July has gone by so quickly I'm unsure of where it went. Between the kids and the in-laws it seems like everyday is just filled and goes by and another comes with it's challenges.
One of the funnest things I've done this summer was the week spent at the Mackinac Island Scout barracks cooking for the Boy Scouts who serve on the island. #3 is a Boy Scout and almost an Eagle Scout. #1 is an Eagle Scout but at 20 is no longer involved.
Mackinac Island is such a charming place. The path to get there includes going accrossed the huge suspension bridge that links Michigan's upper and lower penninsulas. Then there is a 30 minute ferry ride to get over to the Island.
There are no cars or golf carts allowed on the Island so the transportation is all about the horses or bikes. The horses that pulled all our luggage and food up the the Scout barracks were amazingly strong. I loved hearing the clip clop of there hooves on the cement. They often leave a mess on the road, but there are people with shovels that take care of it right away.
Mackinac Island was having their annual lilac festival the week we were there. The lilacs were beautiful and smelled even better. This view is from the Mackinac Island Fort Ramp, the downtown area is off to the right.
The Boy Scouts put the flags up at 9 AM and take them down at 6 PM. There are quite a few flags around the Island and they are all taken down at exactly the same time, after the evening cannon booms. This view is of the fort ramp, the flags are from a variety of countries. #3 is behind the flag pole. The boys also have many posts around the Island where they stand and answer questions for the tourists or give directions. Two of the Scouts pushed a handicapped person up and down the ramp so that they were able to see inside the fort. It was a very proud moment to hear they volunteered to do that. There were quite a few proud moments that week as the boys really went above and beyond what was expected of them.
The Boy Scouts put the flags up at 9 AM and take them down at 6 PM. There are quite a few flags around the Island and they are all taken down at exactly the same time, after the evening cannon booms. This view is of the fort ramp, the flags are from a variety of countries. #3 is behind the flag pole. The boys also have many posts around the Island where they stand and answer questions for the tourists or give directions. Two of the Scouts pushed a handicapped person up and down the ramp so that they were able to see inside the fort. It was a very proud moment to hear they volunteered to do that. There were quite a few proud moments that week as the boys really went above and beyond what was expected of them.My cooking partner and I spent from 6:30 AM until around 8:00 PM at the barracks cooking and preparing for the next meal. My favorite thing was making brownies, cookies & rice krispie treats. LOVE feeding those hungry teenage boys. Saturday we went home and I was exhausted. I went to bed 7 PM Saturday night, slept in until 10:30 Sunday morning and then took a nap Sunday afternoon.
This was my second year and it is my hope to go back again next year.
