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finding wildflowers on Mackinac Island

Finally! After a long winter, spring is here. Horses soon will return to Mackinac Island. Fort Mackinac will blast into another season of reenactments. And the unique downtown stores and fudge shops will reopen.

Even sweeter than that, the beauty of spring will be on full display with a glorious bloom of native wildflowers along 70-plus miles of trails through Mackinac Island State Park.

Mackinac Island is less than 4 square miles yet has over 70 miles of trails. And on top of that, 80% of the Island is State Park land! Good for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding, the trails crisscross the Island and run along bluffs, over hills, and through the thick canopy of the forest.

When you visit this spring, keep in mind these wildflower-viewing tips from Mackinac Island’s resident botanist, Bogan Lane Inn owner Trish Martin:

• Spring arrives just a bit later on Mackinac Island than in many other parts of Michigan. You’ll see purple, pink and white mayflowers start to bloom around May 20 or so.

Trillium are abundant and you’ll also see Yellow Trout Lily, Spring Beauty, Toothwort, Starflower, Gaywing, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and more. Lady Slippers are among the last spring wildflowers to bloom in mid-June.

Two of the many spots to check out are the Croghan Water wetlands (near British Landing) edged with beautiful Marsh Marigold. Also, around the top of the island near Fort Holmes “it looks like God went out and planted a garden,” Martin says.

Speaking of gardens, Mackinac Island is full of private and public gardens that showcase a wide variety of flora in spring. There are cottage gardens, hotel gardens and even some of the garbage cans are decorated with flowers!

Dog-friendly trip to Mackinac Island

What could be better than a trip to Mackinac Island with your furry friend?

Not only does Mackinac Island feel like a world away. Some of the incredible sights actually look as if they’re out of this world. While there are perfectly natural causes, Mackinac Island’s iconic rock formations are the subjects of supernatural tales as well. Take a look at these must-see sights and let your imagination run wild trying to explain how they came to be. Then, get up here this spring and see them for yourself on a legendary scavenger hunt you’ll never forget.

Arch Rock spans some 50 feet and creates a spectacular window through which to see Lake Huron below. One early observer noted that Arch Rock “might give birth to a thousand wild and fanciful conjectures.” Indeed, it is the stuff of many legends. It came to be known as a bridge to the afterlife, and a portal for spirits to visit earth.

Crack in the Island is a literal break in the island’s limestone base, just deep enough to create a fun photo op while walking through it. According to legend, the crack was formed when the Great Spirit stomped its foot in anger at the first arrival of Europeans. There are even tales about a giant from the underworld being trapped down there!

Devil’s Kitchen is one of the more legendary sights. As the story goes, evil spirits captured and cooked unsuspecting visitors. You can see fiery burn marks on the rock still today!

Friendship’s Altar is a large chunk of rock where a wise teacher once disappeared into the sky on a magic vine, so the legend goes. Unlike the island’s caves, this limestone stack was strong enough to withstand the crashing water, leaving an interesting landmark for today’s visitors.

Skull Cave is blocked off to prevent damage, but still worth a visit to see the place where Alexander Henry famously spent the night next to a pile of human bones!

Sugar Loaf is a 75-foot tower of limestone that’s a striking sight from Point Lookout high above. You also can walk around the base and see if you can make out the profile of a face in the rock.

Sunset Rock is a wonderful spot for a quiet moment with your special someone, offering a marvelous view of the sunset with the Mackinac Bridge as the backdrop. There’s nothing legendary about Sunset Rock, but it is a celebrated spot in the family lore of many couples who have ventured there.

HERE’S YOUR GUIDE FOR A VISIT WITH YOUR POOCH:

Things to Know

Please keep your dog on a leash at all times

Pick up after your dog. Complimentary doggie waste bags are available at the tourism booth on Main Street. Be mindful of horses and bicycles, especially in the busier, downtown area

• Keep your eyes peeled for our sticker that says, “Dogs Are Welcome.” If you don’t see a sticker, please ask if your dog is allowed before entering.

Dog-Friendly Places to Stay

There are three dog-friendly places to stay:

• Mission Point Resort puts you and your dog in the perfect spot to wake up with stunning views of the sunrise. The resort also has the Great Lawn with plenty of room to run and dog-friendly outdoor dining.

You’ll be right in the middle of all the action when you stay downtown at Park Place Suites. With only three rooms, be sure to book early!

To escape the hustle and bustle, stay with your pooch at the serene Sunset Condos on the west end of the island outside of town.

Dogs on the Ferry Ride

Both Mackinac Island Ferry Company and Shepler’s welcome well-behaved dogs on a leash or in a carrier at no additional charge. Dogs also are allowed on the horse-drawn taxi service on Mackinac Island.

Dog-Friendly Things to Do

• Mackinac Island Carriage Tours offers a 1 hour, 45-minute tour with stops at all the must-see places. Small dogs are welcome on your lap. Larger dogs may require a ticket.

• Great Turtle Kayak Tours welcomes dogs who are able to sit still, stay in the kayak and wear a doggy life jacket.

Fort Mackinac has live demonstrations and interactive exhibits in a dog-friendly indoor-outdoor setting.

