Oct 172012
 

 

 Our Vacation on Mackinac Island! 
The seagulls are first to greet you as you arrive at the island docks!

  

 

Our luggage is sent on ahead to the Bed & Breakfast where our reservations were made months in advance! We decided to stay in one of the most historic homes. We start up Main Street and try out our  “land legs”  now that we havestepped off the ferry!    

Many visitors come to the island every year and if they do not bring a bike they will probably rent one sometime during their stay to pedal around the whole island! 
I will be stopping often to take pictures! I love the flower gardens, the history and quaint victorian homes everywhere!

 Yards are kept so neat! The vivid colors of all the flowers hold you spell bound! I could sit all afternoon in this yard and gaze!  We must move on and capture the sights !

 On the Island!

 Part of the delightful island experience is that there are not any cars or motorized vehicles here! Really! That cuts down on the noise, smog, and congestion quite a lot! The horses are available to rent, a buggy, or bicycle are also for hire. Many will walk the sidewalks and stop at various shops, vendors, entertainments &  historic sites along the wayside.

 

 The homes are so sunny and are a welcome sight too!

A pair of grays pull the carriage headed for the Grand Hotel!  Everywhere we look is so picturesque.

Ah….another beautiful home!  A true rock garden!  This is worth a closer look…I am always getting ideas for my gardens.

The side streets must be explored as time allows!
A fine china shop! Oooh this will be a wonderful stop on the way back!
Maybe I will show you some of the lovely purchases that I made-it was as wonderful as I had anticipated!
I found a beautiful bone china pitcher with a blue chintz pattern from England!
 

The weather changed throughout the day and  we missed a brief rain shower while we were busy exploring a shop!

As we headed up to the Bluffs we  pedaled over the wet pavement passing the Grand Hotel, golf course, and stables.  This will be much more fun when we come back and travel down hill!

The view is always worth the trip uphill!  Along the Bluffs are some famous historic houses.

 

We also visited the fort! 

  

The view from the Island fort was spectacular!

There was plenty to learn and  enjoy.

Those re-enacting life at the fort were very talented.

The museums had great displays. Seeing pictures of the development of the island was impressive too!


The buggy museum was so interesting!  Is this a fancy covered sleigh or what?

It is amazing where you can find relatives. Looks like some of my kinfolk!

  Our days passed quickly! The day of our departure was cloudy and we were glad to be heading home to the sunny south!

Oct 172012
 

Garden Blooms

                       
Whether you visit a garden or create a flower garden spot of your own
the beauty and benefits of your labors will speak to your heart
in ways that words will fail to say! 
Take time to linger among the blossoms.
All the blooms face the sunshine and grow in loveliness wherever they are planted.
Their beauty transforms a common place into a paradise.

In my opinion beauty speaks in a language all its own!

 When you surround yourself with flowers the lovely fragrance
is the scent of beauty.

 

Enjoy the natural beauty and  pure simple pleasures again.
Life is a gift we unwrap each and every day!

 

 

The most beautiful gifts are from God!

Would you call them blessings?

Behold the beauty of a thankful heart!