Category: architecture


This past August the inaugural Grand Garden Show was held on Mackinac Island. It featured expert gardening presentations, private garden tours, and cocktail celebrations. Proven Winners flower company and the Grand Hotel sponsored the event. Was it because of the tour or the extraordinary climate of the island that the gardens this August looked particularly gorgeous? Tawny’s grandmother is a master gardener and Chief always remembers to compliment her gardens. But in Book Two – one character’s reaction exposes his true personality.

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West Bluff Garden

Steamboat Style Home

This West Bluff home is built in the Steamboat Style.

West Bluff

Dazzling Display!

Author's deck

On the author’s deck in the UP.

This is located right near the hummingbird feeder.

And, this weekend, the female, who is dominating the feeder and fighting off all interlopers,

decided it was easier to guard it from the nearby flowers. See her?

Our hummingbird

This and the next shot were taken through a screened window.

She loved sitting on that tender tendril, even in the wind!

Hummingbird through screened window

Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel

Every day seems like the 4th of July at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel.

A line of flags stand at attention along the “longest porch in the world.”

The total length is 660 feet (200 m).

Porch Chairs at Grand Hotel

The patriotic theme is enhanced with bright red geraniums punctuating the glistening

white colors of the hotel, porch chairs, flower boxes and railings.

Grand Hotel Carriage

When it came to designing the cover of Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine there was no question.

The Grand Hotel HAD to be on the cover!

Grand Hotel from speedboat

Lining up the Round Island Lighthouse with the Grand required

boating out to a good vantage point and trying not to bounce the camera

while ferry waves tossed the bow rider in choppy waters.

Star Line Ferry Enters the Picture

Tawny’s favorite – the Star Line ferry  – happened to cruise by during the photo shoot.

The secret to taking these shots on a rocking boat? Experienced sea legs and

setting the camera for “action shots.”

Arnold Dock During Races

When entering the Mackinac Island’s harbor, visitors are immediately drawn to the historic

barns on the Arnold Dock. Iconic reminders of Mackinac’s rich past, the barns are very

much in use today. Invariably, at least one horse drawn wagon will be pulled up along side,

as merchandise is loaded or unloaded.

Horse drawn Wagon at Arnold Dock

In the novel Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine, Takoda’s workshop is located

in a historic barn out on the old Coal Dock.

Entance to Arnold Dock

The Grand Hotel, Ft. Mackinac and the Arnold Dock are probably the most prominent

and priceless structures on the island and we’re fortunate that they are well-preserved

and cared for by their owners and protected by the City of Mackinac.

Mackinac Harbor at night

 

Approach to Arnold Docks

Mackinac Island Shoreline Docks

While reading “Discovered – the Cross of Lorraine” some fans have had

difficulty picturing the coal dock where Takoda has his workshop.  The above photo

focuses on the Arnold Dock below Fort Mackinac. The coal dock is to the left, just out of sight.

View of coal dock in winter

This winter shot was taken from the Arnold Dock – looking toward the Coal Dock.

Of course it is all fiction, but this was an ideal spot for Takoda’s boat restoration

business since it is isolated, near the hardware store and wonderful boats

have actually been restored there.

Coal Dock

In 2005, extensive restoration of the Coal Dock began. Built before 1910, possibly as early

as 1860, the Coal Dock was aptly named, since coal used by residents was unloaded there

as well as hay, firewood and barreled fish. It was owned by the Arnold Line system for more

than 100 years, but before that belonged to Captain James Bennett and was known as

Bennett’s Wharf.

It is one of the most attractive sites on the waterfront and deserves preservation so that all visitors

throughout the coming years can enjoy seeing such a beautiful remnant of Mackinac’s past.

Handcrafted

The stern of one of the gorgeous wooden boats handcrafted at the Coal Dock barn.

Photos of the Arnold Dock will be featured in the next posting.

Romance permeates Mackinac Island.

Part of the allure is the architecture both large and small – especially

the intricate and intimate structures scattered throughout the landscape and

enhanced with floral displays.

Pergola in the woods

This privately owned “pergola” sits in a field of blossoming ground cover in the woods

in the Annex behind the West Bluff.  Todd, Tawny’s friend who is desperately in love with her,

lives in the annex with his parents.

Entrance to Grand Hotel's Jockey Club

Commercial establishments add embellished structures to enhance their properties.

This intriguing arch beckons visitors to the Grand Hotel’s Jockey Club restaurant.

The outdoor seating there provides dramatic views of the golf course and the Straits of Mackinac.

Inn on Market Street

Visitors to the island need to explore beyond Main Street. This gateway leads to a popular bed and

breakfast located on Market Street. Guests at the Metivier Inn love to sit on the porch

or in the Adirondack lawn chairs to relax and socialize.

Mudminnow Press

Independent publisher located on the Keweenaw Peninsula

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Homeschooling family on an adventure of a lifetime