Dateline Dayton — Pauline and I were able to get away for a few days this week, a bus trip with PJM Charter to Mackinac Island in Michigan.

The trip started on Sunday morning with a stop at Cabela's in Dundee, MI, for lunch. From there, onto Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant.  In addition to our room, we were provided 20 dollars in meal credits and 30 dollars of free play.

Since we had a large meal at lunch time, none of us – including  my sister and her husband — were hungry. We settled for a prime rib sandwich for supper. We used our meal credit again for breakfast with enough left over for snacks. We didn’t want to leave anything on the card, as Jackie, our tour director, had recommended.

If was fun playing with their money – until I realized we had paid for that free play. I was able to leave the next morning, after a restful night in a beautiful room, with $10 of their money.

Monday we were headed to Mackinac Island.  You cannot drive there. Nor are there motor vehicles on the island.  When we arrived at the ferry, it started to rain, heavily for awhile.  We purchased rain gear, a good investment. It still was raining when we reached the Island.

We were greeted by a representative of the Bicycle Street Inn, our hotel, a nice gesture on her part.  Boarding a horse-drawn taxi, we went to the Grand Hotel, where we would enjoy a lunch buffet and explore the gardens, the shops and most importantly the porch.

I must say, we were disappointed by the Grand, although the view and the gardens are scenic. The Grand was not as grand as expected. Although the buffet was tasty, the tables were bunched so tightly it was difficult to make your way to the food.  Service was lacking.  They seemed to be hurrying us out. The food tables by us were taken down early.

After lunch and exploration time, we climbed aboard horse-drawn carriages for a tour of the Island with the sun brilliantly shining.

On our own for supper, we chose the restaurant in the hotel. More time to investigate the shops, and if you are a fudge person, you would have been in heaven.  I don't care for fudge. So we had ice cream.

On Tuesday morning, after a breakfast provided by the hotel, we returned to the mainland.  Before leaving, a representative from the hotel thanked us for staying.  Later, in line for the ferry, the woman came to the dock with fudge samples for us.

A Secret on Mackinac

If you ever visit Mackinac Island, I recommend The Bicycle Inn. In addition to beautiful rooms, the service is extremely friendly.

Mackinac Island does hold a secret. There are emergency vehicles, a backhoe, snow plow and a bulldozer, as well as golf carts on the island.  However, 600 horses love there – not in the winter, though.

Back on the mainland, it was time to think about lunch.  We were scheduled for a fast food stop, but Jackie was able to find a restaurant, a rustic setting.

After lunch, it was onto the Cross in the Woods, in the community of Indian River, where we enjoyed a two-hour tour of the grounds and church.  They have a large crucifix outside and a lovely church, from which the crucifix  is visible.  They also host a large collection of nun dolls.

Thunder Bay Resort was next in Hilliman, MI. Michigan.  Our room was huge and could have accommodated our entire family.

After settling in, we boarded horse-drawn carriages to search for elk and there were many, ending at the Elk Antler Log Cabin, for an outstanding five-course meal, prepared on wood stoves.

After breakfast at the resort on Wednesday morning, we were on our way home, arriving back almost an hour early, due to a great driver.

If I had to pick one moment on the trip to recommend highly, it would have to be Thunder Bay Resort.  Jack and his family, just outdid themselves for the PJM Charter group, which you should use for your trip.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net