Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great

Guest: Conan (Clinton, Iowa)
Date of Stay: 02/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/02/12

The place was perfect, can't wait to come back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, pet owners, romantic getaway.

wonderful time

Guest: beach (minnesota)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12 Review Submitted: 02/01/12

Our stay at mainstay cottage was a dream come true for us. It was a beautiful home and the beach was beautiful. We would like to come back here soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Kurlan Family & Friends

Guest: The Kurlans
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

We so enjoyed our visit to your shore! Thanks for making our stay so "homey". We lacked for nothing. Ralph, we truly enjoyed the lesson of the turtles - you are such a gracious host!

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The Deneault family

Guest: The Deneault family
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

What a wonderful vacation at Mainstay Cottage. Our family enjoyed all the amenities provided, especially the outdoor shower. Favorite beach activities included skimboarding, snorkeling, crab catching and of course fishing. Met a very nice man from Foley who showed us how to catch ghost shrimp in the sand and use as bait. Caught pompano, flounder, whiting. Good eats! Also enjoyed lots of reading and cooking. Your beautiful beach view was amazing. Our children loved the neighborhood and made lots of friends!

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The Citrano Family

Guest: The Citrano family
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

We had a great week the weather & water was perfect. The house was wonderful such a well built, thought out house. Loved all the water hoses, the large parking area. Can't say enough about the place. We had the pleasure of meeting Ralph, such a nice, kind man. Maybe we will meet Cheryl next time. We will be back! Fisjing was great, my husband caught several shark, our son caught a spinner shark that was 5' 8" long. All were released back into the ocean - ASAP! I caught a flounder, red speck and many whiting. Our "4-legged" child loved the proch and people watching. We have been coming to Ft. Morgan for about 10 years. Love this area & the house was perfect.

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The Welter family

Guest: The Welter family
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

Ralph : Cheryl: We enjoyed our week at the beach VERY much!! Your home is beautiful & the views are great!! You really have thought of everything to make the cottage a home away from home. we had a special surprise early one morning - we awoke to the excitement of s sea turtle nesting! She had been captured and tagged and we were able to talk to the "turtle Patrol", take pictures and see "Lulu the sea turtle" be released once she was tagged. We definitely plan to return next year so we will be in touch soon. Thanks so much for the hospitality.

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The Moers party

Guest: The Moers party
Date of Stay: 06/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

Dera Ralph & Cheryl: Oh my goodness what and absolutely wonderful house and location - - you all have thought of everything to make a perfect week at the beach with family and family dogs!!! Our dogs loved the porch. We really enjoyed reading your book about the cottage and what all went into the rebuild! Can't wait to plan our next trip here.

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The Kessler Family

Guest: Kessler family
Date of Stay: 03/26/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

Ralph & Cheryl We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. All the thoughtful touches for pets, the very well equiped kitchen, the perfect location on the beach, the comfortable beds and furniture - made us feel right at home. By far one of the best places we've ever stayed! Thank you so much for your hospitality. We hope to be back soon.

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The Sloan Family

Guest: The Sloan family
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

Words can't describe how much we truly enjoyed our vacation. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful cottage with us. Like many families now a days, we seem to be so busy, that we sometimes forget what "family time" is really all about, but we have gotten to have quality family time this past week and it's greatly appreciated. It was os nice to be here at the cottage and have all the luxuries of home, but none of the hassels. I don't think there is anything that you could do to make this place any better. We've had so much fun playing on the beach, relaxing, and enjoying watching the dolphins play. Troy's mom and dad joined us for a couple of days and we celebrated his 65th birthday yesterday. He said it was one of the best birthdays he has ever had! Thank you! We're sad to be going home so soon, but we are looking forward to visiting in the future.

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Guest: Sunyak & Barstow families.
Date of Stay: 11/27/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

Our time at the shore has been great. Keep up the good fight to preserve this important reserve for the birds & wildlife. Saw a red fox tonight on the beach. Hope B.P. finishes the clean-up and moves out of the area soon. (written by the Barstows) Gorgeous Home & Area, we couldn't have asked for a Thanksgiving to be any more pleasant & enjoyable. We have stayed at many Beach Homes & Beaches, this was the best supplied, maintained & organized, with great "homey" touches! (written by the Sunyaks)

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Guest: Moore
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

Dear Cheryl & Ralph: Thanks for sharing lovely Mainstay. We have enjoyed our month here and will return next year. Our adult children love this also. It's so relaxing just sitting on the deck & watching the dolphins play, seeing the fish jumping and watching the birds dive for food. We fished, crabbed and just relaxed. The Moores, Pensacola, FL.

