Jon,

Made the trip a couple of years ago from 06C (Schaumburg, IL - just West
of O'Hare). About 3:50 up the West side of the lake. The noise abatement
procedure is a bit confusing. They say to "avoid the shoreline". So, do
you fly inside the shoreline or outside? I guessed wrong and tried to
fly inside. Nobody said a word.

I recommend you get fuel on the way in across the channel so you don't
have to stop on the way out. There is no fuel on the island. The airport
is quite a distance (by carriage) from most of the island's attractions.
If you are not willing to spend the money, others suggest staying across
the channel on the "mainland". I preferred to stay on the island.
Everything is expensive. I did not care. I would HIGHLY recommend the
Hotel Iroquois. The service is excellent. Their own restaurant is
perhaps the best on the island for food quality and service (yes, even
better than the Grand Hotel). But you MUST do dinner at the Grand at
least once (figure $200 with drinks). Bring formal clothes for that one.
Staying at the Grand is reported as O.K. - but more expensive than just
about anywhere else.

Now, the horse drawn carriages. Many think they are quaint. Others think
they are somewhat romantic. I found them to be a bit of a pain. To call
one (a "taxi") takes anywhere from 1 minute to 20 minutes depending on
how busy they are. It then takes an additional 20 minutes to get
anywhere. If the weather is the least bit cold, you freeze. Hot, you
roast. I was a pretty avid camper and like living outdoors. But I could
not get into the horse thing. Opinions vary. And, you better like the
smell of horse dung. They have people constantly picking it up, but it
is still everywhere. Again, some don't mind. Others do.

We went on the end of the season (late September) and got lucky with one
day of good weather at 70. The other days were cooler and it rained for
a day. The last day was clear and cool. During the season, the island is
NUTS! There are WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE CRAMMED INTO TOO SMALL A SPACE.
Every day a throng of transient day trippers (called "fudgies") descends
on the island from high speed jet boats and clogs things up quite well.
I believe you are going "during the season", so it may be cramped.

I thought the trip was well worth the expense. It was a neat adventure.
I probably have had my fill for some years though.

Good Luck,
Mike
Jon Kraus wrote:
The wife and I are contemplating a trip up to Mackinac Island, Michigan
the last weekend in August. Have any of you been there (flown or
otherwise)? If so any recommendations for lodging , eats, etc...

I looks like it will be a really neat flight up there and it is kinda
like stepping back in time.

I lived in Michigan for 18 years and never made it out of the Lower
Peninsula. Thanks!!

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
'79 Mooney 201
4443H @ TYQ