On Sunday you read about Kim and R.D.’s first-time visit to Mackinac. Today it’s all about Debra and Glen!
Debra and Glen Phelps
As someone who came to the island for the first time over 15 years ago and has cried like a baby as I’ve left each year since then, I can recognize a total convert to Mackinac-ism in an instant. Debra learned about the island from reading this blog and has wanted to come up here for years. She came, she saw, she fell in love – hook, line and sinker. When she tried to book a room for next summer before they had even checked out from this visit, I knew I had a true-blue Mackinac fan on my hands! Debra’s husband Glen is “almost” as Mackinac-in-love as Debra, and that will make for a very happy family over the coming year, as they plan their next trip.
Debra’s beautiful photographs have captured a vast segment of Mackinac’s beauty, and her words from her Facebook page tell the story of her island trip much better than I could. From this point on, I’ll use Debra’s words:
Debra and Glen Phelps
“Mackinac Island is as beautiful and unique as I expected! It is like going back in time . . .
. . . with the town, “cottages”, horses, carriages and bicycles (no cars allowed).”
“The temperature today only reached a high of 70 degrees.” (Spoken in amazement by a true Georgia girl!)
“And the gardens and Lake Huron are gorgeous.”
“We toured the one and only opulent Grand Hotel today.”
“Many famous people have stayed here since it opened in 1887. Somewhere in Time was filmed here. The pool is named after Esther Williams because she swam in their pool in a movie that was filmed here (This Time for Keeps).”
“The pictures don’t do it justice. The porch is the longest in the world (660 feet). Glen liked the rocking chairs on the porch best.”
“More pictures of Mackinac Island . . . the cottages . . .
. . . flowers . . .
. . . the Grand carriages . . .
. . . Lake Huron . . .
. . . and the beautiful Arch Rock formation. Everything is truly beautiful.”
“Today the Hortons (who are in very good shape), the Harters (who can ride a tandem bike in total unison) and Glen and I (who are very out of shape) rode bikes on the 8.2 mile bike/horse road that completely circles the outer edge of Mackinac Island.”
“The sin was shining, the wind was blowing and the gorgeous lake waves were rolling in. We stopped for a photo at Devil’s Kitchen.”
“Exercise is fun in this weather and when surrounded by such beauty.”
“Yesterday we visited Grand Hotel where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed. On the bike ride today, Ted showed us the tree from the scene where Elyse first saw Richard and she said, ‘Is it you?’ Here Glen and I are standing in front of that tree.”
“Brenda took me to the staircase at Grand Hotel where Richard ran down to meet Elyse when she was calling him.”
“As I was walking Tessa this evening I noticed the city buildings and churches are historic, in keeping with all else on Mackinac Island. This is Little Stone Church where Brenda and Ted attend.”
“Notice that even police ride bikes!”
“Today it rained on Mackinac. But it did not keep anyone from continuing to enjoy this paradise. Glen and I went on the “once a week” tour of the Governor’s Cottage this morning. Because of the rain and the very steep hill that it sits on, we took a taxi which is a horse drawn carriage. Glen and I are standing on the porch of the Governor’s Cottage, which has been used by Michigan governors and their dignitary and presidential friends for many years.”
“Later in the day, when the rain broke, I walked up and down ‘our street’ and took some more pics. This is the rental horse stable, ‘Cindy’s'”.
“When we got back to Park Place Suites, Tessa and I were sitting in our courtyard and the ‘garbagemen’ came in a horse drawn dray! I do love this place!”
“Tonight’s walk took me to the end of our street that runs into Lake uron and gave me the opportunity to admire the Mackinac Bridge at night.”
“Then off I went to get some delicious Moomer’s Ice Cream (at the No Name Café), followed by Taps at the fort.
“Today Ted, Glen and I visited Fort Mackinac that overlooks beautiful Marquette Park, where I let Tessa play.”
“I feared that it would just be old buildings. I was wrong! The many buildings were filled with period furnishings, historical information and activities for children.”
“There were also gun and cannon demonstrations. And there was an outdoor restaurant with the best view in town!”
“After the fort, Ted took Glen and me for a walk on Anne’s Tablet Trail (one of many trails) through a beautiful wooded area. The tablet seen on the trail honors the memory of a local author from years ago.”
“Ted led us through the woods to the East Bluff where more pretty vintage cottages were lined up, with million dollar views and beautiful flower gardens.”
“I loved our walk so much that I immediately went a second time, showing it to Tessa!”
“Bittersweet picture of Shepler’s Ferry that took us away from the island.”
“I am leaving a piece of my heart here and am sad to leave. But how blessed I am to have experienced this paradise! Glen and I love Mackinac Island so much that we plan to visit again next year. I hope all of you who have followed this trip with me will visit the island too.”
A few more of Debra’s photographs. . . .
Ted and I had a blast showing Kim, R.D., Debra, and Glen Mackinac Island. To paraphrase the slogan from the former Atlanta Journal, “We covered Mackinac like the dew.” We tried our best to wear them out each day, but they were real troopers and just kept on going – even in the rain!
Hope you’ve enjoyed the island through the eyes of these four fudgies!
God bless.
So glad to read your friends stayed at Park Place. It is our FAVE!!! Great location, pet friendly and awesome hospitality!!!
They loved it, Kathy. I used your recommendation when I suggested it to them!
I am so glad. The lady, Chris, who owns the property has given the management over to some relatives so she can “retire”, but I understand she is staying around to make sure things transition smoothly. We hope to visit next summer. I am having SERIOUS withdrawals!!
It is crazy how the Island gets into your heart and doesn’t let go. Looks like your guests experienced that also. It is a magical place!
I was just thinking the same things as Marlena. Why is it that the island just draws some of us back and we feel awful when we leave? Perhaps it is the tragic love story of Somwhere in Time; or the clip clop of the horses in the early morning hours. I am sure it is different for all of us. There is a long list that pulls at my heartstrings.
My list is very long also, Jeani.
How can you not fall in love with Mackinac…..won’t be long…….
Impatiently waiting for y’all, Hilde!
Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
You sound like such great hosts! Rick and I arrive tomorrow for 2 nights. We can’t wait! It will be our first time at the Cloghaun B&B.
Loved the tour…miss being at my hearts home in person!
Love reading about newcomers to the island on their first trip there.
Brenda, I am both humbled and honored that you would feature Glen and me in one of your wonderful blog posts. Through the years, your descriptive writing and beautiful pictures have drawn me like a magnet to Mackinac Island. So being there was a dream come true. You and Ted made it so special for us. As a result, I am addicted to its beauty, history, people and uniqueness. Thank you for introducing Glen and me to this paradise!
We loved every minute of it, Debra – especially watching all of you fall in love with Mavkinac!
I have seen the sky that blue before, and the grass that green, but the flowers outdid themselves for your guests. Absolutely beautiful! It’s like listening to a twenty-something fall in love for the first time!
I know, Barbara! She sounds just like me!
You can feel their excitement and wonder of the island. I’m glad they will be back next year! I’m so ready to be up there now…..counting the days!
I loved both “Fudgie” posts! I am sitting at the hospital with my mom as she is getting her “next to last” chemo and she really loves looking at all the pictures!
You know that you have found a special place in your heart when you tear up when you are leaving. I did that on my very first trip to Mackinac and knew that the island was always going to draw me back.
It sounds like your friends had a great visit!
Brenda,
WOW! Beautiful blog. Loved all the pictures and the words.
Awesome pictures! Our trip to the island last month seems like so long ago. Seeing all the pics makes me wish I was still there! Enjoy paradise!