2025 Oct 11-19, NCL Getaway Cruise 7-Day Canada and New England Round Trip New York, Bar Harbor & Halifax Part 1

 Day 1: Oct 11, Saturday, Flight to New York 

We stopped at Jack's in Athens for breakfast and ordered gravy and a biscuit.

We drove to Huntsville Airport and boarded United Airlines Flight 4240, Group 3, at 7:33 A.M., Gate 2, Seats 4c & 4b. We flew into Washington Dulles, IDA, and arrived at 10:52 A.M. 

We loaded @ 12:17 IAD on flight 3704, gate A63, group 3, Seats 22 B and 22 C. Arriving in New York at 1:49 P.M. 

On the plane, we met several people going on the cruise. Mike and Rhonda Flippo, Mickey and Shelia Hines, who was a retired police officer who worked with my Hubby's brother-in-law. 

We followed our guide to the shuttle, which took us to the Marriott Marquis. 

We took our luggage to our room, R3911, and then we went looking for a place to eat. We stopped at Junior's Restaurant, 1515 Broadway St., which was just across the street from the hotel. 

We ordered Fish and chips, two drinks, and a raspberry swirl Cheesecake, and spent $47.58. Our server was Kevin. 

Walking the Streets of New York 

After dinner, we walked several blocks in the crowded streets. Vendors covered half of the sidewalks. We stopped inside the Disney Store. Took several photos. We came back to the hotel, took a hot bath, and fell asleep. Woke up, watched some TV, then fell asleep. Awoke around 4 A.M. and wrote in my journal.

Check-out time is 11 A.M.

Photos

245-7A.M. Huntsville Airport

246-249 8:14 A.M. Leaving Huntsville Airport

250-262 @10:38 A.M. Flying into Washington Dulles Airport

263-270 @12:30 P.M. Leaving Washington Dulles Airport 

271-275 @1:37 P.M. Flying into New York Laguardia Airport

277 @2:28 P.M. Leaving Airport in Shuttle 

278-296 @2:50 P.M. Travel Long Island, Murray Hill, Turtle Bay, New York 

297-301 @3:45 P.M. Our room 3931 

303 @4:16 P.M. Juniors Restaurant 

Fish and Chips from Juniors 

304-331 @5:03 P.M. Walking the streets of New York 

Day 2: Oct 12, Sunday, Boarding the Ship NCL Getaway.

We bought a Blueberry Parfait and a pastry in the hotel store for breakfast. 

We met our NCL Guide and checked in for our ride to the ship.

I walked around on level 39 for two miles. We went downstairs to the outside covered breezeway to wait for the bus to take us to the ship. It did not arrive until after 12:30 P.M.

We talked to a couple from Indiana that was going on the cruise. The wife was a teacher and on fall break.

Everyone loaded onto the bus, which took us to port 90, where the ship was docked. We went through security, got our key cards, and boarded the boat. 

Our first stop was the American Diner, where I ordered three sliders, fries, and bread pudding. Hubby ordered a salad, spaghetti, and a slice of carrot cake. I could only eat one of the three sliders. 

We walked to our cabin 13168, where I took a nap. My sister called to wish me a happy birthday. I talked to my daughter. She had been cleaning her RV in preparation for a trip to Universal Studios. 

At 5:00 P.M., we walked down to Cagney's Steakhouse and ate dinner. I ordered shrimp skewers, baked potato, sautéed mushrooms, grilled asparagus, and vanilla ice cream.

Hubby ordered steak, shrimp cocktail, broccoli, mushrooms, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

After dinner, we walked around the ship. We went to the theater to watch the comedy show. 

After the show, we returned to our cabin, hung up my clothes, and wrote in my journal. 

We watched Hocus Pocus 2 on TV.

The Big Apple 

Photos

332-334 @8:09 A.M. Photos Hotel Big Apple, Wonderful

335-358 @12:26P.M. Port and Ship

359-360 @2:06 P.M. Lunch at American Diner

361-365 @5:42 P.M. Dinner at Cagney's 

366-367 @6:37 P.M. Hotel Lights

368-374 @8:59 P.M. View of New York from the ship

Day 3: Monday, Oct 13, Port Day (the ship had to stay in the port because of bad weather) 

The ship was supposed to leave the port at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, but New York closed the port, preventing any ships from coming in or leaving. So we had to stay on the boat until 5 A.M. Tuesday morning.

