Thursday: Ludington to Egg Harbor Wisconsin

On Wisconsin...

Ludington, Mi....6am.  The Ferry leaves at 8:45  and we must be there an hour prior to departure.  So up at 5 and loading the cars at 6-6:30, breakfast at 7 and off to the dock at 7:45. 

 Here's Myron loading up

 

And the Boyles from Texas...

While loading up the cars we had a special treat as the International Space Station flew overhead and helped everyone contemplate how small we are in the large scale of things.

And we made to the Ferry it in plenty of time after a superb omelet breakfast at the Inn. 

Because of our diminutive tiny cars, they parked us off to the side for special treatment while the crew readies to load all of the cars and trucks.  Maybe they didn't know what to do with us.

 

With  pleading by our host and organizer Charlie Miller and special permission from the management we were allowed to drive our own cars onto the ship.... but we had to drive then backwards so they faced the exit when we got to Wisconsin.  All other cars were driven aboard the ship by the crew.

 



McKenna photo



 Nice parking job... all the Morgan's in a cluster

And sail away from Michigan.  It was a beautiful day with calm seas, clear skies and moderate temperatures.  The four hour cruise meant time for card games, reading or taking a nap.

 

Arrival at Manitowoc at 12:30 with the extra hour due to the time zone change.. Manitowoc is a native American name meaning "The home of the Great Spirit Manitou"  This is a well kept small city celebrating  a large industrial and shipping background and the harbor at the mouth of the Manitowoc River and important port since the early 1830's.

We found the Courthouse Pub and Grille and had a very nice lunch, capped off with a nice surprise for Charlottes birthday this day. 

Then off northbound toward Egg Harbor.  We drove along the western edge of Lake Michigan along many boating and resort towns along the way.  We were particularly struck with a little town called Algoma which was a sawmill and dry goods center for northeastern Wisconsin back in the day.  Now the economy centers on anglers, beachgoers and boaters alike with many charter boats offering brown trout, chinook salmon and steelhead.  The little lighthouse caught out eye.

 

In all, the drive was scenic and uneventful with mostly smooth roads and 55mph speeds.  We got to the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor mid afternoon and settled in for two nights and some downtime tomorrow. 

 

But the birthday was not yet complete for Charlotte. Her husband Reg planed a secret surprise for her and we all gathered at the bar in anticipation of their arrival and a hearty "Surprise" bellowed across the room.  Big smiles and lots of hugs.... the merriment began.

 

Char here with Al Marsh... 

The whole group, well fed and fettled.

This was a special birthday for Charlotte, and we won't say which one.

Congratulations Char!!!