This post is written for Friday Fictioneers.
PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
Sometimes we waited in line for over four hours to get our car on the boat to take us to the island. The old Chevrolet needed the rest.
Chocolate, horse carts with poop bags hanging from their behinds, and of course the Grand Hotel were the soul of the island. The smell of the island followed you as you walked the city streets.
We never stayed at the Grand. Dad always knew when the last ferry left the island for the mainland. He said one day there would be a bridge to replace the ferries.
Oh Danny Boy! 
Good nostalgia story, Danny. Happy memories are great. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I like the nostalgic feel to this.
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Thanks!
DJ
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Very atmospheric.
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Ha..I almost asked if the bridge was built..and then I looked at your title. 😉
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The old Chevrolet needed the rest. What a delightful view of sitting in line.
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Very evocative of an age and the age of childhood, I think you’ve captured so much in these few words. Nice one
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Thank you!
DJ
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A hint of sadness at the passing of the old ways. Very beautifully written.
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Thanks for the nice words.
DJ
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Delightful story and interesting comments! Sounds the kind of place that would be spoiled by a bridge.
My story – ‘An empty bottle’
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Yes, I read it and liked it very much.
DJ
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I also had to Google the island. A four hour wait certainly takes me to a different era. Your flash had a lovely reflective tone to it of days gone by. Well done.
xx Rowena
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Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by.
DJ
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In paragraph three I don’t understand what the first sentence has do with the second sentence. Do you mean that you didn’t stay at the hotel so you needed to take the last ferry back?
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Yes we loved the hotel but we could not afford to say there. Mostly for the very rich at that time.
DJ
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Enjoyed this. And your Dad was right. That bridge is quite the feat of engineering, too.
Thanks for jogging the old memory cells.😊
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This has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it. I’m afraid I had to look to see where Mackinaw Island was. Well done!
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Now you need to visit. Stay a few days in the U.P. So you don’t have to look that up it stands for the Upper Peninsula. At one time the U.P. wanted to become a state by itself.
🙂 and thanks for stopping by.
DJ
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I have done both coasts, but not the 3rd one. I will make it a point to visit. Thanks! 🙂
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That literally happens in my wee tale, but in a very strange way.
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Oh I hope not. Loved the reminiscent feel and positive approach to the prompt.
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Thanks for the nice comment.
DJ
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Love it up there! And I love the ferry, too 🙂
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Never gets old!
DJ
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For me this story allowed me to see islands all over the world, thank you.
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I’m not sure I’d wait in line for four hours for anything. But maybe I’m just in too much of a rush most of the time.
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Not today anyway.
DJ
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Reminds me of my childhood driving to Kentucky from Ohio back when the Brent Spence Bridge was still a toll bridge. We always crossed the river by a little wooden decked ferry – 1 car at a time. You had to stay in the car because there were no railings and no room to get out. The rule, rain, snow, or shine, windows had to be down… I assume because of the precariousness of the transport. Ahhhh, those were the days… 🙂 ❤
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We were able to get out of our car and go topside. I was always amazed that they could get so many cars on that ferry. Luckily, I don’t recall any capsizing.
DJ
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Nicely evocative. I don’t know about the bridge, though. There may be a good ferry lobby!
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🙂
DJ
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I feel that progress will kill the slow approach… if there are cars there will be bridges…
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Indeed!
DJ
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