I walked around our room area, then went upstairs for 3 miles. I could not walk outside because it was raining. 

We went to breakfast at the Garden Cafe, where I had blueberry yogurt, a pastry, sausage, and cranberry juice. 

We went to deck 6 (Atrium)to watch game shows and trivia. 

We ate at O'Sheehan's for brunch. I ordered French Toast with whipped butter, syrup, and seasonal fruit. We walked back to our room, where we watched The Lion King and took a nap. 

At 5P.M., we went to Teppanyaki for dinner, where we watched our chef prepare our meal while entertaining us. 

Our Chef 

Steak and Shrimp 

The chef cooks our food.

We were served Miso Soup with mushrooms, dashi, tofu, and wok-me.

Next, we were served a seaweed salad with ginger salad dressing.

We watched our cook prepare garlic-fried rice with eggs, served with grilled vegetables and a creamy mustard dipping sauce.

Our main course was grilled shrimp and New York Strip (ASUKA)

For dessert, we were served Green tea cakes with cashew nut butter.

After dinner, we returned to the Atrium area, deck 6, where we were entertained by Voices & Keys Duo.

 Returned to our room, where we watched Ghostbusters on TV.

Photos:

375@7:30 A.M. Replica Getaway

376-377 @8:04 A.M. View from Ship (rain)

379 @10:41 A.M. Brunch (French Toast, fruit, yogurt, pastry, sausage)

380-381 Photos taken at Teppanyaki 

382-397 5:12 P.M. Dinner at Teppanyaki 

398-404 @7:29 P.M. Show Voices & Keys Duo 

Voices & Keys Duo 

405-408 7:52 P.M. View from our room 

409-411 @8:21 P.M. Receipts 

Day 4, Oct 14, Tuesday, Leaving New York, Sea Day 

Got up early and went to Deck 16 to see the Statue of Liberty as we sailed by. 

Statue of Liberty (cloudy early morning )

I talked to several people waiting to take pictures of the Statue of Liberty. It was still dark and overcast, so it was hard to take a clear picture. 

I met Hubby in the Garden Cafe, where we ate breakfast. We watched people come and go through the electric door. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

It was funny watching how everyone acted when the door didn't work. 

We went to Deck 6, the Atrium, where we met a couple from California, Susan and Kevin.

Next, we walked through the shops where I bought a bracelet and charms. 

We walked to the Harry Houdini area, where we met up with Shelia and Mikey. We sat and talked for a while. 

At 11:26, we ate lunch at O'Sheehan's. There, I ordered cheese & spinach dip with chips and avocado dip. 

Hubby ordered a coney hot dog with fries and hot wings. 

At 12:30 P.M., we went to the Getaway theater, Deck 7 FWD, to the Amulet of Adventure, The Port, and Shopping Talk. 

There, we each got an anchor and a necklace.

At 3 P.M., we went to Sydney Normas Deck 8, forward, where we watched the last 30 minutes of Carryoaky.

We watched the Amulet of Adventure, Diamond and Gemstones Seminar, where we each received a Nahla Amulet. 

We rested in the hallway where we saw our friends from New York.

We returned to our room until 5:30 P.M., then went to dinner in the Manhattan Room, where we sat with a couple from Virginia. 

For dinner, I ordered baked Fish with creamed potatoes, a Waldorf salad, and a brownie with ice cream.

We returned to our room and wrote in my journal.

At 8 P.M., we went to the Effie Celebration Party at the Effy Boutique store on deck 8 aft, where we received a champagne glass amulet and drank a glass of champagne. 

