Sunset at Mill Creek Campgrounds

On our last night in Mackinaw City we had a spectacular sunset.

Waiting on the Boat

Here we are waiting on our boat ride back off this very awesome island. We are both sad to be leaving but we both plan to make coming here in the future a regular thing to celebrate our engagement.

High Tea at the Grand Hotel

We decided to have High Tea at the Grand Hotel before we left Mackinaw Island for the last time. What a spread.

Fort Mackinac

Mom and Dad came over again for lunch and we all went up to see Fort Mackinac. Hmmmm.. what a bunch of hams.

The Horses

The next morning while walking around the island we ran into our driver Molly from the previous day. We thought we would get a picture of the horses from the front. :-) They are Misty and Smokey.

Cupola Bar

Amy and I ended our perfect evening at the Cupola Bar at the very top of the hotel. We had drinks and watched the sunset. It is hard to believe that I am now engaged to such a wonderful woman.

Five Course Dinner

A full five course dinner and breakfast was included as part of our room. I had venison chops and Amy had rabbit stew. Everything was excellent.

The Ring

Now that is some serious bling!

Romance Package

I got the champagne as part of a romance package from the Grand Hotel. The rest of it was waiting for us in our very loud hotel room. Large Yellow Roses? Man!

Drinks to Celebrate

Now that Amy and I are engaged Molly pulled out the bottle of champagne that I had arranged to have on the carriage ride. Thanks Molly and the folks at the Grand Hotel for all of your help in making this moment one Amy and I will never forget.

The Answer!

SHE SAID YES!!!

The Question!

We stopped at Look out point and I got out so that Molly could take a picture of us and decided to pop the question there. The top picture showing my face was taken by another couple who witnessed the proposal. They very nicely sent me a copy of their picture once they got home.

On the Ride

We are now on the carriage ride and the driver, Molly, was very nice. She and Amy hit it off right away so even though Amy now knows I booked a private tour she stills does not seem to suspect my cunnning plan.

Waiting on our carriage ride

Once we got there my plan began to unfold. The concierge said, "You two have a carriage ride scheduled." Uh oh. I was afriad that Amy would have me figured out but while waiting in the huge porch she said, "I want to ride up front so I can ask questions". YES she thinks we are going on a group tour. :-)

The Grand Hotel

We get our first look at the very beautiful Grand Hotel. Look at those tulips. Wow.

Amy is in Love

Amy felt right at home as soon as we got on the island. Horses everywhere!

On the boat to Mackinaw Island

Amy and I being wind blown on the way to Mackinaw. That wind is cold!

Bill gets his due

We threw Uncle Bill in the Lake!

Family

This is of Brian, Amy, Elizabeth and John on the look out tower at the porcupine mountains. This was a new trail that we did not do last time. What a view! 142 steps up and 7 down. Uncle Bill lied!

Porcupine Mountains

We took my parents on the hike through the Porcupine mountains that Amy and I went on when we were there last time.

Roasting Marshmallows

We spent two days at Shingles with Andrews. The first night we had a fire down by spider lake and roasted marshmallows. In the background you can see the dogs Gus and Jessie. Gus was determined to make Jessie his girl friend much to the amusement of the crowd and to Jessie's disgust.

Paul Bunyans

We had a massive breakfast family style with pretty much all of Amy's family at a place near Mercer, Wi called Paul Bunyan's. They just keep bring out food until you yell UNCLE!!!