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There’s a saying here in Florida that the exits to all cultural and popular attractions exit through the gift shop. I am a relative newcomer to this whacky and wild state of Florida and I decided to test this theory. In my travels so far, it has proven to be true. However, not all gift shops are created equally, in terms of shopping experience. I will tell you what you need to know to manage your time effectively and to maximize your shopping experience.
Shopping is important!
Meet Me in the Gift Shop Memories visits
Michigan's Upper Peninsula
It's been awhile since "Meet Me in the Gift Shop" has posted new content, because we are still searching for new venues and places to visit. In honor of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, I'd like to publish, for the first time, my travel journal of a 2008 vacation Bob and I took through northern Michigan. It was the year of the Beijing Olympics, so you will see occasional mentions of them.
I know that many of us have had to change our vacation
plans, so while you're re-vamping your original plans, please share my memories
of the beautiful state of Michigan.
Click here for Day #8, the final day
Click here for Day #7
Click here
for Day #6
Click here for Day #5
Click here for Day #4
Click here for Day #3
Day #1
Sunday
(8/17/08)
Our journey began on northbound I-27 through the center of
Michigan, toward Mackinaw City.
Day #2
Monday
(8/18/08)
We took advantage of the complementary breakfast at our hotel, offering coffee, biscuits / gravy, and hard-boiled eggs. After breakfast, we hopped onboard Shepler’s Ferry for the short boat ride to Mackinac Island.
Bob and I went straight away to Fort Mackinac. It’s been at least fifteen years since I’ve been there, and they’ve upgraded many of their displays. One of my favorites was in the Fort hospital where they showed how wounds and illnesses were treated in the mid-1800s compared to how they’re treated now. Back in the day, most troops’ diet consisted of meat, gravies, bread, and other starchy components. Ft. Mackinac was considered a “healthy” fort, as the men had to take at least one bath as well as having access to fresh vegetables. What is now Marquette Park (in front of the Fort) used to be a vegetable garden. Needless to say, when epidemics swept through, the majority of forts suffered on a large scale, but not so with Fort Mackinac.
We hiked around the southeastern part of the island and saw:
- · Arch Rock
- · Ft. Holmes, which is the highest point on the island)
- · Catholic cemetery
- · Skull Cave
- · Scout Barracks
We stopped and shared our map with a few folks who were a bit turned around. Back in town, we visited the American Fur Company Store, the Biddle House, and the Benjamin Blacksmith shop. Of course, all of this learning created a great thirst in us, so we stopped at a local establishment for and adult beverage. We caught some Olympic results on NBC in the tv above the bar, and went on our way.
I was beginning to feel the effects of all the walking (did I mention the 2,000 stairs to get to Ft. Holmes?) with Bob “10 Miles Per Day” McManus, so I picked up some scented bath salts with high hopes of a long, hot soak in the tub. Sigh….
I believe it’s a state law that when on Mackinac Island one must purchase fudge. We certainly didn’t want to spend the rest of our vacation hiding from the Fudge Police, so Bob complied. This is where we had the idea to start a “next time” list. First entry: try the blueberry fudge.
Almost forgot to mention that we had lunch at the Tea Room, located inside Ft. Mackinac. It’s on the veranda overlooking Lake Huron, and is run by the Grand Hotel. Watching all of the tourists taking photos gave me an idea. If somehow possible, I’d like to get a copy of all of those photos where Bob & I appear in the background. There had to have been hundreds.
We left Mackinac Island weary and full of new sights and history. Before turning in for the night, we had dinner at The Depot, which was a functioning train depot over a hundred years ago. A nearby camp outfitter store boasted a 10,000-gallon aquarium, so we stopped by to take a look. I think this was the beginning of my disregard with days, and time especially.
Our route through Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula:
