20 Grand Hotel

Mackinac Island

Even after a big breakfast in Killarney on Thursday morning, we had to follow Killarney tradition and sample the fish and chips at the renowned Herbert’s converted school bus. Side trips to the Baie Fine, a long, fjord-like inlet, and to Kagawong, billed as Ontario’s prettiest village, highlighted today’s cruise. Kagawong seems a sad little place, well past its industrial heyday of producing paper for Sears Roebuck catalogs. However, it has a charming small church in which the bow of a wooden boat serves as the pulpit, and the nearby Bridal Veil Falls are well worth the short hike.  We ended the day at anchor in almost flat calm protected waters with three sailboats.

Friday was mostly overcast but calm, so we headed across open waters for Mackinac Island. Fortunately, the sun came out, the efficient  harbormaster found us a slip in the busy, state-run marina, and we moored here for two nights. That gave us a good opportunity to cycle around the island, visit the fort and early homes, learn about the early days of John Jacob Astor and the fur trade, and enjoy carriage rides to the Grand Hotel’s two fine restaurants: The Woods (in the woods) and The Main Dining Room in the hotel. 

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