Photos

412-416 @5:42 P.M. Leaving New York and passing the Statue of Liberty 

417- @ 7:15 A.M. Breakfast in Garden Cafe 

418-420 Sea Day 

426-429 @ 9:54 A.M. Houdini Hallway

Canon EOS R6

5203-5249 @4:15 AM Leaving New York

Houdini Hallway

430-434 @6:15 P.M. Dinner in Manhattan Room 

435 @7:04 P.M. Chandelier 

436-439 @7:17 P.M. Our photos that were taken at Teppanyaki 

Day 5, Oct 15, Wednesday, Bar Harbor, Maine 

Breakfast at the Garden Cafe: I ate French Toast and yogurt. We walked to the Manhattan Room, and at 7:15 A.M., we boarded the tender boat and were taken ashore, where we met our bus driver and guide (Herman).

We rode through Acadia Park for a couple of hours and were dropped off downtown. We walked up Main Street to the Lobster Restaurant, but it was closed. 

We walked through several shops and bought seven postcards, a hat, a boggen, and a sweet shirt. 

We ate lunch at Stewman's along the pier. We ordered lobster, potatoes, corn on the cob, and clams with blueberry pie topped with vanilla ice cream, which Hubby and I shared. We saw the couple from California at the pier. We came back to the ship via tender. Went to our room and wrote in my journal.

Our ship didn't leave the port until 5:30 P.M., and the sunset was beautiful. We sat in the lobby above the atrium and watched them make flowers. My stomach started hurting, so I went to the restroom, but that didn't help. I felt sick to my stomach, so I went back to our room. From our room, I watched the ship leave port. I got sick, took a shower, went to bed, and slept all night. Hubby went upstairs to get dinner. I couldn't eat anything. I just went to bed. 

Photos 

440-442  @6:12 A.M. Sunrise Bar Harbor 

443 @ 6:27 A.M. Breakfast 

444-446 @ 10:16 A.M. Moose Store Bar Harbor

447-445 @10:30 A.M. Wood Store 

Canon EOS R6 

5255-5359 @7:11 AM Acadia Bar Harbor, Maine

5360-5387 @8:21 AM Town Bar Harbor, Maine 

The Wood Store 

446-477 @10:42 A.M. Main St Stores Markers park 

478-481 @11:28 A.M. Lunch at Stewmans along the pier

Blueberry Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream 

Potato and Corn on the Cob 

Lobster, Corn on the Cob 

482 @1248 P.M. Whale at Pier 

483 Receipts 

484-491 @446 P.M. Port Bar Harbor

492-440 P.M. Inside Ship Chandelier 

494-497 @525 P.M. Leaving Port 

2024 April 19, Visitor Center, Kennedy Douglas Art Museum, Coffee Cemetery with AVA

 Today, we rode into town to pick up Hubby's medicine at Walgreens. 

We rode to the Blue Door Thrift Store/SCOPE 310 and bought AVA a game. 

Ate lunch at Culverts. 

Hubby and I split a plate of shrimp, fries, cole Slaw, and Chocolate moose yogurt.  

We bought an AVA hamburger, fries, and chocolate yogurt.

We stopped at the nearby Walmart to pick up a few items. Then, Ava and I walked across the street to the Coffee and Slave Cemeteries. 

A  large old tree at Coffee Cemetery

Ava wanted to visit a museum, so we rode to the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center. There, we saw AROY Artistic Rendering of Youth, featuring artwork created by students from 7th through 12th grade at 15 schools. Outside, we stopped to take pictures of the statues. 

AVA and the outdoor art

We walked across the street to Wilson Park, and the mist from the fountain seemed to reach the clouds.

Overflowing Fountain at Wilson Park 

Color is the music of light. 
Frank Lloyd Wright 
(This marker is on the sidewalk at Wilson Park.)

We watched a barge go up the Tennessee River 
men fishing 

Ava enjoyed the playground area at McFarland Park. Our last stop was the Visitor Center, where they saw several displays. 

Large and small-mouth bass
Bass fishing & tournaments are significant on the Tennessee River in Florence.
Ava enjoyed the one with the big and small-mouth fish. 

WC Handy Statue in Wilson Park 
WC Handy 
Father of the Blues 
1873- 1958 
Born in Florence, Alabama 

Display of WC Handy's music at Florence-Lauderdale Visitor Center.
Handy played the Cornet (pictured here) 
Handy's first hit was "The Memphis Blues".

