for the Grand Hotel, which truly is grand!  We have been fortunate enough to stay there several times.  The hotel, which is the largest seasonal hotel in the U.S. (it's not open in the winter months), also boasts the worlds longest porch.  The above photo is a dining area, and I just love the contrast of the red chairs with the green walls! 
Check out this amazing chandelier in the Cupola bar!
Love the wicker, and the checkerboard floors!
Once a year, the hotel hosts a "Somewhere in Time" weekend, where fans of the movie come and recreate scenes.  We didn't know that it was this weekend, so we were surprised when we saw a bunch of people dressed in Victorian era clothing!  I wish that I could've gotten some photos of them, but I didn't want to be rude and snap a bunch of pictures of strangers while they were watching!
 The lovely Jane Seymour.



Transportation, island style!

The island is also known for it's many fudge shops, good thing we did lots of walking a biking!
(sorry for the glare on the window!)
Our taxi drivers back to the airport!  Aren't they pretty?

Nothing like a gorgeous sunset over the water!
This was our ride home!


A couple more shots of the setting sun from up above.  Stunning!
Thanks for joining me!  If you haven't been before, I would highly recommend stepping back in time on a trip to the island!

18 comments:

Karen said...

Hi Donna....What a beautiful day to visit the island. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures! I love it there....actually it's one of my favorite places to visit. I love hearing the clip-clopping of horses on the streets rather than loud engines and screeching tires! The homes are so lovely and the gardens gorgeous. Well, you already knew that!

Thanks for the cyber-trip!

Karen

Tete said...

There are just no words- after I picked my jaw up off of the floor, I had to go back and look again. I think I am moving north. I love this place! I would live in the out house. I love the sunset.
Thanks for taking me along with you today. I so enjoyed getting out of Oakland and all the fields. Your photos were beautiful!
Hugs- Tete

Christine said...

Wow, I feel like I went away for a little while...to a lovely place...by myself! LOL! Your photos are really terrific too Donna!

Ellen said...

Ohhhh I would simply love to visit there! What a lovely area with those amazing homes....thank your for sharing all the photos...I like the periwinkle bikes too!

NanaDiana said...

Okay-donna- We are NO LONGER friends. As SweetCheeks would say, "I isss madd at yoah!" I just got home and there you are AGAIN! At one of my favorite spots of all time. Our girls go up every year for the Lilac festival. I am sorry to say that the picture of the first house you saw I already have dibs on. You will have to arm wrestle me for it! Hey-Sorry...just the way it goes.

You did a great job of photographing everything. Beautiful! Did you hit the fudge shop? It's wonderful that you can fly in and out. We are about a 6 hour drive for us...so we don't go very often.

Glad you had a nice day, Donna! Hugs- Diana

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Just Loving your recent Posts ~ Mackinaw Island is Beautiful, it has been 20 years since I was last there... I have always wanted to go in late spring when all the Lilacs are in Bloom ~ they are 1 of My Favorite Flowers & I hear that the Island has a Fabulous Collection~ Then, your Camping trip in the U.P. brings back Memories ~ My Great Grandparents came from Norway in 1903 & settled near Copper Harbor ~ My Great Grandfather worked in the Red Jacket Shaft Copper Mine ~ My Grandmother moved down to the Detroit area in the mid 40's where My Mom met My Dad and the rest of course is History... Fun when things remind you of Happy Times ~ btw, My Uncle who was also My God Father, worked as a Steel worker on the Mackinaw Bridge ~ Family History all brought back to me, but Your Wonderful Posts....
Cheryl

Leo said...

Wow -what a gorgeous place. And what a wonderful way to spend your Saturday. Just amazing. Love those Victorian homes. What a great way to travel!!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely, interesting post and photos!!!

Kisses.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is just lovely! And how fun to be there on the Somewhere in Time weekend...I just LOVE that movie! Beautiful homes and architecture...I hope to make it there someday! Thanks for sharing!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

What a beautiful place! I would love to visit there someday. Thanks for sharing your photos. :)

Cindy Adkins said...

I can't believe this--it's amazing, Donna!!!! You guys must have had a blast!!!
XO

Savannah Granny said...

What a beautiful reminder of some of my favorite vacations. As I was scrolling through your post I kept thinking, surely there will be a photo of the Grand. Then there it was. We have been fortunate to have been there during the Lilac Festival. It is awesome. I can't manage the bikes any longer so I just take the taxi. They also rent a scooter(hover round type) I got one the last time and boy did I feel free.
It was such a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.
I am a new blogger, please come by and visit. I would appreciate it. Ginger

Lindy said...

The homes, the gardens, everything.....is just beautiful!

mizdarlin said...

Thanks for this lovely travelog...I would be perfectly happy to "settle" for that salmon-coloured house with the cedar arch..and a place with only bicycles would be wonderful for my waistline..I'm glad for the glare in the window of the fudge shop-I don't know if my will power could have withstood a better view!

Biljana said...

So beautiful photos, thanks for sharing:))
Hugs, Biljana

ShabbyESP said...

Hello Donna,
I had to say something because these pictures are just gorgeous!!! I haven't been to Mackinaw Island in a long time but the Grand Hotel is still as beautiful as when I saw it.
Thanks for visiting by my blog I appreciate the sweet message.
AGAIN your pictures are so lovely and it makes me miss Michigan so much more.
Suzann

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Oh Donna, your pictures are wonderful! What a beautiful place this is. I have only been there once (many years ago) and still remember it perfectly. You are so fortunate to be able to fly. I have a fear of bridges and we crossed on a very windy day...I'll say no more!
It was lilac time when we were there and it was gorgeous. Your pictures are breath-taking. Thanks for taking us along for the day!

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

What a Beautiful Post Donna! Somewhere in Time was one of my Favorite Movies When it Came out!
I always thought if would be Fun to visit the Grand Hotel and Mackinaw Island!
Thank You for Sharing your Pics. It Looks like it was a Wonderful Day!
Hugs
Jill