My favorite time of year is the fall not only for the holidays that we celebrate with all its traditions, wonders and treats but because the world seems to slow down. Growing up in a small town, I appreciate the slower pace to living so reason would say that I would love a slower pace to my travels.

A Stroll Through a Simpler Time - image 1 - student project Mackinac Island located in upstate Michigan is home to Fort Mackinac, 13 fudge shoppes, an 8-mile bike track and the Grand Hotel. What makes this island special? There are no cars allowed on the island. Transportation is by ferry, walking, biking or hailing a horse carriage.

As someone with an active imagination, I often create a new story or adventure when I watch movies or read books. In 1980, a movie named "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour A Stroll Through a Simpler Time - image 2 - student project was filmed on Mackinac Island. It transports the viewer back to 1912. After seeing the beautiful of the island and the Grand Hotel in particular I knew this was a place I would want to visit and photograph.

As my constant traveling companion, my mother and I would travel by car from northern Georgia to St. Ignace, Michigan. Here we would spend a day exploring the lighthouses, picnicking on the shores of Lake Huron and shopping. We would then take a ferry over to Mackinac Island where we would stay in the Pine Cottage Bed & Breakfast. While on the island, we would visit the beautiful Grand Hotel with its 600 foot front porch offering plenty of space to lounge the day away with a good book. A Stroll Through a Simpler Time - image 3 - student project

We would bike around the island visiting Fort Mackinac and Arch Rock.

A Stroll Through a Simpler Time - image 4 - student project

Finally, we would shop on Main Street making sure to visit the amazing 13 fudge shoppes located on the island. It's rumored that main street constantly smells like chocolate. After taking the ferry back to St. Ignace, we would travel across the 5 mile Mackinac bridge to Mackinaw City. In Mackinaw City we would visit the remaining lighthouses before returning home.

Erin Brownell

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