St. Joe to Holland
Big Red
July 27, 2010
We went into St. Joe this morning to the farmers’ market to get some fresh fruit. There were only a couple of vendors, but they had all we needed.
After arriving home we were able to get caught up on email and bills because of the fast Wi-Fi. A large part of the day was spent downloading files for the new electronics, plus bank and credit card statements. We are managing to blend the mundane with “living the dream”.
When we looked out the days was half gone so we went for a bike ride. We explored parts of Benton Harbor that were trying to be revitalized and compete with St. Joe. Wolfe Marine is also in Benton Harbor and that provided an hour of window shopping through aisles of boat paraphernalia. Again it is great to get some exercise.
After dinner we were going to go for a walk and have a drink at St. Joe’s Yacht club. We used to go there after the tri state race to St. Joe and we also were there a couple of years ago for a very nice buffet with a friend of Mike’s.
I have to tell this- sorry Francie. On the way we stopped at the marina facilities and Francie had to check out the laundry. Good laundry facilities are an important part of our new life. I watched her go in to check it out. She came out and suddenly went right back in. Now how long does it take to see a washer and dryer? I went back to reading my book. I looked up a few minutes later and no Francie. I became concerned – again how long does it take to see a washer and dryer? As I approach she comes out smiling and excitedly waving to me. I thought she had found a winning lottery ticket. There in a tiny room sat two brand new state of the art Maytag appliances. “Look at these. Aren’t they great – and – they are free. By the way, the world headquarters for Whirlpool is in St. Joe. They make Maytag.
As we began our walk, I knew she was distracted and I also knew that we were going to be doing laundry. Facing the inevitable, I announce that we should go back and get our laundry.
The machine was a top loader with a glass top but had no agitator. The electronic controls panel rivaled an airplane. This machine did everything. And you think our lives are exciting. Please picture two adults watching their clothes being washed making comments like “That is fascinating – how is it going to get them clean?” It was a memorable evening – drinking beer and washing clothes. Just an aside – Francie learned the next day that the machine was a prototype and would be manufactured in the near future.
July 29, 2010
Our destination was South Haven. This is our first time visiting. The town is very nice with lots of stores and restaurants. We walked through town and visited the maritime museum. The tall ship in the pictures is the “Goodwill” ship which tours from the museum, we saw them on the Lake and them watched them sail to their dock in the river.
August 1, 2010
Where has the summer gone? We have spent the last few days in Holland, Michigan. We anchored the first night. It was nice to be away from a marina. Since Pat and Christine, Mike’s son and soon to be daughter-in-law were going camping with their cousins from East Lansing, we pulled into a marina yesterday. We spent part of the day at the beach with them. After they went to their campsite, we rode our bikes to get groceries. The store was 5 miles away. It is always amazing how much we can fit on the bikes. Mike keeps saying it will never fit, but we manage to get it all on the bikes including 2 small watermelons and a box of wine. All that exercise was topped off with ice cream from the general store (in spite of the long line)!
Today we rode the bike path that (more or less) follows the lakeshore to Grand Haven. We rode a total of 24 miles, including a stop at a blueberry farm, but never made it to Grand Haven. Legs were sore but butts were more so. Tomorrow we are on to Muskegon.
We had been promising ourselves that we would open up a bottle of champagne that we had been given as a gift for our retirement; we were told that it is the same champagne that they drink at the White House. So, cheers to you and our Commander in Chief . . . . .
We went into St. Joe this morning to the farmers’ market to get some fresh fruit. There were only a couple of vendors, but they had all we needed.
After arriving home we were able to get caught up on email and bills because of the fast Wi-Fi. A large part of the day was spent downloading files for the new electronics, plus bank and credit card statements. We are managing to blend the mundane with “living the dream”.
When we looked out the days was half gone so we went for a bike ride. We explored parts of Benton Harbor that were trying to be revitalized and compete with St. Joe. Wolfe Marine is also in Benton Harbor and that provided an hour of window shopping through aisles of boat paraphernalia. Again it is great to get some exercise.
After dinner we were going to go for a walk and have a drink at St. Joe’s Yacht club. We used to go there after the tri state race to St. Joe and we also were there a couple of years ago for a very nice buffet with a friend of Mike’s.
I have to tell this- sorry Francie. On the way we stopped at the marina facilities and Francie had to check out the laundry. Good laundry facilities are an important part of our new life. I watched her go in to check it out. She came out and suddenly went right back in. Now how long does it take to see a washer and dryer? I went back to reading my book. I looked up a few minutes later and no Francie. I became concerned – again how long does it take to see a washer and dryer? As I approach she comes out smiling and excitedly waving to me. I thought she had found a winning lottery ticket. There in a tiny room sat two brand new state of the art Maytag appliances. “Look at these. Aren’t they great – and – they are free. By the way, the world headquarters for Whirlpool is in St. Joe. They make Maytag.
As we began our walk, I knew she was distracted and I also knew that we were going to be doing laundry. Facing the inevitable, I announce that we should go back and get our laundry.
The machine was a top loader with a glass top but had no agitator. The electronic controls panel rivaled an airplane. This machine did everything. And you think our lives are exciting. Please picture two adults watching their clothes being washed making comments like “That is fascinating – how is it going to get them clean?” It was a memorable evening – drinking beer and washing clothes. Just an aside – Francie learned the next day that the machine was a prototype and would be manufactured in the near future.
July 29, 2010
Our destination was South Haven. This is our first time visiting. The town is very nice with lots of stores and restaurants. We walked through town and visited the maritime museum. The tall ship in the pictures is the “Goodwill” ship which tours from the museum, we saw them on the Lake and them watched them sail to their dock in the river.
August 1, 2010
Where has the summer gone? We have spent the last few days in Holland, Michigan. We anchored the first night. It was nice to be away from a marina. Since Pat and Christine, Mike’s son and soon to be daughter-in-law were going camping with their cousins from East Lansing, we pulled into a marina yesterday. We spent part of the day at the beach with them. After they went to their campsite, we rode our bikes to get groceries. The store was 5 miles away. It is always amazing how much we can fit on the bikes. Mike keeps saying it will never fit, but we manage to get it all on the bikes including 2 small watermelons and a box of wine. All that exercise was topped off with ice cream from the general store (in spite of the long line)!
Today we rode the bike path that (more or less) follows the lakeshore to Grand Haven. We rode a total of 24 miles, including a stop at a blueberry farm, but never made it to Grand Haven. Legs were sore but butts were more so. Tomorrow we are on to Muskegon.
We had been promising ourselves that we would open up a bottle of champagne that we had been given as a gift for our retirement; we were told that it is the same champagne that they drink at the White House. So, cheers to you and our Commander in Chief . . . . .