Port Washington

August 27, 2012.  After a very nice cruise on smooth seas, we arrived at Port Washington, WI.  Port Washington was a neat old town with a huge church on the hill and many interesting shops.  Bob purchased a Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls at one store.

The harbor is the tightest we've encountered and with a 10-15mph wind I was a little concerned as we went to the gas dock for fuel.  We slid in as smooth as silk getting 80 gal of diesel fuel at decent prices.  We were directed to a dock end near the fuel dock with only 30 amp electrical service.  After several attempts by the marina staff to rig up reverse Y connectors to get us 220v/50amp service the decided the solution was to have us move to a dock wired for 50amp service--dahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The Impersonator--almost!!!

We ate at a nice water front restaurant and had a good trip to Milwaukee.

Milwaukee!!!

Wed. Aug. 29, 2012.  We left Port Washington just after 10am for the 26 mile run to Milwaukee, where we plan to stay for two nights.  The wave action was largely from the beam so the ride was a little uncomfortable.  We will meet with Paul the former owner to go over the integration of electronics.

Upon arrival we were hungry so we climbed the stairs and ramp up the bluff to Brady Street, a mixture of tattoo parlors, used clothing shops, delis, and bars reminiscent of the Delmar Loop in St Louis.  I think it must really come to life after dark.  Had some great sandwiches from an authentic Italian deli.

We noticed the "green line" bus went down Brady Street on it's way to the Milwaukee Billy Mitchell Airport where our car was parked by Susan, Sally's sister, about a week ago.  Can't beat the $2.25 per person fare in lieu of a $20+ cab ride.  We enjoyed the folks on the bus, and observed their tattoos, piercings, infirmities, etc.  The car was in Lot A as Susan said it would be.

Cleaning the boat and shopping is the order of the day (plus a little relaxing) as Sally leaves tomorrow Thursday morning to drive home.  Bob and I will go to Racine tomorrow.

Milwaukee Skyline from Lake Michigan

Three masted sailing ship at the entrance to the Milwaukee Harbor

Gloriso's Italian Deli on Brady St.

Sunrise over Lake Michigan from McKinley Marina, Milwaukee

This afternoon Paul Roys the previous owner of SaSea Sally who lives in Milwaukee is coming this afternoon to explain the interaction of some of the navigation electronics.  Tonight, we will go out with some of Bob's Milwaukee relatives.

Sheboygan, WI

We left Manitowoc WI after a great birthday day and evening there.  As we departed it began to sprinkle but the water was 2-3' waves--nice.  The two+ hour, 25 mile cruise to Sheboygan was done at fast idle but the ride was much better at 2500 rpm, so we went that speed about 3/4 of the way.

Upon arrival in Sheboygoan, it was raining.  The dock hand put a couple quick ties on the lines and disappeared back to the office. It continued to rain harder and harder so Bob and I were stuck upstairs on the fly bridge for well over 30 minutes while Sally was downstairs.

This is another great marina-pool, hot tub, and great showers and baths.  This entire area of Sheboygan has been rehabbed and redeveloped in the past 5-10 years just like Manitowoc's.  Sally will get her swim tomorrow morning and we'll be off to Port Washington, only 28 miles south.

On to Manitowoc WI

At 5am or before on Aug. 25, Sally's birthday, the charter fishing fleet started departing Kewanee.  Given the previous nights wind and wave forecast (3-5' and small craft warnings), the only possible time to fish today would be early.  Forecaster's wrong!

We left Kewanee, WI around 10am. amid moaning fog horns and a call from Susan wishing Sally a Happy Birthday.  We weren't sure why the fog horns were blowing as there was only a slight mist along the shore.  The radar still showed land on the wrong side of the screen???  Several fishing boats were entering the harbor as we left and another couple dozen were fishing in Lake Mighigan within several miles of Kewanee.

Gladly, the waves were almost nill-maybe 2' with an occasional 3' wave.  We pressed south toward Manitowoc at our 9mph "slow cruise" speed without any incidents.  I did run at 2500rpm as we approached Manitowoc to make sure the engines were in good running order and to "blow the cobwebs" (carbon) out.  The ride at 17.5mph was much smoother than the ride at 12-1400rpm!

We entered Manitowoc harbor as the "historic coal powered Badger ferry", the size of a small ship, was preparing to make it's 2pm departure crossing Lake Michigan to Luddington, MI.  Securing the boat on an end slip was uneventful and we checked in to this very nice marina.

Our Looper Friends, Mark and Becky Mather, surprised us just as we completed securing SaSea Sally with a call saying they were in Manitowoc on their way to Sturgeon Bay.  We had a great visit and hope they enjoy their week of cruising around Door and adjacent counties.

Sally and Bob walked and scouted restaurants while Clay went to the Wisconson Maritime Museum which featured the SS Cobia submarine which he toured.  Also while there, Clay was able to observe two weddings being held at the museum.

Sally's birthday dinner was at "Eighth and York" restaurant 3-4 blocks from the marina.  It was a super place housed in an old, rehabbed bank building with unbeatable prices, service and attention.  We probably won't beat this dinner anywhere on the trip!  Bob treated and ordered a slice (actually a huge slab) of chocolate stout cake so Sally had a birthday cake.

