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 $190.00 a night per room (tax not included). A continental breakfast is included in your room rate. Lodging at the Grand is generally in the Millennium Wing (east end) of the hotel, and most rooms are furnished with two double beds (and can accommodate up to four people). 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 $8.50 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!

We strongly encourage attendees to stay at the Grand Hotel. The hotel has been quite generous to us for the past eleven years, and they've done a wonderful job providing us with a group room and refreshments for everyone. However, for those who prefer to lodge elsewhere on the island, some recommendations are listed below:

1. Pontiac Lodge, which is located downtown - Rooms 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 very 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. Market Street Inn, which is a small Bed-and-Breakfast located downtown. It has 9 rooms of varying sizes. You can contact Kristen at the Inn at 1-888-899-3811 for room rates and availability.

There are now only two ferry lines taking tourists to the island (Shepler's and Star Line). Ferries leave from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.

There will be several restaurants open for both lunch and dinner. 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). You may also pick up munchies/salads/sandwiches at Doud's Market, which is located on Main Street at the east end of town.

I highly recommend bringing your own bike, if at all possible. The ferries charge $10.00 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. Bike locks are recommended.

The Grand will be providing us with two group rooms (Museum Room and Heritage Hall) for our gathering, which will be open all day Friday and Saturday. The group rooms are 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 be spreading out over two rooms this year so that there is less congestion and more room to move around. We will have coffee and tea available each morning, and will have ice tea and lemonade available each afternoon. There will also be cupcakes and other munchies available on Saturday for our attendees. Our raffle drawing will be held back at the group rooms 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. Raffle tickets will be given out that evening when you return to the hotel. 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. Last year, a few 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!