Monday - July 28

Very windy today.....we wanted to ride the 8-mile bike road  around the island but with so much bike/horse traffic, decided to do it EARLY.   So, by 8:23, we were on our way and what a delightful ride.   Nice wide path and not many others out and about.    Took us 55 minutes and then back home.   Thoroughly enjoyed this ride and by the time we came back, the crowds were back in force and just growing as the day went on. 

BIG news since I posted the blog last night - our friends Bob, Donna, Michael and Chris from Port Clinton ll showed up last night - they drove (separately) from OH to Mackinaw City and took the ferry over.   What a wonderful surprise!    Bob and Donna are staying with Dennis and Teri; Michael and Chris at the Mackinac House.

Mark got the bike batteries and our headsets charging and then we took off for downtown - the coffee shop lines were LONG, but we remembered the Liberty Bay Cookie Co. on Hessel had a new location here so we went there (Mackinac Island Cookie Co.) which has those huge delicious cookies and my latte but they had no decaf Americano for Mark.   He walked across the street to Doud's for a chocolate milk.   We also shared a cinnamon roll from the cookie company.

Bob and Donna walked down to meet us at the Pink Pony - Donna bought a cap and then we walked on this very nice day but oh so many people out and about! 

Donna and Bob

After lunch Mark and I walked to the Grand Hotel - such a spectacular place!   

The Grand Hotel

Mark resting amongst the flowers

Esther Williams swimming pool

Stopped at Sanders for ice cream and then visited with our Port Clinton marina folks on "Magic" belonging to Teri and Dennis.

The Boat Sisters

Donna, Pat, Teri, Chris

1st time to all be together since we were in Fort Myers in March

12 of us took a carriage ride to The Woods (part of the Grand Hotel) which is literally in "the woods"

for a wonderful dinner - wow....what a neat place.   Unfortunately,, did not get a picture.    Carriage ride to the Iroquois Hotel and the Carriage House bar for after-dinner drinks and more visiting.   A very fun evening!