Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Chick Lit Cheerleader: "Mac" attack...plus a special giveaway

When I was a kid, my family and I would go to Barefoot Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for a long weekend with some family friends. My sister and I would spend our days swimming in the pool or lake (or going tubing when we got older) and our nights doing fun activities with other kids our age or going to shows with our parents. There was also shuffleboard! For meals, we'd eat in a big dining hall while being served by waitstaff. I don't think a night would go by where someone in our group of family friends wouldn't spill their drink. It became a running joke after a while.

Today, Chick Lit Cheerleader Jen Tucker is taking us to her favorite vacation spot and she even has a special giveaway to go along with it.

We'll leave her to it....

No Cars Allowed

“You can’t drive on the island, Mike. No cars allowed. I’m dead-serious!”

It was early October in 1998. Our son, Wil, was two-years-old and my ever expanding waistline was the result of waiting for our newest Tucker addition, Ryan. My parents wanted to whisk us away to Mackinac Island for a long weekend. My husband, Mike, had never been.



Mackinac is one of my favorite places in the world. I’ve been ferry hopping over to the island since I was a toddler with ringlets. Although, back then, you rode on the slowest boat, of all boats, that were ever boats and were seasick upon disembarkation. Today’s steady and speedy ferries make the trip more palatable to those who are queasy. The voyage only taking minutes rather than hours. Was that wrong? Should I have said “palatable” and “queasy” in the same sentence? Sorry about that.

Grand Hotel
Exploring the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (UP) was the summer makeup of my childhood. Being the child of Michiganders—Kalamazoo for my mom, Battle Creek for my dad—I have fond memories of the picturesque cities and dreamy towns that dot the state’s glove shaped map. I’ve dipped my toes into the waters of all the Great Lakes. I’ve also failed miserably to learn the art of skipping stones across those same waters. What my grandfather saw as my only epic fail in life—God rest his soul.

Downtown

I was explaining to Mike what visiting the island was like. The fact no cars occupied the island—mind blowing, I know. He has a “look” he shoots my way when he thinks I’m acting a little bit crazy-ridiculous; what I’m saying makes zero sense to him. Wrinkled brow. Squinty eyes. There might be a little Elvis lip curl in there accompanied by the word, “What!?” when he really can’t comprehend what I’m saying.

“What!?” he snarled.
See? Told you he’d say that.
“No cars? Ever!?” he asked defiantly. “I find it hard to believe no cars have ever been on the island, Jen.”
I pondered that challenge. “The movie, Somewhere in Time, was filmed there and Christopher Reeve drove his car up to the Grand Hotel, yet that’s not the day-to-day action on the island. Horses, bicycles, and your feet—only modes of transportation.” He didn’t seem sold. For a guy who hiked the Grand Canyon, he seemed like a stick in the mud about this whole idea an island that could shun Henry Ford’s invention. Then, I gave him my best sales pitch:
“Every other store on the island is a fudge or ice cream shop, so it’s basically paradise.”
“Hmm…And the other shops?” he asked.
“Aren’t fudge or ice cream shops,” I snickered.

Mmmmm...fudge

And we’ve been returning as often as possible for fudge and ice cream with our children ever since. And, yes, there is a lot more to behold on the island than just a sugar rush. The sweet cottages and immense homes that line the bluff. The historic fort and the informative carriage rides. The butterfly gardens and hiking paths that wind through the woods. The tourists who’ve never seen so many horses and lilacs in their lives yet risk it all just to take a selfie in the middle of Main Street. Not the best plan for a picture op where cyclists and horses can’t always come to an immediate halt.

This is one of my happy places. One that fills decades of memories for me that I love sharing with my children and I want to share that island magic with you, too!

