Labor Day weekend found my family making the 7.5 hour drive from Indiana up the length of Michigan to Mackinac Island. This was our fourth visit to the island, but the first time we didn’t have an infant or toddler. We laughed and hiked and biked and shopped and had an all around great time connecting. This summer we hadn’t been able to get away, all six of us, so this was my desperate attempt to squeeze in a few days, knowing that someday soon those will be very hard to come by. The best sign was the way the kids started talking on the drive home about when we’d go back. Love it!
The Island Bookstore on Mackinac had a stack of Deadly Secrets on Mackinac Island on the shelves, so of course I offered to sign them. After chatting with the manager a bit, I got her contact information and a copy of Delayed Justice is in her hands now. If you ever find yourself on Mackinac, I highly recommend spending some time in that charming spot. So many great books!
This is my clan. It’s hard to believe that the first time we visited our oldest was four and the tall kid on the right was one — and not a fan of riding the burly cart. Now everyone could bike around the island. Best story: someone asking how long the bike ride is: 8.2 miles. They looked at the clerk and asked, and how far is it if you go the other direction? (Insert face palm–and no, it was no one in my family 🙂 ).
For such a small island, there is so much natural beauty. I don’t think I could ever get tired of escaping there for a long weekend. The above photo is of Arch Rock.
The homes on the island are beautiful like this one. From the first visit I started thinking about the type of book I could write set there. It ended up being a romantic suspense, with the heroine being a lawyer who’s been called back home. I think it would be the perfect place for a romantic comedy, too.
My favorite photo, from our pause on the bike ride. There is something peaceful about getting out of the high tourist area and onto the back side of the island. The traffic is very light, and the peace of the waves crashing against the rocks immense.
Have you ever visited Mackinac Island? Where’s your favorite place to escape? In the spirit of escaping, I’m giving away a copy of Carrie Stuart Park’s latest romantic suspense Fragment of Fear. Just use the form below to enter.
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We like to go camping. There is a place owned by friends on the banks of the Tippecanoe River that we like. It is isolated and beautiful with the river sounds and the stars at night. Very relaxing. We cook over the fire and I read and write. My husband even does the dishes! What more could I want?
My favorite getaway is visiting family in Arkansas; however, it’s a two-day drive so it would be a very long weekend. I do like to drive the backroads in Lancaster County, PA. Your vacation sounded amazing and the pictures were great! Thanks for sharing!
My favorite get away place is really anywhere w/ family. I especially like when we go somewhere not too touristy and near water. I live in Michigan so have been to Mackinac several times and you are right, it is a beautiful place to get away
I’ve not been there, but it looks like a lot of fun. One of my favorite places to go for a long weekend is Galena, IL. The scenery is beautiful, the downtown is fun with a bunch of cool shops, and the history (President Grant’s home) is really interesting. It’s a fun place to visit!
My friend has a riverside cabin in the North Georgia mountains, and it’s one of my favorite places to visit. So beautiful, relaxing, and fun!
I have never been to Mackinac Island but I would love to go someday! My favorite place to escape has been a small town not far from us, Clear Lake, Iowa. I also enjoy trips to warm places in the winter since I live in the Midwest–like Arizona or a warm beach.
I have never been to Mackinac Island but it looks beautiful! I love to go to the mountains or the beach, really anywhere I can get away from technology and just get outside and spend time with my family.
I went to Mackinac Island with my parents when I was a young girl and consequently don’t remember much of what we did. I do remember buying some hard candy at a shop. A friend has just gone there on a Road Scholar trip and loved it! Before long, my husband and I would like to go there also on a Road Scholar trip (planned, educational trip for seniors). Your photos were excellent!
My favorite place to escape for a long weekend is to Georgetown, TX, north of Austin. Since one of my friends lives there, two others of us who taught together at the same school, drive up to stay with her for a long weekend. While there we chat to catch up on each other’s lives, read, watch movies, go for walks, eat in and out, rest, and generally just enjoy being together.
