MACKINAC ISLAND

Mackinac Island always is fun. Watching the men in soldier's garb shooting muskets at the fort, butterfly houses, historic buildings, the clip-clop of horses and the whir of bicycle tires. And yes, a sense of romance. If Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour could find it at the Grand Hotel in the movie "Somewhere in Time,`` maybe you can too.
Did I forget the fudge. Yes, you can get lots and lots of fudge. Not only in different flavors, but in different colors. However I personally dislike the lilac colored fudge turned out for the annual festival.
2006 EVENTS
Summer events are like horse-drawn carriages on the island. They seem to show up all the time.
The summer's big wow is the Lilac Festival. It runs from June 9-18. You get parades, a dog and pony show, concerts and this year, a drive-in movie. Actually it's a sit-on-the-lawn movie, since no cars are allowed on the island.
Just to pick a few of the other high times on the schedule. The 98th Annual Yacht Club Race from Chicago to Mackinac is on July 22. So is the old-time baseball game where players wear tiny mitts, moustaches and fans are expected to yell "Huzzah.`` The Grand Hotel will runs its annual jazz festival over Labor Day weekend and its Somewhere in Time weekend Oct. 27 to 29 where fans of the movie come, dress in early 20th century costumes and dream of romance.
The island's Halloween Festival is that same weekend, on Oct. 28.

For details on these and other events, check the Mackinac Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking of the Grand Hotel (which I was) everyone usually wants to know how much it costs to stay at one of the last of the great wooden hotels. Prices start at $210 per person for a pretty tiny room. But you get a full and wonderful breakfast and a five-course dinner for that price. If you stay in one of the fancier rooms, say in a suite named for one of the first ladies, the cost jumps to $330.



TO AND FRO

In 2006, the three ferries running from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to the island will all cost about the same. The ferries are Arnold Line, Shepler's Mackinac Ferry Line and Star Line. For web site links, see below. For the round-trip, $20 for adults, $10 ($10.95 on Shepler's) for ages 6 to 12 and $0 for ages five and younger. The charge for a bike is variously $6.50, $7 or $7.50 depending on the line.
For the most part, they will run from spring to early June at about one-hour intervals and coming back the same. Starting in early June until Labor Day, all three will run more or less every half hour to and from the island. Some discounts are available on the ferries' websites listed below.
The crossing typically takes 16 to 18 minutes.
You also can fly to the island from St. Ignace's airport. Call Great Lakes Air at 906-847-7165. The flight takes 10 minutes.

Each ferry has distinguishing characteristics and two of them offer cruises.

Star Line ferries have the distintive rooster tails kicked up behind by the hydro jet boats.

Shepler's Ferry offers a number of special lighthouse tours complete with meals. The Eastbound Cruise starts with a pass under the Mackinac Bridge then runs east along the straits and eventually entering the Cheboygan River before returning. It passes five lighthouses. The Westbound cruise goes under the Mackinac Bridge out into Lake Michigan and passes four light houses. Prices, including meals, are $49.50 for adults and $$37.50 for ages five to 12. Also Shepler's will offer three full-day cruises to St. Helena Island, which has a lighthouse. Passengers can get off and wander around the island. These will be on July 12 and August 3 and 5.

Arnold Line, or more officially the Arnold Transit Co., will be running evening cruises at 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday from June 17 to Sept. 2. They run out toward the sunset over Lake Michigan, passing under the Mackinac Bridge. A similar cruise will run from St. Ignace on Fridays from 8:30 to 10 p.m. from June 16 to August 18. Price: $15.

In addition look for Blues Cruises with a live band on June 16, July 14 and August 18, leaving at 7 p.m. from the Mackinac City north dock. Price: $25. Folk Rock Cruises, with a live singer, at 6 and 8 p.m. on June 30, July 21 and August 11. Price: $15.