Back in Sturgeon Bay

Here we are again on board the M.B. in Sturgeon Bay-- yay! It's a little cooler than Iowa has been recently-- but so are most saunas!

We are still working part of each day on updating and maintaining things around here. I know it doesn't sound exciting, but Mark installed a new propeller on our dinghy and changed its oil. We hope to take a cruise around the Bay in our dinghy this week-- which means turning the boat around in its berth. The dinghy has to be launched from the port (left) side of the boat, which is currently against the dock. Then we have to figure out how to operate the crane that lowers the dinghy into the water. Piece of cake- right?

After supper we walked a few blocks to the Door County Candy Shop for ice cream, then strolled by the boat show at Stone Harbor resort, very close to our marina.

Stone Harbor

Severe thunderstorms surrounded us but missed us.

Beautiful cloud formations

Exploring Door County

We had a very busy day today. We began with an early morning cruise on Lake Michigan. We traveled through the canal connecting Sturgeon Bay with the Lake, between two lighthouses. The water was so smooth.

After returning from our morning cruise, we drove farther up the peninsula to Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, and Sister Bay. Door County flowers are impressive- they grow profusely everywhere! Unfortunately, (our opinion) tourists are also abundant in these villages.

We then headed to the east side of Door Peninsula to visit the Cana Island Lighthouse. We climbed the 97 steps to the top of the tower (built in 1869) to experience the view.

Photo by J Baldwin

A large rock shelf just under the water here caused many shipwrecks in the 1800's.

July 4th

Our daughter Caitie arrived after a long drive on the 4th. It's so much fun to have her on board!

We took our bag chairs and walked across the bridge to have a good view of the highly touted Sturgeon Bay fireworks. Unfortunately a brief but strong thunderstorm blew in from the Bay minutes before the fireworks were scheduled to start. The fireworks display was cancelled and dozens of boats scurried to shore while we hiked back to our boat. So the only aerial display we saw was lightning!

Earlier in the day the sailing vessel Denis Sullivan cast off from the dock near us, headed for Green Bay. What an impressive ship! We counted a crew of 14 visible on deck as she sailed by. I'd love to see her with sails unfurled!

Birthdays

We were privileged to be part of two birthday celebrations in the last 24 hours! Our new boating friend Clay's big day was yesterday. We were invited to their boat for dinner and birthday cake.

Sally and the birthday boy.

Today we celebrated with "old" friends from home, Frosty and Linda on Linda's birthday, with our first venture into Lake Michigan. That is a LOT of water! Linda loves lighthouses, and was excited to see this one at the entrance to the Sturgeon Bay Canal.

Linda, the birthday girl

Frosty and Mark

Through the entrance to Lake Michigan.

Big day today- we took the Mara Beel out without anyone to help us! This was our first cruise without a seasoned expert aboard. We got underway, cruised, and docked with no issues at all- a big improvement from the last time we were out. So much fun!