Trip Day:	173	Latitude:	42°44.02 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	25	Longitude:	087°46.87'W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,461	Location:	Racine,  WI

We said goodbye to Milwaukee as we passed the unique Milwaukee Art Museum building exiting the breakwater.    The overnight southerly winds had shifted to southwest by 8:30 so we got underway in near perfect conditions.  The winds were  12-15 with higher gust, but with very tolerable seas.  Madeline and Bob followed us in the BettyL as we ran  fairly close to the coastline on our way to Racine. 

 

 

 

We reluctantly accepted Bob and Madeline’s help in preparing to have our mast un-stepped before reaching Chicago.  The four of us lowered, folded and bagged all the sails, disconnected the wiring enclosed in the mast and re-assembled the cradle to hold the mast once in a horizontal position. 

Madeline ran into Beth and Dean on Kismet who just arrived home two weeks ago after completing the loop.  Beth offered to drive us to the grocery and we accepted her gracious offer.

When the work was done it was off to the pool for a little relaxation and cool water.  We finished the night by going out to dinner . 

Tomorrow the crane crew will lift and lower the mast into position, then we will strap it down and bundle the shrouds, stays and halyards.  It’s a process, but we have to clear the 17’ bridges in Chicago and the upper Mississippi. 

 

A Whirlwind Day in Milwaukee

THURSDAY,  JULY 30th  -  MILWAUKEE

What a whirlwind day!  After breakfast, with map in hand we took off on our bikes to explore Milwaukee.  First mistake was to allow Madeline to lead.  She is ten years younger, in great shape and set a wicked pace especially since the beginning of our route was uphill.  The historic Brady Street area was serene with its tree-lined streets and beautiful old homes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Biking along the Milwaukee River we were impressed with the city’s river walk and found the most unique street lamp art thus far on our trip. 

 

The old bridges were charming and the businesses along the river welcoming. 

 

 And I suppose no trip to Milwaukee would be complete without a photo with The Fonz and a visit to the 1844 Pabst Brewery.

At one time the Pabst plant consisted 28 buildings, with 5,000 employees working 24 hours a day seven days a week. After waiting for the historic plant to open, we learned the bad news; no plant tours on Thursdays. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The good news, the bar was open and Josh, the barkeep, took good care of everyone.  We met a couple of guys from  Atlanta on an annual “sports and bars” road trip.  We had some laughs and the group raised their mugs. 

 

 

 

We had a great day in downtown Milwaukee which was well worth the visit and the miles of riding.  We regret not seeing the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Joan of Arc Church. We have learned we just can’t see it all, but we are giving it our best shot!

 

Milwaukee - Good First Impression!

Trip Day:	171	Latitude:	43°02.87' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	27	Longitude:	087°53.32' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,436	Location:	Milwaukee,  WI

Another amazing sunrise—what a nice way to start our day!

Weather reports indicate strong winds for this afternoon and tomorrow so Ron decided an early getaway was advisable. 

Winds were light and from the south, so no sails today—just the hum of the engine.  After a couple of hours it was obvious that we were approaching a much larger city as the skyline of Milwaukee came into view and grew larger mile by mile. 

 

We received a text from Madeline and Bob aboard the Betty L   saying they were right behind us and should make landfall by early afternoon.   We also talked to Marc and Betty, KatMan2, who are flying home to Florida for a week, so we hope to see them down river.  As soon as we were secure in our slip we went to work; Ron scrubbed the deck and Jean vacuumed and mopped the interior.   We were on the dock to help with lines when the Betty L arrived and immediately the four of us started to plan our stay in Milwaukee.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We discovered there was a free Latin Urban Salsa concert at Discovery World in the     amphitheater right on Lake Michigan.  Bob and   Madeline took a little time to get settled then the boys got our bikes ready to roll.  The ride along the riverfront was delightful and since we  arrived a little early we watched dozens of sailboats leave the harbor to participate in Wednesday night races.  

 

 

 People were on the dance floor as the salsa music wafted  over the crowd.  It was amazing to sit outdoors with a breeze off the lake, listening to and watching the band with a tall ship in the background.  Is this really Milwaukee?

To add to the evening, the aquarium at Discovery World was open for free so we took full advantage of the facility.  There were fish overhead in the tunnels and underfoot through the glass floor as well as a mock-up underwater research lab. 

 

 

 

 

Winds are predicted at 20-30 kts tomorrow so we will spend another day in Milwaukee, which won’t be a hardship based on our first impressions. 

 

Spot us on Google Map by clicking on Location: Milwaukee in the footer below.

Pleasant Port Washington

TUESDAY,  AUGUST 28th  -  PORT WASHINGTON,  WI

Trip Day:	170	Latitude:	43°23.32' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	32	Longitude:	087°51.86' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,409	Location:	Port Washington,  WI

 

A peaceful sunrise began our day as we readied to leave. Although winds were light, we motor-sailed down the coast with slightly rolling seas off our stern quarter.  There was a mix of farmland and light industry along the shore as well as sandy beach areas.  The interesting art deco lighthouse came into view as we approached the Port Washington harbor. 

Port Washington was voted the best Wisconsin town on a lake and in 2008 Forbes Magazine rated Ozaukee County #2 in the country to raise a family. 

