Tuesday - July 29

 Nice sunny start to the day.    Mark went to Watercolor for coffees and then we walked to Doud's Grocery for some of their yummy chicken salad, pasta salad and other goodies.   Brought our stuff home to put away.   Along the way, we saw Michael and Chris who were coming to say good bye as they were driving for Port Huron to see the status on "Journey", their boat that had the oil issue in Tobermory.  

 We walked to the Iroquois Hotel (Carriage House) for our 11:00 reservation for brunch.    This is such a beautiful place and 10 of us had a lovely table by the water with striped umbrellas (all connected) overhead.   We ordered drinks, then our meals (breakfast or lunch) and all having a good time....and then a few sprinkles?   But we "thought" we were protected cause after all, it wasn't supposed to rain?   Well, after a few bites of our food, it got heavier and oh my.................a real gully washer.   We grabbed plates and drinks and headed inside as fast as possible along with other diners.    The staff was so accommodating and set us up with a nice table.   Wow....that was quite a memory, but we all loved our food/drink.

My lobster benedict and spinach salad

We posed afterwards and a nice family from Peoria, IL  took our picture.

Andy, JoBeth, Mark, Pat, Bob, Donna, Teri, Dennis, Chris, Dave

Missing Michael and Chris

After brunch and the sun came out, we walked back to our boats - Mark and I took a short nap and then revived for a walk to The Arch.   It's 207 steps to the top.   We only went 40  and called it good!

Bought a water at Boxwood (coffee/ice cream shop in the Mission Point Inn) and then I browsed around the gift shop "Cherished Memories".   

Stopped at St. Anne's church - 350 years of Christianity here on the island.   It is beautiful.  There are 20 year-round parishioners and 80 in the summertime.

The history

View from 40 steps

Mission Point Inn

These "snowballs" are everywhere on the island - a form of hydrangea

View of St. Anne's from "Magic"

 We have done sooo much eating since we arrived on Mackinac Island (well, for us almost 5 weeks since we started this vacation).    So tonight we each brought an appetizer to "Magic" and enjoyed another gorgeous (and last) evening together.    Chris and Dave brought over delicious brats, baked beans and sweet potato casserole.   And then they went back to their boat and returned with Brandy Alexanders - oh my!!!!

Delicious and made with Tofts ice cream from Port Clinton

Teri and Dennis

Chris and Dave

Andy and JoBeth

Bob and Donna

Pat and Mark

These gals (one from Ecuador and the other, Spain) were paddleboarding near "Magic" - Chris asked if they would like a Brandy Alexander - they had never heard of that drink.....but sure enjoyed it!

August 28, 2008, we ate with Philip and Annette at the Carriage House in the Iroquois Hotel

and today, we had brunch there (and then the deluge came)

Notice....17 years ago, we were wearing jackets!!!

Our last night on Mackinac Island - such a magical place.....tomorrow, we all move on - Mark and I will be heading to Presque Isle where Teri and Dennis have a cabin.   Bob and Donna will join us and hopefully?   Michael and Chris

A few photos from last night at The Woods

The dining room before it was totally full

Carriage ride back 

Dennis, Teri, JoBeth and Andy

Mark, Pat, Donna, Bob

So very sad to hear about Ryne Sandberg's (Chicago Cubs star 2nd baseman - #23) death yesterday.    What a legend he was - I was a big fan back in the day.    Our Anne loved Ryno and followed him with a passion.   Liam and Connor met Ryno a few years ago - they were in a store near Wrigley Field and he was buying a gift for his grandchild.