The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the Music Preservation Society, Inc., in honor of Florence native W. C. Handy, the "Father of the Blues." The non-profit Music Preservation Society was formed in 1982 with the mission to preserve, present, and promote the musical heritage of Northwest Alabama.

The 2024 Handy Festival will take place from Wednesday to Saturday, June 12-15, in Florence, Alabama. 

2023 July 18-21, Trip to The Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia (4 days)

 Day 1: Tuesday, July 18:

We left home at about 6 A.M., stopping at Jack's in Athens for biscuits and gravy. 

We continued through Huntsville, taking Hwy 72 toward Scottsboro, then turning onto Hwy 35, passing through Mentone, crossing the Tennessee River (Hwy 40), and heading to Hangar, Valley Head, and Mentone, before crossing into Georgia.

In Georgia, we traveled through Summerville and Rome, then onto the I-75 bypass of Atlanta. We went through Cartersville and Marietta, taking 400 north, bypassing Atlanta, and then heading to Dahlonega, Cleveland, and 75 to Helen.

We checked into the Castle Inn around 2:25 P.M. and carried all our luggage up two flights of stairs (there was no elevator).

We walked down the front of the hotel to the nearby Troll Tavern. The Tavern was along the Chattahoochee River, and a gate covered in locks weighed it down. A sign stated that no more locks were allowed and that all locks had to be removed, which made the gate unstable and unsafe. 

Troll Tavern with Gates full of locks 

While waiting for a table, we watched hundreds of people tubing down the Chattahoochee River on green, pink, and blue tubes.

We ordered a Reuben on toast with mashed potatoes and a Diet Coke. They were short-staffed because there were many empty tables, and people were waiting to be served.

Reuben on toast with mashed potatoes

We walked around the town, and some of the places we saw were The Wooden Toys, Assay Station, Welcome to Wildwood, Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, Wilkommen, Helen Hat, Grimm's Weg, Sock Store, Christmas & More, Christoff's Seventy-six, Helendof Inn, Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, Pepper Place, Dizzy Bear,  Cowboys and Angels, The Christmas Shop, just to name a few. 

Gone Squatchin in Helen 

It was a beautiful but very hot day, so we returned to the Castle Inn and rested until around 7 P.M. 

We left the Castle Inn and walked across the bridge, stopping for a picture at the Cafe International (head in the hole), the Mural of Helendof Inn. I continued walking past the Alpine Wedding Chapel in Fashall, where they were playing bingo. I saw the Pirates Cove Miniature Golf and Alpine Village Inn. 

I walked to Wendy's, where I had left Hubby, and he bought us a strawberry frosted drink and a Diet Coke. 

We returned to our car and rode to Cleveland, stopping at the White County Courthouse to take pictures. 

Day 2: Wednesday, July 19:

Early in the morning, I took my journal onto the balcony and began writing. I watched as the town slowly came alive. I could hear the birds chirping in the distance, feel the cool breeze, and the sky was full of clouds. The only people I saw were early-morning workers. 

We were at the Waffle House when it opened at 8 A.M. I ordered three pecan pancakes with whipped cream and Diet Pepsi. Hubby ordered two eggs, sausage, three pancakes with gravy, biscuits, and hash browns.

We rode to the visitor's center, where they gave us a map of Helen and suggested places to visit. 

She said Anna Ruby Falls, Sautee General Store, Hardman's Farm & Indian Mound, and the Covered Bridge. 

We walked through Veterans Park, taking pictures of the park behind the Visitors Center. 

We rode to Unite State Park to see Anna Ruby Falls, but before we began climbing uphill to the falls, it began to sprinkle, so Hubby returned to the car for the umbrella. 

During our climb uphill, we had to stop several times to rest. Stone benches were along the path. 

It was getting slippery with all the light rain, but we finally made it. Hubby stopped just short of the falls. Hubby talked to a couple while I walked to the top. 

Anna Ruby Falls 

I ask a red-headed girl to take a picture of me standing before the waterfalls.

We also met a family of teenagers walking up the hill, and they passed us when we came down. Several people were visiting Anna Ruby Falls. 

