We got up at 3:00 a.m. this morning, drove to Daytona Beach airport, left on the 6:00 a.m.flight, stopped in Atlanta, Detroit, and our final destination (by plane) Traverse City.  Every single flight left on time and arrived early.  WHEN is the last time you heard of THAT happening.  We were picked up by wonderful Mackinaw Shuttle, and two hours later we were at the Star Line Ferry dock!

Best Birthday Ever! There are no words to describe how special this day has been. Friends were waiting at the ferry dock to cross with us, and when we reached the island there were friends waiting to greet us there. Then we all walked down to the Pink Pony for an impromptu birthday party! Topping that off were all the birthday greetings and well wishes from family and friends on Facebook. Thank you, thank you to everyone for making my birthday so special. My cup truly runneth over. I love you all.

As you can see, we traded flip-flops and shorts for jackets and socks!  Do you think I could smile any bigger?

Pink Pony Party!

Sure makes a girl feel special!

We finally headed up to The Inn at Stonecliffe by taxi around 7:00, surrounded by the kind of fog that anywhere else would make you say “Yuk”, but on Mackinac just makes you want to stand out in it and let it soak into your skin.

Our room is beautiful, and our dinner was delicious (more on both in the next few days).  Tomorrow I’m meeting Stephanie for a tour of the mansion, the Summer House Suites, and the gorgeous grounds where both these properties stand.

As we waited for our food to arrive tonight, I walked outside onto the Lakeview Portico with my camera.

Looking across the patio into The Cudahy Chophouse.

The fog was thick and getting thicker. From the Straits of Mackinac the sound of the foghorn floated across the Stonecliffe grounds, and I had to lower the camera and blink back tears.

I love this island.  I love it whatever the weather and whatever the season. In any other place I would say “What a dreary day,” but on Mackinac I say, “This is Mackinac, with fog.”

There’s a difference, and I know some of you understand exactly what I mean.

God bless.