Okay, so I'm still on my cross country trip and happy to report that I am not killing my friend yet, but leaving her at one of the 10 rest stops she needs every day has occurred to me. Like all things challenging, I need to look on the bright side of our incredible friendship that has survived boyfriends, marriages, children and lots of jobs, so travel is just a piece of cake. What better place to stop and smell the roses (and lilacs) than Mackinac Island, this incredible resort in northern Michigan, right near the Canadian border. It is out of the way on a typical cross-country trip, but this anything-but-typical island is well worth the mileage. It has horse drawn carriages and the most beautiful lilac trees literally everywhere. With less than 4 square miles and about 500 permanent residents, it has the same feel as Martha's Vineyard and is as much fun for kids as for adults. Whether you can afford to stay at The Grand Hotel or not, it is worth a visit and...(
more)