Our next stop was Babyland, the Cabbage Patch Doll Hospital. Baby cabbage patches were planted all around the hospital. When you walked inside, there were pictures of famous people on the walls. 

There were several different rooms with dolls and scenery, which were overwhelming.

Cabbage Patch Kids

Choosing which baby to adopt was hard, but I settled on Sandy Sue. 

Everyone crowded around to watch the birth & the storytelling of a baby boy Cabbage Patch Doll. 

Our next stop was the White County Courthouse Museum.

It had already closed the day before, so we rode back today. 

Several ladies were sitting around a table discussing their membership in the Historical Society of White County. 

One of them told us the history of the museum. 

We could hear music coming from upstairs. There was a man in the Old Courtroom playing a fiddle.

I saw a replica of the Covered Bridge and asked questions about it and its location.

Our next stop was the Hardman Farm State Park. We had to park on the hill and walk down several flights of stairs to the Visitor Center, so Hubby did not want to walk around the farm. 

Hardman Farm Historic Site, Sautee Nacoochee, Ga 

He bought me a ticket, and I took pictures of the building and historic markers.

I also met a couple of women taking pictures of markers for later reference. 

Hubby was in the car waiting for me at the bottom of the hill.

Next, we rode to Stovall Covered Bridge and Old Sautee General Store.

The Stovall Covered Bridge has been washed away three times. 

We stopped at Walgreens in Cleveland for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and health bars. 

We stopped at Nora Granary Mill, where we purchased some stone-ground cornmeal. 

We ate dinner at Wendy's and then went back to the Castle Inn. (Hamburger and fries)

We watched the new Ghostbusters movie.

I walked outside to talk to my daughter and to write in my journal. 

It had been a full day. 

Day 3: Thursday, July 20:  

We rode to McDonald's in Cleveland, bought a muffin with sausage, and Hubby ordered a big breakfast. 

Today, we rode to North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park in Cleveland, GA. We walked through the petting zoo and then drove through the Safari, where we saw buffalo, Elk, Deer, Emu, Ostrich, camels, Zebra, and several small animals. 

I was not too impressed.

Next, we rode to Brasstown Bald, Hiawassee, GA (the highest point in Georgia), and paid $8 to ride the shuttle van to the overlook and visitor center. 

It was too foggy to see very far, but we did enjoy the Visitor Center museum. 

Brasstown Bald Overlook and Visitor Center

In the museum, we saw several handmade quilts hanging on the walls.

We saw several different forest animals, a log with a saw, a train engine, and displays, among other things. 

Saw several barn Swallows and Gray Catbirds. 

We rode the shuttle bus back down the mountain. 

We stopped at Chick-fil-A in Cleveland for dinner. I ordered a kid's chicken-finger meal with waffle fries and ice cream. 

It was raining when we returned to the Castle Inn. 

I sat outside on the balcony, listening to the band in the restaurant across the street. 

It was a stormy night, and very few people were outside. 

Day 4: Friday, July 21:

Check out Castle Inn 

2023 May 14-20, Trip Mackinac Island, Sault Ste Marie, Saint Ignace, Mackinaw City, & Frankenmuth, Michigan, with The Club, Diamonds in the Rough (7 days bus trip )

Day 1: May 14, Sunday

We had a great trip to Michigan with a 50-person group from the Club. Before we even got started, we had problems with the bus, so we stopped at Rent Right in Lawrenceburg to have it fixed. 

Inside the shop was a barber's chair 

Hubby and I stopped at Jack's for sausage, gravy, and biscuits for breakfast.

We stopped for lunch at Cracker Barrel at Oak Hill, Near Nashville, TN. I ordered a kid's grilled chicken with Mac and cheese.

We traveled by bus to Ohio, stopping every 2 to 2.5 hours to rest. 

We stopped at KFC in C for supper.

I ordered chicken with Mac and cheese.

We spent the night at the Comfort Inn in Piqua, Ohio, and began our journey the next day. Room 304 

Lobby at Comfort Inn Pique, Ohio

Day 2: May 15, Monday

We traveled to Mackinaw, Michigan, stopping every couple of hours for a rest break. 