Mackinac Bik Barn, Mackinac Cycle Bicycle Rental, and Mackinac Wheels have Burley tag-a-long carts that are perfect for dogs to join you on a bike ride!

Shop downtown with your dog. Just look for the dogfriendly window stickers or ask if pets are allowed before entering.

How to get free fudge on Mackinac Island

Here’s

Fudge and Mackinac Island have gone together for nearly 150 years, and many “fudgies” still come to taste the sweet, creamy goodness.

As For How To Make

THE MOST OF YOUR FUDGE-SAMPLING, HERE ARE FOUR TIPS:

Some shops select a few flavors each day for visitors to sample and place them on the counter. In other shops, feel free to ask for a sample of whichever flavors catch your eye.

There’s a lot more to try than just chocolate fudge. There’s chocolate peanut butter, butter pecan, maple walnut, sea salt caramel, vanilla, cherry, butterscotch and so many more. You can even find vegan chocolate!

With so many flavors, it can be hard to pick a favorite. Here’s how to narrow your options. “First decide on chocolate or no chocolate,” says Eden Callewaert, manager of Ryba’s Fudge Shops. “The second decision is nuts or no nuts.” aMACKINAC ISLAND, MI new Irish pub set to open on Mackinac Island this spring is still a few months away from pouring its first pints, but the buzz is already beginning to build.

Don’t be afraid to ask the people at the counter for recommendations. “We love sharing our favorites and helping guests find their favorites, in hopes of turning them into lifelong ‘fudgies,’” Callewaert said.

It was Callewaert’s great-grandfather, Harry Ryba, who coined the term “fudgie.” When Ryba opened a shop on Mackinac Island in the 1960s, he sold fudge in eye-catching pink boxes and started giving customers “fudgie” pins to wear.

Even before visitors were known as “fudgies,” people would come to watch fudge-making in action. It was another fudge pioneer, Rome Murdick, who made a public spectacle of fudge-making.

Still today, it’s alluring to step inside a Mackinac Island fudge shop and see the handcrafted process. Come and be mesmerized by the sight, scent and taste of creamy, decadent Mackinac Island fudge!

Plans are for Patrick Doud’s Irish Pub to not only serve a selection of Irish beer and Michigan craft brews when it opens on Main Street at Michigan’s top tourist destination, but also to offer a little island history. And maybe a surprise or two for its patrons.

Co-owner Andrew Doud isn’t giving away all the new pub’s secrets just yet, but says he thinks locals and visitors alike will enjoy having an Irish and island history-themed gathering spot. It is named after Doud’s great-great uncle, an island contractor known for his work on some of the island’s most recognizable buildings.

“We will have a very Irish pub look to it,” Doud said of the small building currently undergoing a big renovation at 7304 Main St. “You’ll definitely know the history of Patrick Doud when you leave.”

This latest venture also deepens the Douds’ alreadystrong ties to the island. Andrew Doud and his wife, Nicole, own the landmark Doud’s Market, which is the oldest family-owned grocery store in the U.S. Also on their list are the nearby seasonal deli, the Doghouse at Windermere Point and the Little Luxuries retail boutique. They are part-owners of the popular Sip N’ Sail cruises, The Mackinac House bed and breakfast, and the Above Mackinac Condos. Add this all together - and the fact that they’re parents to three boys under 9 - and you can bet they’ve become masters of organization. So, when the opportunity came up to purchase the former Broken Spoke restaurant, Andrew Doud said he and his partner in the project, Dave Pantano, were excited to start hatching their plan.

A Wee Bit O’ Ireland

Renovation on the new pub space began after the close of last fall’s tourist season. Doud said they’re going for a traditional pub feel with dark wood and a new floor. “We took it down to the studs on the walls,” he said. “We tore the bar out and are building a new bar.” The building’s door is being moved back to the middle. The pub will include a full-scale restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eight taps are planned for the bar. They will feature Guinness and Harp, as well as a selection of Michigan craft favorites. A fun addition: Les Cheneaux

Distillers - just an island-hop to the northwill be brewing the pub’s signature Patrick Doud Ale. You can drink it on its own, or have it layered with a pull of Guinness for a proper Mackinac Island black and tan.

The pub team is tapping the talents of local historian Phil Porter, who is the former head of the Mackinac State Historic Parks. This way, patrons will come away with a good feel for the history of the island, a bit of Ireland - and a lot about namesake Patrick Doud.

An Island Legacy

Much like the current generation of Douds, Patrick Doud branched out from the mercantile business and amassed an island legacy that attached his name to many well-known buildings.

In fact, the building being turned into the pub bearing his name is one that he built in 1922.

To watch this new pub take shape, follow along with the renovation photos and history tidbits being shared on the Patrick Doud’s Irish Pub page on Facebook.

His story on the island began around 1884 when he and his brother, James Doud, opened Doud Bros. grocery. Back then, it was located where the Star Line ferry dock now sits. A fire later forced them to move the store to where Doud’s Market now still stands on Main Street. While James Doud stayed with the bustling grocery business, Patrick Doud tried his hand at building houses. His reputation as a contractor grew, according to family history shared on the Doud’s Market website. His projects included the governor’s summer residence, the Windermere Hotel addition, Market Street Inn, and several stately bluffside homes.