Overnight accommodations for this event can be made at the Grand Hotel (1-800-33-GRAND), which is offering a special price of $199.00 a night per room (taxes and fees not included). Due to the fact that we will be holding this event during prime season at the Grand, a continental breakfast WILL NOT be included in your room rate. Most rooms at the Grand are furnished with two queen 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 geocaching group to get the above listed rate. There will also be a baggage handling charge of $8.50 per person. 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: Since we will be at the Grand during prime season, you must be dressed in your finest if you plan to walk around the public areas of the hotel after 6:30 pm.

We strongly encourage attendees to stay at the Grand Hotel. The hotel has been quite generous to us for the past thirteen 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 Brian or Liz at the Inn at 1-888-899-3811 for room rates and availability.

There are two ferry lines taking tourists to the island (Shepler's and Star Line). Ferries leave from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Please check their schedules for departure times. Also, please be aware that there are parking fees at the ferry docks.

Most island restaurants will be open for both lunch and dinner. Expect to spend around $13.00 -$18.00 per person for lunch, and about $18.00 -$28.00 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 $13.00 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 the Museum Room for our event, which will be open all day Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday morning. The Museum 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 have coffee, tea, and lemonade available each day. There will also be cupcakes and other munchies available on Wednesday for our attendees. As is our tradition, all attendees will be given a ticket when they sign the event log. This ticket will be used to pick a prize out of our group room. No raffle will be involved in an attempt to reduce a mass gathering of attendees. Our big raffle drawing this year will be a Chinese raffle. You will be able to purchase your tickets all day Tuesday and Wednesday. Proceeds will be used to help offset the costs of hosting the event. You will put your name and phone number on each ticket, and place it in the container in front of the prize that you would like to win. The drawing will be held back at the Grand (Museum Room) at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening. You DO NOT need to be present at the time of the drawing to win, but you will need to be somewhere on the island so that we can get your prize to you.

Most island stores will be open at this time of year. Fort Mackinac will also be open.

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 beginning of September!