One of our rest stops was at the Ottawa Lake, Michigan, Gas Station.

We played bingo and watched the movie Somewhere in Time. We also watched Mrs. Robertson, a public speaker; she was hilarious.

Hubby and I split an Italian Sub for lunch at Jimmy John's in Flint, Michigan. 

We stopped at the Pancake Chef Restaurant in Mackinaw City, Michigan, for a buffet dinner. After we ate, we walked around the town, taking pictures, and then headed to our hotel in Saint Ignace, Michigan.

I took pictures of markers in Mackinaw City, including the Iron Horse, Chief Wawatam, The Algoma, Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons, and the village's Merchant Directory. I also photographed Historic Mackinaw City and Mackinaw's First Business District.

The Gateway to Mackinac Island

Mackinaw, Mackinac, or Michilimackinac?
The Mackinac Straits region derives its name from a French translation of the Ojibway name for Mackinac Island, Missilimakinak, where missi (also Michi or Mishi) means great or many, and Mackinac means turtle. Although it has been spelled many times, the most common form is Michilimackinac, which means "the great turtle." With imagination, the Island's profile resembles a great turtle, partially submerged in the lake, with its outstretched neck and head peering out to the west. In the early 1700s, the fur trading outpost on the mainland became known as Fort Michilimackinac, and the Island was abbreviated to Mackinac. The Village of Mackinaw City was incorporated in 1883 with an English spelling that suggests the more common pronunciation of Mackinac. Picture 1:Michilimackinac from Round Island by Major Francis Smith Belton, September 1817, from the Mackinac State Historic Parks collection. Picture: Jonathan Carver's 1767 map identifies Fort Michilimackinac.

Day 3: May 16, Tuesday 

We ate breakfast at the Budget Host Inn in Saint Ignace, MI., then took the bus to the ferry dock. I shopped at the gift shop, where I bought a toboggan to cover my ears on the windy ferry ride to Mackinac Island.

We had a group photo taken at the port after we boarded the ferry.

Our group loaded into two carriages and was taken for a ride around the Island. 

We saw the US Post Cemetery, the Little Stone Church, Fort Mackinac, and the Missionary Bark Chapel. 

We rode through the state park and visited several shops. 

We were told that during the peak tourist season, approximately 500 horses were used to carry goods and tourists throughout the city. Thousands of bicycles are available for rent. No vehicles are allowed on the Island.

We walked inside the Grand Hotel, and blooming were tulips and buttercups on the hotel grounds.

We walked to the Surry Hill Carriage House and walked through the Mackinac Butterfly House.

Hubby and I split a Mushroom Burger and fries at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant. 

We visited the Missionary Bark Chapel, the Little Stone Church, the William Backhouse Astor House, Fort Mackinac, and the Fort Gardens, as well as the Lake View Hotel, Saving Liberty, Marquette Park, the Indian Dormitory, the Home of the Ancestors, and the American Fur Company Store. As we were leaving, we saw 3 Dalmatians leaving the ferry.

We ate fried fish, baked potato, salad, bread, and white cake with strawberry topping at The Galley in Saint Ignace, MI, for dinner.

We loaded back onto the bus that took us to the hotel. 

Mushroom Burger and Chips at the Chuck Wagon, Mackinac Island

The Grand Hotel

State Park Mackinac Island, MI 

View from the ferry of Mackinac Island. 

Day 4, May 17, Wednesday

The next day, we rode the bus to Sault Ste. Marie, we visited the Governor Osborn Memorial and saw several historical markers along Water Street. We saw a giant foot statue. We walked through the US Army Great Lakes Dredge & Locks Site and saw markers, birds, and the SOO Locks. We walked through the Visitor Center and discussed the construction of the Soo Locks. We saw the International Bridge that connects the US to Canada. 

We ate a lousy breakfast at Frank's in Sault, Santa Marie, MI. It consisted of three fried eggs atop Hash browns, smothered in cheese, ham, and sausage, with two slices of toast.

We boarded the bus and rode to the SOO Locks Boat Tour, where we took a boat ride through the SOO Locks on St Mary's River on Lake Huron and Lake Superior. We saw the international bridge that connected the US to Canada.  