Departing Sturgeon Bay Aug. 24 with a Plan B

SaSea Sally left our berth of 3+ months in Sturgeon Bay.  The weather and wave forecast on August 24 was for Lake Michigan was marginal, calling for 2-4' waves and a brisk southerly wind-the forecast for the for the next day was for 3-5' waves or worse.  Our plan was to load everything (bikes, power cord, water hose, fenders, etc.) on board the boat and stick our nose out of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal to see what it was really like.

Plan B was to turn around, go back through the canal and to cross the Green Bay, a much smaller body of water where waves wouldn't build, to Monomee WI, 25 miles away.  We would spend a day there, go back to Sturgeon Bay, then try to go south on Lake Michigan when the waves subsided.

The waves proved uncomfortable but not punishing so we forged south knowing the first option to duck in, Algoma, the home of Von Stiehl winery where Sally's friend Julie Jenkins Hathaway works, was only 14 miles south.  Given that the dock options at Algoma were marginal we elected to proceed on another 11 miles to Kewanee, WI.  Both Kewanee and Algoma are fishing resorts with many charter boats.  Ever see a 20-30' fishing boat armed with 3-4 down riggers and 25+ rods and reels?  If not, check out the docks aat Algoma or Kewanee WI.

Finding the Kewanee harbor and docking at Salmon Harbor Marina was a piece of cake-even Sally enjoyed docking there.  Sally struck out on foot exploring the restaurant options while Bob and I did boat duties.  She arrived back at the boat with several good restaurant options "in town" a 3/8 mile walk away from Salmon Harbor.

There was a classic older hotel built in the 1920s which was still in near perfect condition.  They served only breakfast for their B&B patrons.  We ate a nice dinner at a local "supper club" and walked back to the boat.

The Obedient Crew!

Sally and Susan saluting from the stern of the SaSea Sally.

Susan departed with our car to drive to Milwaukee to catch a plane back to St Louis.

Grant School Girls Reunion

Sally, her sister, Susan, and their neighborhood friend from Columbia, MO, Julie Jenkins Hathaway, enjoy a mini-reunion in Sturgeon Bay where Julie lives.  As a bonus treat, Julies parents, Sissy and Bill Jenkins were visiting from Gulf Shores, AL.  The Jenkins were in remarkable physical condition and their memories were tremendous.  The Tull twins hadn't seen Julie or her parents since high school graduation.

Julie manages the Von Stiehl winery in Algoma, MI so we all enjoyed wine and cheese together at Julie's home overlooking Sturgeon Bay.

The Girls are Here!

Sally and her sister, Susan, arrived on SaSea Sally Sunday night after Clay picked them up in Milwaukee.  It was a late night so we got a slow start Monday morning but plenty of shopping was accomplished!

SaSea Sally is getting her name painted on the stern tomorrow.  Today the old name, "CAPSTONE", was removed from the Mainship trawler's stern and SaSea Sally will be painted tomorrow.  The canvas guy got some additional snaps put on the front window mesh and canvas so it won't blow off the windows in a stiff wind.  We have a full stock of "spare parts" we might need on our trip home.

We had a great dinner at John Martin's Restaurant a couple blocks from the marina.  We will try to check a few more items off our "to do" list tomorrow.  We have wine and cheese session scheduled at Julie Jenkins, a Columbia friend and neighbor of Sally and Susan's when they started elementary school.

My friend Ty "T-Bear" Nichols emailed me today that he would be joining Dave and me on the trip from Chicago back to MO.  We have a full complement of crew signed up for the trip from Sturgeon Bay to MO.

Getting the Vessel Ready for Sea

Capt. Clay arrived at SaSea Sally in Sturgeon Bay, WI on Saturday 8/4/12.  Drove through storms and rain for the last two hours.  Discovered several spots were rain water was dripping from the port door frame and rear salon door.  Several measures to correct the leaks have been taken and from the forecast, we'll get another leak test over the next 24 hours.

I've spent the last 10 days making the ship ready.  Sorting stuff, stowing stuff and most importantly, CLEANING.  Alex, a local 19 year old, helped me for several days and we made quite a bit of progress.  Great Lakes Yacht services has had guys working on the boat sporadically during this time replacing burned out pilot lights, fixing the holding tank level gages, and other sundry repairs.

Upon arrival I saw my new "hinged" mast which will allow me to go through the Chicago Loop via boat on our trip home.  It still takes 3 people to lift or lower the mast but it is a big improvement that will allow me to go under 17' bridges.

A powerful external Wi-Fi booster was installed on the mast so we can pick up and use Wi-Fi signals from up to a half mile away that wouldn't even show on our computer normally leave alone be useable with out the booster. I purchased a Verizon Mi-Fi unit which allows several computers to connect through it to the internet via cellular signals.  So we now have two ways to connect to the internet.  We carry two laptops and a printer/scanner/copier so we are a floating office.

Sally and her twin sister Susan arrive in Milwaukee Sunday evening-that is a 3 hour drive each way.  I'll pick them up and we will come back to Sturgeon Bay after some shopping and dinner-a late night.

Our first guests took a nice afternoon cruise today, Kitty and Jim Robers.  Kitty is my good friend Randy Schmitt's sister.  We cruised Sturgeon Bay and dipped our toe in Lake Michigan which had 1-3 ft waves.  They were good crew and the trip was a good opportunity for me to become more familiar with this boat.