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Guest: Pedigo
Date of Stay: 08/07/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

Dear Ralph & Cheryl; Thank you for letting us stay at Mainstay Cottage. Me and my family had a wonderful time and are making preparations on coming back. I loved the information you left about the history of the area. We enjoyed watching the dolphins & birds from the balcony & while in the water. We We could have been no more pleased with the beaches in how clean they were. The kids had a wonderful time. I loved everything about the house, the bathroom & shower downstairs as well as the manywater hoses you have scattered about. We could not have found a better place to stay and our cockapoo loved it. We want to thank you so much for everything as to keeping us updated on the weather conditions & oil down here via email and introduce yourself & the talk we had about the sea life.I will be so pleased to show my family and friends the numerous pictures that I have taken and how wonderful our stay was. Thank you so much again, you will be definitly hearing from me again with reservations. The Pedigos, Lafayette, Tennessee.

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Guest: Russell
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Thanks for sharing this lovely home withus.We truly enjoyed every minute and didn't want to leave! You thought of everything to make for a most comfortable stay - except for a muffin tin - and now you ahve one. We look forward to staying here again. The Rusells, Little Rock, AR

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Guest: Taylors
Date of Stay: 04/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Thanks for a great vacation. Dolphins swimming by, our dog happliy swimming after tennis balls, our little girl playing with the sand toys. Each aspect of the house is so thoughtful toward adults, kids and pets. Who would stay anywhere else at the beach? The Taylors, Birmingham, AL

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Guest: The Schmulbachs.
Date of Stay: 03/27/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Many thanks for a wonderful stay. We thoroughly enjoyed our return visit to Coastal Al. Thank you for offering such a comfortable, pet friendly home to those of us who like to share beach time with our 4-legged family members. Toby loves the beach as much as the rest of the Schmulbachs! We really enjoyed reading the history of of Mainstay Cottage. Look forward to seeing you again one day soon. The Schmulbachs, Champaign, IL

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Guest: The Munro's
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Mainstay Cottage is one of the most beautiful vacation homes we have stayed in. The views are unbeatable. We loof forward to returning someday. We'll definately miss the sun, waves and peacefulness in Iowa! Sincerely; The Munro's

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Guest: The Starkeys
Date of Stay: 03/06/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Thank you so much for the warm welcome you gave to our family this past week. we ahve had the greatest time! Your home has been the perfect place for us to relax and spend time together. The kids have enjoyed the waves, sand and the sun. We will always remember our our walks along the beach, listening to the waves at night and searching for shells. Youe accommodations have exceeded what we expected. You make it so easy to "move in" for the week. Thank you for your hard work to make it truly one of the best palces we have visited. God's blessings to both of you. We appreciate your kindness and hospitality not only in the beach house but in your own home too. Fondly: The Starkeys, Indiana

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Guest: Bett and Dixon Adams (Pensacola, Florida)
Date of Stay: 01/10/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

Mainstay Cottage December is not the usual month people think of for a beach vacation, but the beach in winter has its own special charms. We enjoyed beautiful storms and crashing waves, stunningly displayed in the panoramic windows of the “great room” as we relaxed safe and warm, enjoying a hot drink and a good book. The famous sugar sand looked as virgin and primitive as the tundra; one could easily see it as Arctic snow when placing early-morning footprints on its sculpted whiteness. Inside the light-filled great room, we loved cooking, watching football (Go Gators!) or playing board games while viewing the changes in the waves and tides. The up-and-down thermometer also registered several days of “summertime,” with temps warm enough for shorts (or less!) and sunning and sipping on the deck. Chilled champagne goes down well on a lazy Sunday afternoon with the sun on your face and the blue sky reflected in even bluer water. And did I mention the Blue Angels, the winter birds (loons!), the peace, the quiet, the solitude? Yet Wal-Mart (if you must) is only 13 miles away.Mainstay Cottage is absolutely the best-equipped, the most-lovingly planned, the most-thoughtfully designed, the most secure, best located vacation home we have had the pleasure to visit. Add: dog-friendly, wi-fi, gourmet kitchen with every gadget a cook might need, covered parking and Mainstay Cottage is an A+ winner. We especially appreciated the photos which helped us identify the birds and shells, the big-screen TVs, the electric grill, the views from each bedroom, and even the woodsy "Old Florida" vegetation along the back streets on our dog walks. This is definitely NOT “Club Med.” This is more “Cottage Mellow.”December, 2009

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Guest: Judy Manes
Date of Stay: 08/21/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

Thank you for delivering on what you promised. All was better than expected. Being able to have a shady place on the lower deck for our fiar-skinned baby was nice. We also enjoyed playing with all the "new" beach toys. We made sweet memories with our family and that's what it's all about, Right!??

