Mackinac Island

There was no greater example of cognitive dissonance

than the day trip we took to Mackinac Island.

It was such a stark contrast between what I, and the majority of my friends, 

have been experiencing for 6 months

and what I witnessed in the behavior of people 'on vacation'.

Taking a ferry to Mackinac Island 

and going under the Mackinac bridge,

was like going to another time;

fitting since the movie "Somewhere in Time" 

was filmed on the island.

While I know the crowds were significantly reduced from 'normal' summers,

I was amazed at the number of people/whole families, 

bicycling, shopping and gathering in large crowds.

True, they were masked as per MI Governors state mandate,

but the ease with which they moved through the day,

seemingly not weighing or obsessing about the risk of each encounter 

was amazing to me.

 

Our little group of 3 chose the road less traveled, 

avoiding any large grouping whenever possible -

the risk of infection,

our ages and medical conditions, 

were never far from our thoughts.

 

Did we feel the fear and do it anyway?

Why, yes, we did -

and I'm glad that was our choice.

This observation isn't a criticism of the Island or other people;

it's just recognition of the disparate realities that we're all struggling to balance.

Luckily, we lived to tell the tale.

The gardens on the island are the equivalent of 'garden porn' ...

no one individual has the potential to achieve these looks on their own; 

it takes a team of professionals, 

working out of sight.

When we spoke to the driver of our carriage about the gardens,

he speculated that the secret ingredient is the manure 

produced by all the horses on the island

which collectively produce 80 tons of manure A DAY.

More 'tiny' summer cottages for the uber wealthy.

As a first time visitor, I was suitably impressed and charmed

We even sat on the porch of the Grand Hotel and sipped pina coladas

just like the rich folks do.

It was a wonderful excursion.

Another 'must do' while in northern Michigan.

~~~~~~~~

I think I packed a lot into my week 'in the world'.

It was a wonderful respite from the isolation of the pandemic.

Can't begin to express how grateful I am to the friends 

who introduced me to this part of the world.