Since we live in a very small rural town, when we want to take a long weekend we go to Springfield, MO. It’s about 3 hours from us. Although it’s a big town, it’s very easy to get around in. It doesn’t have all the cloverleaf ramps and multiple lanes like Little Rock does. It’s big enough that there is always something to do plus there are lots of shops and antique stores we love to visit as well as the botanical gardens that are a joy to walk through.
This island looks lovely! How fun! And those days of children at home FLY by, so glad you are enjoying. 🙂 We love exploring Washington state. So many beautiful islands. Whidbey is one of our favorites. And Victoria BC, just went there with my cousin and we had a blast.
Would love to visit the island! My favorite happy place is the beach!! With ALL of my family. We all love going to the beach and staying in a big house together. My children are all grown but we still love spending that time together under one roof.
I have been fascinated by Mackinac Island ever since I saw the movie Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. Always wanted to visit but haven’t had the chance. I will have to read your book. The pictures of your family are wonderful – such good memories.
Our favorite place to relax is Bar Harbor – Acadia National Park, boat trips around the islands, whale watching, and relaxing in the Great Room of our hotel each night listening to our favorite piano player.
Looks like a great place to visit! Thanks for hearing your pictures, and for the giveaway.
A cabin by the lake
I actually avoid traveling on holiday weekends! I guess it would be to my daughter’s in western Tennessee or to Branson. (I can stay longer and miss the traffic.) Mackinac Island is on my bucket list but it’s more than a long weekend trip..
I LOVE the island!! I live near Marquette, MI, so have been there many times, most of those being as a participant at the Win-Some Women Retreats at Grand Hotel. Have you ever heard of these retreats? They are amazing and totally wonderful! Can’t wait to read your book – some of my favorite stories are ones that take place on the island. Blessings to you, Cara!
My favorite place to escape to is the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee!
I have really enjoyed visiting Mackinac Island! I’ve been several times and have biked and walked around the perimeter. I think my favorite place to get away is Door County Wisconsin. I’ve gone there with different friends and family over the past several years, a great place to hike or chill!
My husband and I like to take little road trips and explore places around us so anywhere he takes me is my favorite place to escape. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
We absolutely loved Mackinaw Island and certainly be very happy to return for a longer visit this time! Thanks so much for the giveaway. 🙂
I love visiting both Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City. I grew up in Michigan and I very been to the Island many times. It’s the perfect place for a getaway.
My parents had their honeymoon there almost 60 years ago, and returned for one of their anniversaries. We have photos of rather skinny newlyweds on the beach!
My favorite place to visit on a long weekend is reading in a comfy chair.
Sounds like a fun adventure for your family! My th and I enjoyed camping at the beach in August. We took our first long road trip last year without kids, visiting national parks we had never seen. It is nice to be able to get away, isn’t it?
Typo…oops…my ‘dh’ (dear husband), not ‘th’.
I love sitting on the porch of the Grand Hotel while watching the activity around me and down from me. Of course something to drink in my hand is good too.
My favorite place for a getaway would be the Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
I went to Mackinac Island with my son’s sixth grade class trip. I got to be a chaperone. He is now 47 years old! I would love to go back. We were living in Wisconsin near the UP. It is a magical place. I love the history!
I like to escape to reading a book or doing a puzzle
Mackinac Island is on my bucket list. Have to save a bit of money to enjoy. 😉
My getaway is a beach. I moved from Texas (where I was always close to the beach) to Indiana a year ago. Lake beaches are a little different, but they are closer/easier to find.
Thanks for the opportunity of a giveaway! 👏
Up in the mountains of Colorado to get away from people and noise. We used to do for walks when we were younger. My husband’s health doesn’t allow him to get out much.
I miss Mackinac! Being a former Michigander, the island or Traverse City were fave spots. Now just getting back to Michigan from Iowa for a long weekend to see family is a favorite.
I have been to the island many times! We did the 8mile race with the kids one year. That was amazing! We hope to do it again. I love the cemeteries up there since they are old and have such neat headstones to read.
I like to go down the freeway to San Diego to hang out at the zoo and safari park. They are my old stomping grounds from when I lived down there. I also like to go to Las Vegas but I need money to go there and that’s been in short supply lately.