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Guest: Barbara Mostyn
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 07/31/09

We could not have expected a more perfect vacation! Your special touches around the house kept the grandkids entertained and happy. We couldn't have been happier with the house, the beach, and the views. Thank you for allowing us to share your house. We will hopefully see you again soon. It was a pleasure to meet you both.(and Daisy)

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Guest: Deborah Gordon
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 07/03/09

We came to celebrate my 60th birthday. What an excellent weekwe had. Davis & Debbie Gorman told us how nice the house and beach were, but the experience was even better. Thanks for opening up your house.

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Guest: Monica May
Date of Stay: 06/05/09 Review Submitted: 06/04/09

Dear Ralph, Cheryl and Daisy, Words can't express how much we enjoyed our stay. This was the best by far. You truly have thought of everything. I enjoyed reading about the house and the pictures of the old house. Hope to see you again soon! Monica May.

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Guest: John Marklund
Date of Stay: 05/30/09 Review Submitted: 05/29/09

dear Cheryl and Ralph, Thank you for allowing us to stay in your wonderful home this week. We lacked for nothing! I wish I could say that our "dishwasher service call" was simply a lure to have you visit, Ralph, because we so enjoyed chatting with a fellow private pilot and internationally well traveled fellow! Next time we come(and there definitely will be a next time!), we'll remember that "CL" on the dishwasher means "close tightly, dummy!" All the extras were so well thought out - toys for the kids, a plethora of wonderful books, strategically placed hoses, HD TV, etc. We really enjoyed the binder you thoughtfully put together with local information, history of your house, excerpts from instruction manuals, and environmental/birding facts. What a wonderful touch. Please look us up if you are ever in Houston. We would love to have you over for dinner! Kim, John, Natalie(4 1/2), Patrick (1 1/2) and Baby Boy (en utero).

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Guest: Sallie Hall
Date of Stay: 05/23/09 Review Submitted: 05/22/09

Cheryl & Ralph. Thank you very much for sharing your home with our family. It was perfect and we had a wonderful week - the weather was great and the house was perfect. We love to cook and we really appreciated the well stocked kitchen. Everyone enjoyed reading the informative book on the neighborhood and history of the area. I am sad that the wooden man disappeared - the children loved him. Thanks again and we'll see you soon I hope! Sallie, Ben, Lala, Morris, Katie and Heath.

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Guest: Janey Menner (St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 03/29/09 Review Submitted: 03/29/09

My family and I have just returned from a beautiful, spring week at Mainstay Cottage. Cheryl and Ralph have not overlooked a single amenity in making our visit comfortable and memorable. They are dedicated to sharing the wonders of Fort Morgan Beach. We will return!

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Guest: Rich and Betsy Monke (Springfield, IL)
Date of Stay: 03/15/09 Review Submitted: 03/15/09

Ralph and Cheryl, Wow, what a wonderful vacation we had in your home. Everything was perfect. We discovered that the pictures on your website don't do it justice. It was all bigger and more incredible than we had expected. It was the perfect place for a relaxing vacation with our four kids. We will definitely be back! Rich and Betsy Monke, Springfield, IL

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Guest: Godo
Date of Stay: 03/05/09 Review Submitted: 03/04/09

Thanks for everything! We appreciate your attention to detail. Not only was Mainstay a wonderful home but it is also equipped with everything one needs to enjoy a months vacation - "a home away from home". Although it was cool in terms of temperature, virtually every day had enough sun for us to get our walks on the beach. We followed the weather back in TC Mich and they had several days below zero F. plus lots of snow! We would love to stay here again if the opportunity presents.

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Guest: Dennis
Date of Stay: 11/30/08 Review Submitted: 11/29/08

I am fully prepared to go home and pout because I had to leave the beach and your beautiful home! Alas real life must go on ---- This has truly been a wonderful vacation! Your home is lovely and you have thought of everything that we could possibly need! Our family had a wonderful, relaxing week together. Polly (the dog) loved her time here also). I think she could easily become a "beach dog" I certainly look forward to returning. You have given our family such a blessing by providing this awesome place for us! Thank you, thank you. God bless you both.

