Travel log 7/7/2021

 

Photo credit: (Scott Cain) "Gas dock at dawn"

Five years ago, taken from a hand written journal.

July 7, 2021 Colin and I drove from Northport, Michigan to Racine, Wisconsin. Departing at 6:40 AM we drove our black GMC Sierra 2500 HD (AKA Gary) north in a steady rain. Took the northerly route and skipped Chicago traffic we drove over the north end of Lake Michigan via the Mackinac Bridge. Surprisingly there was moderate to heavy traffic and rain all the way to Milwaukee. Stopped in Green Bay, Wisconsin for lunch at chipotle and a self-guided tour of the national railway museum. Our stop lasted for one hour. Colin and I found delight with both. The museum was fun. We were able to and did climb on all of the old railway equipment. After 13 hours of transit we arrived in Racine at 6:50 PM local time. Although a bit tired from our long drive we both enjoyed dinner with family at 7:15 PM including time in the hotel pool and hot tub. We were by 9 PM and I fell asleep fast.

July 8, 2021 Racine, Wisconsin Doubletree Hilton at Gaslight Point. Woke up early 4 AM local time. None of the family is awake. Walked around downtown in the light drizzle in search of a coffee. I found a bakery on west side of Main Street. Then walked back down to the river and hotel. Still nobody awake. Went back to the room paid some bills and wrote this journal. 8:30 AM dad is awake.  I walked out to his boat to sit and visit. 10:30am everyone else is finally up. But it’s cold, gray and windy, so no one is sitting at the boat and we have no other plan. The family splits up to go shopping and/or find movies. Colin and I drive to Blaine‘s Fleet Farm and I buy some work clothes at noon. 3:30 PM we are back near the hotel and back at the room for a nap. Later we go to the marina building and play cards with Karen, Rebecca, Maisie, and dad. 6 PM Alex, myself, Colin, Maisie and Rebecca go upstairs to the bar for beers and sodas. 7 PM dinner is typical, dad and Susan serve plenty of processed meat and chips. These are crowd favorites and most seem pleased. 9:30 PM we visit the Marina pool and enjoy the hot tub while under the stars with Alex, Maisie, Rebecca, and Colin. 11 PM in bed.

July 9, 2021 woke at 5 AM to the pink in the skies! Everyone else was still sleeping so I loaded up the camera and took a walk of the area looking for visual opportunities. Met up with Karen and Alex back at the room around 8 AM then walked to the bakery on Main Street. After coffee we then went for another long walk to the end of the harbor mouth. 10 AM and went for a sail on dad’s boat the Logical Order IV. These was sun and a mild breeze from the west at 5 to 10 kn. It made for wonderful but maybe chilly sailing at 58°. 2:30 pm back on shore, I took a ride into town and visited the AT&T store picked up a new phone iPhone 12 Pro. 4 PM back to the room cColin was there under the covers on his bed with his screen. I aroused him and we all went and had dinner at the marina building. Pizza from Domino’s. There was a lovely bit of color at the sunset, but no photos I was too occupied with family. In bed by 10 PM.

July 10, 2021 woke at 4 AM. Took the cameras outside and drove down to the harbor entrance. The sunrise was colorful and provided good images. Later in the hotel lobby I visited with a man named Dave who lived in Atlanta Georgia. then met with Karen and Colin again we walked again to the bakery on Main St. I had a bagel. 10 AM we packed up our stuff and exited the hotel. Drove to the marina to say goodbye to Dad and Susan. Helped the neighbors turned their boat around. And even caught a ride in dad’s inflatable dinghy. Colin and I took it for a ride down the river to see if Tom Vibert was at his boat. He was not. We then we returned to Dad’s slip where Susan was waiting so she could micro manage my parking. This irritated me. However, it is who she is and I work hard to be accommodating. 11:30am Maisie and Colin were ready to leave as well so we said our goodbyes. Departing Racine we began our journey north. First we stopped at McDonald’s for Maisie. I think both my kids were starving since neither would eat at grandma and grandpa‘s boat. Then we made a stop at target for a phone clip for the truck and then made a stop in Milwaukee at chipotle. Strangely, Colin and I were both disappointed with our food. There was an awful dumpster outside this location that added to the unpleasant of our food. To compound this, Macy was quietly crying this entire duration as drove north to Manitowoc Wisconsin. At my request Pamela had reserved us a room at the last minute. The Harper Inn across from the taco fast and next to the Walmart. It was not such a scenic spot and not the nicest hotel but it was available two whole stars. It was clean, no bedbugs and the staff friendly. And, it appears to be filled with people (always a good sign. Most appeared to be either taking the ferry or truck drivers. 3:30pm after checking in to our room we went to play mini golf. The game had a wager on it. One dollar anti and I won. Neither offered to paid this debit and I playfully threatened to have my goons to collect this gambling debt. They were not buying it so we went for ice cream at Culver’s and then retired to our room for rest. 7:30pm Colin asked to have second dinner at Culver’s. So we ordered dinner, but then he did not eat it. I was irritated at this and I made him know it. It ended up being his breakfast. Back at the room I was sleeping by 10 PM who is a very restful sleep. In retrospect, Colin’s un diagnose digestive woes were present on this day and I was not very accommodating with him. I hope that one day he will forgive me. Dad’s are not perfect, and they come filled with their own version of reality. However, I love him so, and feel bad that I wronged him on this day.

July 11, 2021. Awake at 6 AM feeling refreshed and finally rejuvenated (finally). 8:30M roused both children and made way for our free breakfast. It was by appointment only and my waffle 4 inches in diameter was disappointing. 10 AM Wisconsin Maritime Museum tour. A WW2 submarine and museum where we saw a full-size semi functional ship steam engine. This was a real engine and was three stories tall. The three of us were impressed. 12 PM lunch. At  The Wharf Resturant across the river from the museum. I had the salmon BLT and a Spotted Cow, and it was so delicious! 12:45pm at the Badger ferry terminal. 2 PM  the Badger departs Wisconsin. Our crossing was sunny and warm. I found a spot on deck tucked out of the wind and in forward of the smoke stack and found this respite very relaxing. The kids seemed to enjoy exploring the ship on their own. We had to deviate course mid lake for a 1000 foot lake freighter which was about all there was for excitement. 7 PM Ludington, Michigan. 10 PM Northport.

In retrospect, the emotional state of us three travelers was not the greatest. It is sad that this summer vacation of 2021 was not a bright one. It leaves me wondering what I could have done better.