Settling In – The First Time 7/24/16

We’ve almost been on Mackinac for a week, and we’ve settled comfortably into the condo in the Mission.  Having stayed here for six weeks last summer, it was easy to slip right back into very familiar surroundings. We knew where everything was, and we’ve been enjoying our views on this end of Main Street.

Mornings find us out on the deck – coffee in hand – watching the island wake up.

That deck is also a great place to be in the afternoon – with a book or newspaper (although I’ve tried to avoid all news from the “outside”).  The other day I was sitting out there, reading, and I heard someone yell, “Hello, Brenda!”  I glanced up to see a man on a bike, waving as he rode by and then disappeared into the Mission Point tunnel of trees.  I’m really not sure who he was, but it was fun that someone knew it was me up there.

Thursday’s Town Crier announced our arrival.  It ‘s always a mystery to me who collects all this information and provides it to the newspaper!

We went to the Little Stone Church today,and it’s there we saw most everyone we know who we hadn’t already seen during the week.  Nothing makes us feel more welcome than to have island friends wrap us in hugs and say, “Welcome home!”

In the week we’ve been here we’ve spent some great times with Patty and Buz, attended a friend’s birthday party, picked up extra bikes for the summer from our former condo’s owners (thank you Cindy and Steve for your continued graciousness), and inspected (twice) the condo we’ll be moving into once it’s finished (where we’ll settle in for the second time).  There’s been a girls day with Jill, Patty, and Sue, trips to Doud’s and the Island Bookstore, and walks with Maddie in Mission Point.

Maddie is loving the cooler weather and enjoying her walks again.  She especially enjoys ending the walks sitting on a Mission Point bench and having admirers stop and fuss over her!  When I walk Maddie alone, I use Bear’s old leash.  Yes, it’s way too big for her, but it makes me feel good to still use it.

There have been so many “Bear moments”.  The other day, when we went after the bikes, we walked up and through the Grand Hotel stable.  From there we’d usually see Denise, who works for Carriage Tours at the Surrey Hill Museum.  She’d always spot Bear at the bottom of that hill and yell for him.  We’d release him from his lead, and he’d go flying up the hill – straight into Denise’s arms as she’d kneel to welcome him. Exact same scenario this week – except Denise was standing there, and there was no Bear to send.  Broke my heart – again. It will get better the longer we’ve been here, but those “first times” are going to be brutal.

Tonight we’re going on a Sip ‘n Sail Sunset Cruise, tomorrow there’s a grocery run off island and a porch party tomorrow evening.  And on Tuesday we pick up Jordan and Matthew at the Pellston Airport.  We can’t WAIT for the two of them to get up here!!  Oh, the fun we’ve got planned!

I haven’t captured the Mission Point beaver family on film yet, but this almost-chewed- through tree trunk proves they’re continuing their building project just off-shore in the Mission.

 

The Pink Pony (in the Chippewa Hotel) has its own exclusive store now (just off the Chippewa’s lobby).  There’s a new logo and a whole new look to their merchandise –  it is awesome!

Sailors fold the sails aboard a tall ship that visited the island this week.  (Photo: Jill Sawatzki)

Mission Point flowers are absolutely incredible this year!

Beautiful beds of day lilies are everywhere. These are in the yard of the condo where we’re staying.

It’s been rainy today, so after church and lunch with Patty and Buz (who leave tomorrow for their home in Oklahoma), we’ve been hunkered down for a lazy afternoon.  It’s about time to get ready for that Sip ‘n Sail Sunset Cruise (I don’t think there’s much chance of seeing the sunset), so I’ll close now.

It’s so good to be on Mackinac for the next three months.  Each time we return there’s always a little moment when I secretly wonder if the island could possibly be as wonderful as I remember it.  And each time the island laughs at me and says, “I’m even MORE wonderful than you remember!”

And it always is.

God bless.