As part of our 150^th Anniversary “Share Your Story” campaign, we’ve heard from a number of guests that have been visiting Glen Ivy for many years, sharing stories and photos of Glen Ivy “back in the day” or “before this and that were built.”  We love to hear the “I remember when…” stories, which is why it was such a treat for us to sit down with Kathy when she visited the Spa recently with her two sons and shared some photos of her and her sons soaking in the mineral baths and getting muddy in Club Mud when they were just young kids.  We’re so thankful that Kathy, now a Club 1860 Member and regular Glen Ivy visitor, and her sons Jonathan and Joshua took the time to share with us what it was like back in the 80’s at Glen Ivy – even from a child’s perspective! – and what Glen Ivy means to them today. 

If you have a Glen Ivy story or photo from the past that you’d like to share, we’d love to see it! Please visit our “Share Your Story” page on the Glen Ivy Website to submit photos and stories.

Here is what Kathy, Jonathan and Joshua had to say:

Kathy: This picture was from the fourth or fifth time we had come here.  The first time we came, Joshua was just 9 months old. We continued coming, and in fact there was one time where we brought Jonathan’s 2nd grade teacher – I bought passes for the teachers for their end of the year presents – we made a picnic lunch, came and had a herd of kids, and brought the teacher for her summer rejuvenation.  [Back then] they’d let anybody’s kids in…and that was good, but I personally enjoy the quiet now because I’m a teacher!

Joshua: I remember coming here and I’ve seen it change over the years but when I was a little kid I loved it; I loved coming out here and playing in the mud, and being in the sunshine, and all the different pools that were here – going exploring and sitting in them.  Even the picture we took, I’m pretty sure I remember, that’s probably one of my earliest memories.  And, I’m still a [Club 1860] Member; I’m still enjoying it.

Kathy: We first started coming back in the 80’s, and I came sporadically up until 3 years ago when you started offering a yearly membership and I subscribed.  I had come more often during the years when I was getting my credential, I would leave school on Friday afternoons come in, get the last massage of the day on Fridays and that was how I survived that period of my life.  I come pretty much every weekend; I’m here at least one day – it’s my weekly attitude adjustment!  Sometimes I’ll even drive down after school and come in and sit and relax, and meet with my buddies – some of the Club members – we’ve gotten to know each other and so there are a lot of friends out here.

Johnathan:  I remember coming as a kid and one of the things I enjoyed doing was lounging on the floatation beds and feeling like I was floating on a little piece of heaven.

Kathy: We are certainly pleased to be part of Glen Ivy’s history because it does offer tranquility and a little taste of heaven – it really does provide that for people to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life and concentrate on taking care of yourself; if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anybody else.

Joshua: It’s not only physical health – you walk in here and you feel like – at least for me, I walk in and I feel like I’m leaving the world behind and coming into paradise.  I always think to myself this is probably what heaven will just be like – but all the time – you don’t have to go home at 6.