Yacht Race 1

Bright and early last Saturday morning, I snapped the first few yachts that I saw coming under the bridge from Chicago. This was nearing the finish line for the 101 st Chicago to Mackinac Island Yacht race.

About thirty minutes later, fog started rolling in from the east just as I saw this yacht coming under the bridge. If you notice, the fog is not rolling onto the road side of the bridge. It appears to be sneaking under the bridge to bring a challenge to the sailors.

By late morning, the fog had dissipated and the yachts continued to come sometimes in groups, other times solo.

Last year I commented on the fact that I was disappointed the sails of the yachts were all in beige...nothing has changed. I saw only one red sail. To me, the colorful sails are stunning next to the beautiful blue water. I think I would rather have a colorful sail if I were sailing the big lakes (NOT VERY LIKELY!) because if anything should happen, it would be easier to spot a bright red sail in the water than it would to spot a beige sail. However, beige or red sails, I still enjoy the site of these yachts coming under the Mighty Mac.

Come See The Tall Ship

Come and see the tall ship Welcome docked here for the next few weeks. This sloop is a replica of the original sloop Welcome that was used by the British to relocate from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island in 1780. The Welcome made several voyages from mainland to island until sinking in 1781. The Welcome is believed to be resting on the floor of the Straits of Mackinac. All of the journals of the voyages are still in tack and are archived.
Tours are available this weekend as are sails. This is an incredible piece of history to revisit. I think I will go aboard this weekend. 

Here's Alvin

Alvin was running around the other morning and he finally held still long enough for me to snap his picture.

Destress Yourself

This guy has the right idea for destressing..Pick a rock where there is no one around you and just sit. No phone...or anything else to distract you.

He Is Watching

God is watching us...see?

Do You Believe?

Early yesterday morning I heard the street sweeper. I raced to get my camera. Why? Because I discovered what Santa does in the summer..he works for Mackinaw City's DPW. I can prove it too. Take a look at these pictures.
I decided to take another picture when he came down the street again. Much to my surprise, he must have seen me and whoosh..like magic...he disappeared!
So, for all of us kids out there, there is a Santa and he lives in Mackinaw City in the summer. Do you believe now?

Another One

This morning, by the laundry room...surprise! Eliza was there and she was not happy to be disturbed. In case you don't remember, bats are a fact of life here so I name them like the weather bureau names hurricanes...alphabetically. This morning, Eliza made her debut. She has gone into hiding somewhere on site and we have yet to "find" her again. I sure hope we find her before she appears again to our housekeepers...they have extremely high pitched screams.

Now There Are Two

Just thought I'd bring you up to date on ALVIN. I had noticed that in the past few weeks he was overly busy...making a nicer home and checking out one of our rooms. Now I understand why. Alvin got married to Clarisse. They moved in under our sign and appear to be quite happy. I see them running around together all the time. I'm trying to take a picture of them. But, they are quick little things.I will not give up! One day they will be sitting still (perhaps enjoying a sunset?), and I will snap the picture, you just wait and see.

Strange Things Happen In Threes

I have already told you about Alvin the chipmunk visiting our cleaning staff. Well, it seems that was the beginning of a strange day. The day started with Alvin, event number one.
Event number two happened after I had checked-in a guest. The guests went upstairs to their bridge view room. About five minutes after they were in their room, I received a call from them telling me that there is a weird buzzing noise in there room. I went up to investigate. We looked at the alarm clock,nothing. Checked the smoke detector, nothing. Humm..the noise sounded familiar. I decided to check the laundry room to see if the timers were turned on the dryers...nothing. Where was the noise coming from? As I was on my way back upstairs, they stopped me with the news that they had solved the mystery. Her electric toothbrush was turned on inside her luggage. No wonder the noise sounded familiar!
Event number three happened to Lynn. He noticed a young man running from the beach, across the pool deck and up the back stairs. He then started to climb up the balcony railings. Lynn asked him what he thought he was doing and he replied that he was climbing onto the roof to retrieve his kite. Lynn told him no, just wait and the wind will blow the kite down. Sure enough, the wind did blow the kite down. Would you endanger yourself by climbing up onto a second floor roof for a kite?
People, it was just a strange day running a motel.

ALVIN!

This morning I was in the lobby assisting guests and our housekeeping staff was busy cleaning rooms on the ground floor. All of the sudden I heard a scream followed by the slamming of a door. Apparently,the staff was cleaning the room with the door open and Alvin decided to come in and check out the place. The young woman working in the bathroom was the first one who was paid a visit by the furry chipmunk.
It was her scream that made her helper take notice of Alvin. He went out to get a broom while she barricaded herself into the bathroom. Alvin did a quick check of the room and bolted out the door. I guess this incident must have scared him. I never saw Alvin for the rest of the day and I hope that he learned it is not nice to sneak upon people like that!

Wierd Weather

I must apologize to all of you for not posting some pictures of gorgeous sunsets or beautiful sunny days. The truth is that we haven't had hardly any in the past couple weeks. It has been gray, and chilly. Last nights low was in the mid forties. But today it promises to be a beautiful Fourth of July. It is sunny, blue skies and the high is expected to be in the mid sixties.It is a wonderful day to get out and get moving and that is exactly what I am going to do. So much for global warming!