We stopped at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. We didn't stay long. 

Boarded the bus and rode to the Driftwood restaurant in Saint Ignace, Michigan. There, we ate fried shrimp, a baked potato with green beans, and custard for dessert. 

We boarded the bus and rode back to the hotel.

Soo Docks & Boat Tours 

Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Day 5: May 18, Thursday

I ate breakfast at the hotel, then boarded the bus and went across the Mackinaw Bridge to Mackinaw to visit Colonial Michilimackinac Fort. We walked through the historic fort, a visit to the past life of a soldier. 

Stopping to take pictures of markers of Michigan's First Jewish Settlers, Fort Michilimackinac, flags of Michilimackinac, Welcome to Colonial Michilimackinac, Crossroads of the Fur Trade, The Community outside the Walls: Suburbs of Michilimackinac, Bateau, Using the land,  Encampment at Pequodenonge, The Anishnaabek, Anishnaabek Home, Michilimackinac State Park & Fort Michilimackinac.   

We rode through the Historic Village of Mackinaw City. Hubby and I split a hamburger and fries at the Keyhole Bar and Grill in Mackinaw City. 

We took pictures around the city, loaded onto the bus, and rode to the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

By this time, those swarming insects(MIDGES) covered everything.

The swarms are midge flies, which look like mosquitoes but don't bite. The bugs are incredibly annoying. Look anywhere, and they are there. Open your mouth, and a few will get in. 

Most people stayed on the bus, but I left and went inside the Light House and Museum.

I took pictures of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Winter at Mackinac, Historic Mackinaw City, and& Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, made to be seen. I also captured images of Colonial Michilimackinac during the Revolutionary War era, as well as Radio Beacon 1937/38 and Welcome to Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. 

Loaded back onto the bus and rode to the Great Lakes Grill in Cheboygan, Michigan. Hubby and I ate a Salad, chicken with rice, shrimp pasta, and butter bread.

Lunch at the Keyhole Bar & Grill, Mackinaw City, MI 

Colonial Michilimackinac Fort

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Day 6: May 19, Friday

Breakfast at the Golden Anchor Budge Inn, Saint Ignace, MI. Room 206 

Everyone loaded onto the bus, and we began our journey home. 

We Stopped at River Walk Mall, a Bavarian Town in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

We ordered a hamburger and fries for lunch at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant. We stayed there for a couple of hours. We saw a covered bridge (Holy Brücke Wooden Bridge).

Schmetterling Mural

Holz Bucke Wooden Bridge 1979

We saw the Schmetterling Murals of Germany on the walls behind the Covered Bridge Shop. Shopped at the Frankenmuth River Place, where we saw an Enchanted Garden and several unique shops. We saw the Bavarian Belle taking people up and down the river. We did not have time to take the boat ride, but we would love to return someday. There was a park there called Christmas Place. We did not stop. (This would be a great place to visit at Christmas.) We stayed the night at the Comfort Inn in Piqua, Ohio. Room 302

Hamburger and fries at the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant

Day 7: May 20, Saturday

Breakfast at the Comfort Inn.

We began our final journey home. 

On our way home, we watched Mrs. Robertson, the public speaker, watch a movie and play games. 

We made several stops along the way, one at the pilot in Pendleton, KY, and another at the Welcome Center in Portland, TN. 

We stopped at Cock of the Walk Restaurant in Nashville, TN, where we enjoyed a platter of Fried Catfish, chicken, and shrimp served with a pan of cornbread, pickled onions, and a large bowl of coleslaw. 

Several people climbed onto the 10-foot-tall rocker for pictures. I climbed up on the rocker for a photo and leaned back, causing the rocker to move, which in turn caused me to fall into it. I rolled over and over, causing everyone to laugh. 

We arrived at the Club, loaded our luggage into the car, and headed home.

We were home at about 6:30. 

Platter of Catfish, Chicken, Shrimp, and fries

10 tall Rocker at Cock of the Walk 

First Class Charter 2911 Prevost Lawrenceburg, TN 
Driver Man