The Localized Life: June 2011

Mackinaw Island, Michigan

Today marks the final day of the Mackinaw Policy Conference during which policymakers and business people from the state of Michigan convened (as the name suggests) on Mackinaw Island to discuss strategies for bolstering the state's economy through both legislative and entrepreneurial approaches.

In celebration of people coming together to strengthen our community, I am (finally) posting photos from my own trip to Mackinaw Island, May 10-13. But first, a couple of important details:

Mackinaw Island is located between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and, as with any island, you must take a ferry to get there.
Cars are not permitted on the island (though we did spot a police truck escorting a large construction vehicle during our visit). Instead, horse-drawn buggies, bikes, and foot power are the main forms of transportation.
The island is best known as a hopping tourist destination during the summer, but people do live there year round, receiving supplies by ship.
Though the island was the nation's second national park, it no longer maintains this federal designation and instead a large part of the island is a state park.
The island was the home of the first battle in the War of 1812.
Doud's Market on the main street is Michigan's oldest family owned grocery store (established 1884).