My new children’s book, A Visit to Mackinac Island was released on August 1st. Jennifer Powell, an über talented paper crafter, and Mackinac Island aficionado, illustrated the book which takes place on our beloved island—besides names, loving Mackinac and its surrounding cities is something we have in common. I’m packing up to hit the road on tour with Jennifer in northern Michigan and thought I’d bring home some Island for one lucky winner! An autographed copy of our new children’s book, a DVD of Somewhere in Time (the movie filmed on Mackinac), some decadent fudge made on the island, and maybe some other goodies Jennifer and I pick up along the way—you never know. All you have to do to enter is share with me a memory of the island if you’ve ever visited, or tell me about a place you visited as a child that you’d love to spend time again. (Sign up through the Rafflecopter for your entry to count.) Good luck!

XOXO,
Jen

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends August 23rd at midnight EST.

Jen Tucker is the author of the funny and true stories, The Day I Wore My Panties Inside Out and The Day I Lost My Shaker of SaltIn September 2012, she had her children's book, Little Pumpkin published as an e-book. She also blogs monthly for Survival for Blondes. She currently lives in Indiana with her husband, three kids and two dogs. You can find her at TwitterFacebook, her blog and on her website. And in case you missed them. check out her previous Chick Lit Cheerleader posts here.

22 comments:

Jessica said...

Pawleys Island, SC

Bon said...

Gandy's Beach NJ

Bon said...

Gandy's Beach NJ

Linda Kish said...

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee ‎...I thought it was so great there when we visited.

Janine said...

My childhood really wasn't very exciting. We never did anything as a family. Usually summers were spent with friends at their houses or we played by the creek, swimming in it or looking for snakes and other creepy crawlies.

susieqlaw said...

I love spending time at Emerald Isle, NC.

Book Worm said...

When I was a child and all through my teenage years, we would go camping in Moody's Island, Maine. I have such fond memories of my siblings and I, my Mom and Dad (who have both passed). Marshmallows over the campfire, stories galore from my Mom and Dad, just such wonderful memories. I would love to honor those memories by seeing it again.

pailofpearls said...

As a child we didn't go to the beach too much, I do vaguely remember Cape May but nothing too specific about it.

Mary Preston said...

Fond memories of times on the Sunshine Coast.

Jennifer said...

We visited a few beautiful national parks in Eastern Canada when I was younger. I'd love to go back with my own son now.

Jennifer C said...

I was fortunate to live on an island for four years of my childhood - on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, south of the Outer Banks. I loved it so much and love to go back and visit! My husband's family is from Michigan, and he has been to Mackinac. I would love to visit! Excited for your book about it!

Jen said...

I've been to Mackinac Island many times. I have wonderful memories of walking around and enjoying the island, with my brother and sisters and later with my husband and kids. Might be time for a trip back! I'm from the faraway suburbs of Detroit and my little hometown here in Michigan is like a slice of heaven.

Kelly Rodriguez said...

I haven't been to Mackinac Island yet, but we did visit Mackinac City a few weekends ago. It was a one day trip so we didn't have time to go to the island, but we are definitely go there soon!

Unknown said...

Eating icecream in a cone was always a special summer treat.
Fudge is my favorite and the fudge pictured looks yummy

rhonda said...

Coney Island in ny.The beach the rides Nathan's hotdogs😍

bn100 said...

Hawaii

Grandma Cootie said...

Momence, IL with my mom, siblings and grandparents. Sleepy little town about an hour or so from home, picnic tables, river with an island close enough to swim to. Great memories.

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I was there many years ago -- I remember the bridge and the fudge!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

penney said...

This is a new Author for me, sounds very good,love the review thanks
Penney penneyw(AT)sbcglobal(DOT)net

Unknown said...

I grew up in East Tennessee. We spent a lot of time during the summer in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. My dream trip is to go to Mackinac Island.

Kimberlyindy said...

I have never been, but I will get there someday! My family always visited Dietz Lake in Indiana and several of my family members had cabins there and I spent almost the whole summer there when I was a kid. I remember the giant water slide that was really metal with water running down it and homemade strawberry pie at the little store restaurant.

Unknown said...

Thank you Chick Lit Central and Jen Tucker! I can't wait to see the book! My dream vacation would be Mackinac Island. I fell in love with it when I first saw "Somewhere In Time." Plus it's been ages since I saw that movie. I even have a friend named after Jane Seymour's character.

Thank you again! Elizabeth