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Guest: Stephenson
Date of Stay: 10/14/08 Review Submitted: 10/13/08

While the view and accommodation were stunning, it was your allowing us to include and provide safe haven for our pets, your daily presence - our connection with you, and your attention (on our behalf) to the little things: the handy extras, the local information, the updated mini-library - that elevated this beach experience from many others. Cheryl, Martha Stewart has nothing on you, and Ralph your genteel and genuine Southern charm proves that Southern hospitality is NOT limited to the American South. Rhett Butler could have taken a lesson.

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Guest: Hollan
Date of Stay: 08/08/08 Review Submitted: 08/07/08

This is an amazing place you have and I'm so happy that you decided to share it. Its the first time I have ever been to the beach and I loved it. I even loved the jellyfish. I got stung the first day. I also loved hearing Ralph's stories of Africa. I love animals & the environment, so thank you.

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Guest: Gimenez
Date of Stay: 07/04/08 Review Submitted: 07/03/08

A few words to express the great joy of the days spent at Mainstay Cottage. Thamk you for the opportunity to enjoy first hand God's beautiful gift of the ocean and His creation. It was a wonderful family-centered week. Our children left saying it was the best vacation ever! Our grand baby is too young to speak but we so enjoyed with and for him. We look forward to returning.

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Guest: Ebles
Date of Stay: 06/06/08 Review Submitted: 06/05/08

Our week in your "cottage" was super. It was the perfect ending to a very busy May and everyone enjoyed just relaxing. The house is so nice - perfect for children and animals. - grandson and grandog had a wonderful time. This is definitely a do-over again. Hope to see you again.

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Guest: Hodgson
Date of Stay: 05/24/08 Review Submitted: 05/23/08

Mainstay Cottage is one of the best places that we have ever stayed. Everything in the cottage was very well organized and thought out. The cottage was much more beautiful than the photos on the VRBO site and we were very impressed from the moment we walked in. Our children loved the deck and the very convenient water hoses all over and of course the beach. Thank you for making us so welcome by stopping by and introducing yourself. This was our first time to Fort Morgan and it won't be our last.

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Guest: Heard
Date of Stay: 10/12/07 Review Submitted: 10/11/07

We enjoyed every sunrise, every sunset and every moment in between. Our week at the beach provided just the rest and relaxation that we all needed. We have been to this area many times and this was certainly one of our best trips. The weather was absolutely perfect. We especially enjoyed the privacy of your location and appreciated the many thoughtful extras that you provided. We will definitely come back soon - hope your trip was as perfect as ours.

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Guest: Callais
Date of Stay: 07/14/07 Review Submitted: 07/13/07

Ralph & Cheryl: Thank you! The beach house is everything we were looking for, Cheryl did a great job decorating, the house is beautiful. We had a great time, hope you will have us back again next year.

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Guest: Anderson
Date of Stay: 06/23/07 Review Submitted: 06/22/07

It is delightful to return to the "new, gorgeous Mainstay". The home definitely has the "WOW" factor. Ralph & Cheryl you did a marvelous job! rebuilding your beach house. A week of fun, a calming effect on everyone. Thanks for opening your home to share.

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Guest: Baxter
Date of Stay: 06/16/07 Review Submitted: 06/15/07

Beautiful home, beautiful weather, "amazing backyard"! Ate lots of seafood and saw lots of wildlife - a perfect vacation for us! The boys loved playing on the sandbars eack afternoon catching little fish & hermit crabs. Spent a day in Pensacola & watched the Blue Angels fly then went on to Gulf Island National Seashore/ Pensacola beach - saw 1 shark, 1 sea turtle and a lg. pod of dolphins from the pier. - highly recommend the short trip. Home had everything we needed for a great week - Thanks again!!!

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Guest: Binford
Date of Stay: 05/19/07 Review Submitted: 05/18/07

Ralph & Cheryl: We had a wonderful stay at the beach cottage celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and our two college graduations added to our happiness. We golfed at beautiful Kiva Dunes, watched sunrises and sunsets, read many books and walked the Pine Beach Trail. Thanks for providing the perfect setting for our memorable vacations.

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Guest: Mathis
Date of Stay: 05/12/07 Review Submitted: 05/11/07

Ralph & Cheryl: Thank you so much for sharing your beach cottage with us. We knew within five minutes of arriving here that we did not want to leave. We woke up day 1 to a beautiful day of sun, ocean and relaxation! Day 2, dog gone it, we woke up to another beautiful day..... Day 3 thru 6 we enjoyed four more perfect days! Day 7 Packed & ready to go ... that was the only unpleasant part of our trip. We enjoyed dinner with you both so next year when we plan on staying two weeks, hopefully we can go out again. P.S. We always looked forward to the 2 of you walking daisy and Dundee!

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