Overnight
accommodations for this event can be made at the Grand Hotel
(1-800-33-GRAND), which is offering a special "Early Opening" price of
$165.00 a night per room (tax not included). A continental breakfast is
included in your room rate. Lodging at the Grand will be in the
Millennium Wing (east end) of the hotel, and most rooms are furnished
with two double beds. If you book a room at the Grand, you must mention
that you are part of the "Michigan Geocaching Organization" group to get
the above listed rate. There will also be a baggage handling charge of
$7.50 per person, in addition to a 2% Mackinac
Island assessment fee. There is NO FORM needed to book your
reservation. If you are told this, it is incorrect, and tell whomever
you are speaking with to go check with management. Please be aware that
your credit card is charged at the time that you make your
reservations. NOTE: There is NO DRESS CODE at the Grand at this time
of the year - so don't worry about having to dress up!
For those who might prefer to lodge elsewhere (cheaper) on the island,
some recommendations are listed below:
1) Pontiac
Lodge, which is located downtown - Room are simple, but clean. Please
be aware that all the rooms are on the 2nd floor with no elevator, so
those who have difficulty with stairs would be advised not to utilize
this establishment. The Pontiac Lodge is located downtown,
approximately half a mile away from the Grand. Reservations can be made
by calling 1-906-847-3364.
2) Bogan
Lane Inn,
which is located near the east end of town. This is a small
Bed-and-Breakfast, which offers a quaint atmosphere. Please note that
all of the rooms at the
Bogan
Lane Inn
share a bathroom. The
Bogan
Lane Inn
is about 3/4 of a mile from the Grand. Reservations can be made by
calling 1-906-847-3439.
3) Cottage Inn, which is a newer Bed-and-Breakfast located downtown. It has 11
rooms of varying sizes. Rooms come with a limited breakfast. You can
contact the Cottage Inn at 1-906-847-4000 for room rates and
availability.
At this point in time, we know
that the Arnold Line will be running ferries to the island. Shepler's
may be running their ferries as well, but it is uncertain at this time.
Discount coupons can be printed off of their websites -
www.arnoldline.com or
www.shelpersferry.com . The
Arnold line ferry will ONLY be departing from St.
Ignace. You will need to cross the
Mackinac
Bridge to get to the
Arnold Dock. The bridge crossing now costs $4.00 each way. There are a
limited number of ferries running at this time of the year, so please
plan carefully.
The "Gatehouse" restaurant, which is right down the hill from the Grand,
will be open for dining (for both lunch and dinner), as will the
"Village Inn" (located downtown). A few other places will also be
open. Expect to spend around $10.00 -$15.00 per person for lunch, and
about $15.00 -$25.00 per person for dinner (depending on what you
order).
I highly recommend bringing your own bike, if at all possible. The
ferries charge $8.00 per bike to bring them over on the ferry. There is
a "parking lot" for bikes right across from the Grand, so your bikes can
be parked there in the evening.
The Grand will be providing us with a group room (Heritage Hall) for our
gathering ALL THREE DAYS of the weekend. The group room is on the lower
level of the hotel and can be reached by entering the east end of the
building. We will have a sign up identifying our group. We will also
have coffee and tea available each morning, and will have ice tea and
lemonade available each afternoon. There will also be cake and other
munchies available on Saturday for our attendees. Our raffle drawing
will be held back at the group room at the Grand at 7:00 pm on Saturday
evening. We've got some great prizes to give out, but you must be
present to win. We will also be selling tickets for another raffle
drawing (for larger prizes), and those tickets may be purchased at the
event. Proceeds will be used to help offset the costs of hosting the
event.
Most island stores are closed at this time of year, but a few will be
open.
Fort
Mackinac will not be
open. The Butterfly House will not be open. Last year, several of the
fudge shops WERE open, so I expect that they will be again this year.
If you have any questions about the event, or the island itself, please
feel free to e-mail me at
madelyn@tmrl.net. Looking forward to seeing you all on the island
at the end of April!