Usual issues no wifi, so playing catchup again!
We had an easy run out to the entrance of Lake Michigan .There we found lumpy seas with 2 ft waves but a lovely sunny day. Passing lots of sand dunes along the way.
It was a short 1hr 45 min journey and we were soon heading up the river to the Manistee Municipal Marina. We bowed into no 4. Slip, facing the river walk path. Good thing we were not too close to the river bridge noise or lots of passing people. A perfect slip. Very nice Marina bathroom and lounge facilities. As the usual story , (wifi not working waiting for the tech guy to comeh , we headed off into the main Street of town( called River Street,no guessing why!) stopped for lunch at Goody's where we could get wifi. This town is called Michigan's "Victorian Port City" with its wonderful 19 th century restored collection of Victorian era buildings.It also has a mile and a half long scenic Riverwalk which takes you out to the river entrance of Lake Michigan.
After lunch we walked River Street and then headed for the 1 pm Trolley bus tour of the town.
This service is run by the Manistee County Transport as is the wonderful Dial a Ride service where you can call in and have a bus take you or pick you up anywhere in the area. Bus costs $1 for Seniors and $2 for adults! And that's to go anywhere!
Tim our guide on the trolley bus was very enthusiastic about his hometown and filled us with lots of interesting information and history on the 50 min trip.Highly recommend doing it if you visit here.
We saw lots of lovely old homes , built back in1800's by lumber Barons. Lumber made more individual fortunes than Califorina gold Sadly the town had a big fire here in Oct 1871 and much of it was destroyed then. It was the same year Chicago had their big fire.
There used to be 100 ft high sand dunes here and the silica was extracted and sold to the automotive industry for making glass windows in their cars. We also passed the Ramsdell Theatre where we learned James Earl Jones the actor ( Star Wars and other films) got his first break.
Apparently he was a stutterer as a child and he was encouraged to try acting here and the help he was given enabled him to overcome this problem. Stopped on the way back in a few fun shops , The Ideal Kitchen, being one of them.Had everything you could possible want for a kitchen!
Graeme spied an old recipe book on display written by Graham Kerr our famous NZ TV cook. So he told the shop owner the history of how Graham Kerr got his start as a chef.He was trained in NZ as an Air Force chef!So funny to see him dressed in his three piece suit ( complete with pocket handkerchief ) on the cover of the book. You Kiwis may remember him!
Erica had arranged with Dial a Ride to be picked up at 3.30 pm so we could play golf at the Manistee Golf and CC. A great deal $25 per person including the cart and the course sat on the edge of Lake Michigan.After we finished, we headed back to the club house for a beer.
At the bar , we got talking to the serving lady.Turns out she has horses and works with some emotionally disturbed kids and her horses. So soon Laura and Erica were sharing horse stories!
As the Dail a Ride service had finished for the day , Laura organized us a ride back to the boat with the club scretary who was just leaving. What kind ladies. So impressed with the friendliness in this state.
Also learned from Laura that Mortons and Lawrys table salt comes from here.
We had light dinner on board and then Graeme relaxed and Erica took off on the Riverwalk to getsome sunset photos .
So ended a lovely day.Wish we had known those place was such a hidden gem , we would have stayed longer.
Over and Out,
E and G
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