Ron checked into the marina office while Jean made lunch.  Visitor’s map in hand, let the walking tour of the historic district begin!  The downtown was very clean with wide streets, picturesque storefronts and welcoming flower beds.  The Hoffman House Hotel, 1895, was a three story Queen Ann with nicely detailed brickwork and corner tower.

 Edward Dodge, the local blacksmith,       gathered stones along the shoreline and in 1848 built the “Pebble House” an example of  cobblestone construction. 











 The Ozaukee County Courthouse on Main Street was built in 1902 at a cost of $65,000 and is still a stunning limestone building.  Port Washington has been known as the “City of Seven Hills” due to the topography upon which the city if built.  A number of streets are connected with stairway such as this extension of Main Street.  

                                                                           


There are many examples of homes built in the 1800s such as the Eghart House which remained in the family until 1969 when it was purchased by the historical society,  restored and opened as a museum. 

 

After dinner we walked around the renovated riverfront with a sense that Port Washington is a special little town.

Sheboygan, WI

Trip Day:	169	Latitude:	43°45.16' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	25	Longitude:	087°42.04' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,377	Location:	Sheboygan,  WI

Today was a picture-perfect day for our trek south on Lake Michigan.  As soon as we cleared the marina breakwater, we raised the sails with a perfect beam reach of winds 8-10 kts.  The skies were clear and the seas were light and before long we could see the smoke stacks on shore at Sheboygan.  Within 30 minutes of checking in at the Harbor Centre Marina, Ron had our bikes out of the locker and on the dock so we were on our way to explore the town. 

 

The newly renovated riverfront was very welcoming as we rode along the boardwalk taking in the sights.  Blue Harbor Resort appeared to have all the amenities to draw visitors to this area. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Historic downtown with wide streets and shaded sidewalks was very inviting. 

We noted a wide variety of up-scale restaurants in town as well as quaint shops.

A stop at the John Michael Kohler arts  Center was interesting, but the art        exhibits were a bit underwhelming.    Perhaps the most interesting part was the 1882 Italian Revival home of John Kohler, of the famed Kohler bath and kitchen products.  His family emigrated from Austria when he was a young child and by 1892 he was the mayor of Sheboygan.  The home with its gardens of hollyhocks, roses, sweet peas, hydrangeas and black-eyed Susans was deeded to the Sheboygan arts Foundation in 1966.

 

 The gardens included whimsical birdbaths and sculptures as well as wall sections of the ruins of the town library incorporated among the plants and flowers. 

We resisted the temptation of the Victorian Chocolate Shoppe, returning to the boat to take care of a few chores before we head south tomorrow.  

Manitowoc, WI

Trip Day:	168	Latitude:	44° 05.79 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	0	Longitude:	087°38.94 ' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,352	Location:	Manitowoc,  WI

The Manitowoc Maritime Museum is the home of the USS Cobia which is a GATO class fleet submarine.  Twenty-eight subs were built by Manitowoc shipbuilders  during WWII.  More than 7,000 men and women worked around the clock, 365 days a year in the shipyards.  Twenty-five of the subs were built in time to see action during the way and together they sank 132 Japanese ships. 

 Early afternoon Anita called offering to give us a ride to the grocery store and within the hour she and Don were at the marina to pick us up.  The first stop was  lunch at Late’s ,a great little burger place.  They dropped us at the supermarket, ran a few    errands, then picked us up and returned us to the marina .  .  . how could ya ask for more!  We spent the afternoon talking about The Loop, boating    stories and adventures.  The best line of the day was from Don, “I have lots of stories, but not all of them are true!”

 

By the time we had talked the day away, we weren’t in the mood to cook, so back in their car to head to Tony’s for pizza.  Halfway through our meal Tony came and sat down at our table with a few stories of his own.  Turns out Tony’s family was from Palermo, just a short distance from where Jean’s grandmother was born. 

We wished Anita and Don well and hope to see them on the rivers in a few weeks. 

 

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25th  -  MANITOWOC, WI

 

Trip Day:	167	Latitude:	44° 05.79 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	64	Longitude:	087°38.94 ' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,352	Location:	Manitowoc, WI

Awakened by the alarm at 5:30, Ron immediately checked to make sure the weather predictions were still a go for travel.  We were underway by 6 o’clock, passed the Coast Guard  Station  and entered Lake Michigan just in time for sunrise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within 15 minutes the fog had rolled in decreasing visibility dramatically.  Ron noted that the water temperature was  reading 62 degrees! We  expected the fog to lift clear as soon as the sun was a little higher in the sky, but we were wrong –it was almost noon before we could see shore.  We steered a course of 180 directly into the wind and light seas about two miles offshore.  We had planned to go 30 miles to   Kewaunee, but decided to continue another 34 miles to Manitowoc. 

 

 

 The lighthouse at the entrance to the breakwater of Manitowoc Marina was a welcomed sight after an eleven hour day on the water. 

 After checking into the marina and viewing a map we took off on foot to walk into town and ended up going to The Strand Movie Theater to see the comedy Hope Springs—good way to end the day!

 

Returning to the dock we met a couple, Anita and Don, who are in the process of preparing their boat to begin The Loop in a couple of weeks.  After chatting for awhile we promised to see them tomorrow.