Day 75 - Exploring Potawatomi State Park and grilling ashore!
Thankfully we had a rather normal morning. The predicted winds had come and I was glad our anchor was stuck in good even though we have a seaweed curtain on our anchor rode (indicating weeds that are sometimes are so thick your anchor can’t get to the sand below and therefore not hold). We got Kona to shore around 10am for play time and then came back for brunch before we began our day around noon. Retirement is great.
We left Kona on board as we loaded up the scooters to shore to go explore. Captain and I have been calling Sturgeon Bay home for seven out of the eight years we have had her. Because we always used it more of parking lot for out boat and always set sail right away, the time we spent in town was spent at the marina with a few things here and there. So, we went to Potawatomi State Park! This park runs a significant length along the west shore of the bay. Captain wanted to show me his prized winter camp site and I wanted to see the fire tower which I hadn’t made it too yet. My time is this park has been limited. It was a really nice day. There was a good breeze on shore, it was warm enough for a t-shirt, but a sweatshirt (especially on a scooter) made it perfect! There is a smell of early fall in the air. The roads that take you to the park from our little park are all neighborhood streets and line the bay. We have never seen Ciara from this shore before! That was cool. We rode to Captains campsite and then decided to talk to some rangers and glad we did as we found out good information for this winter’s camping that does affect us, but all is good there.
We came to a nice big, but somehow didn’t seem to strain the scooters too much, hill that took us to the fire tower. It was a beautiful tower with dark and light wood contrasts. Both Captain and I remarked “at least this tower doesn’t have fiber glass wrapped around the base like the one on Washington Island.” It did look very nice but half way up Captain saw a tension rod that looked like it didn’t have enough threads engaged and then we both of us noticed…the fiberglass. I’m certain its all good. I think they just reopened anyhow. It just assumes me. Poor towers. Fun fact, Captain and I were on the old Eagle Fire Tower many years ago. The next day we read that they were condemning the tower. Ha! The new tower there is the best though with a ACA ramp to the top, walking among the tress.
The views from this tower were amazing! We were lucky to have a rather clear day and I was reminded how many days this summer have really been extremely hazy. Amazing sunsets…at a cost.
We then scootered over to the end of the Ice Age Trail. Another cool over look of an old earthen ski-hill. That was an impressive point of view of that sport and time. We goofed off at the trail head to take pictures. It was fun as have done a handful of segments across WI (It goes past my house in Cross Plains) over the years and it was neat to see the official terminus.
It was time to turn around, and we headed back, back down the big hill and to the campsites when I realized I left my bag at the fire tower! Blah. I left Captain at a bench and was back in 15 minutes. Yay! Phew!
We decided to do something new for dinner. Grill ashore. There is a park at the beach that has a shelter. It wasn’t reserved for anything after 4pm and it had this huge multi-stationed grill. Captain would go to the store while I manned to the boat and we were going to make Kababs and corn on the Cob. “Kababs and Cobs” Ha. Ok. With all the here’s and there’s we were making dinner ashore around 6:30. Captain managing the kitchen while I had my game of Frisbee taken over by some very attentive kids (I think up to five pretty young kids) who would demand Kona sit, then shake before they threw it for her. She played perfectly. Tender, never got near the little kid in the way and so on. Dang that dog.
Dinner was amazing! I think we salvaged the left-over steak and with added fresh veggies it was pretty magical. Of course, being ethical pirates, we were charging our drained scooters and lithium batterie at the public facilities.
We took a load of our gear back to Ciara and then took a walk to our old marina. It was super quiet. Oh yeah, it’s Sunday night. We did run into some old dock mates and chatted for a bit.
We met a lady on the way home, with a dog of course. She learned that we were “the people on that boat?” She lives on the street that overlooks where we are anchored. She said “what a romantic life you lead!” as she continued to be thrilled to meet us and tell us how much they have enjoyed looking at us. “You are living my dream” said another neighbor in a follow up text and wishes for us to meet again. I continue to be aware of what we have been able to achieve and that we ARGH doing this and not just saying “one day.” (Nod to Captain Ron <wink>). I continue to enjoy meeting so many neat, interesting, unforgettable people.
The temps are sooooo nice. The weather forecast is windy tomorrow but no rain (and a lot of it) until later in the afternoon. With all the fresh air, I think we were in bed around 11pm. I’ll take it.
