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.