Monday - July 13

We decided to try and get to Ludington today (26 miles south), but with SW winds, not sure - on a good day, could be rough let alone dealing with vertigo.    Well, it was not pleasant so we turned around and came back into the municipal marina.

Mark had looked into "urgent care", "prompt care", or "walk-in clinic" which was listed for the hospital here in Manistee.(3.5 miles away)    Thru the "Looper" association, some towns have "harbor hosts" to assist those doing the Loop with whatever they may need.    There was one listed for Manistee, so Mark called Kevin and he came and took us to the "walk-in clinic" which does not exist.    Arghhhh - I had to go thru the ER for Munson Healthcare - several buildings on campus but no "walk-in" place even though Google and their website gives a specific address.

Mark and Kevin talked "boats"and he and his wife plan to do the Loop in the future.    Long story short and 1.5 hours later, I had a Rx for Meclizine and a print out for the Epley maneuver.   Dr. Stull diagnosed me with  BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).

 Kevin came back to get us, we stopped at Meijer for the Rx and on back to the marina with big thanks to Kevin.   I was feeling pretty good so we walked downtown to TJ's Pub (great lunch again).    Then back for naps and a quiet afternoon.    Meclizine makes me drowsy.

Mark did the Epley maneuver late afternoon but boy, my head was spinning every which way - vertigo is soooo awful.    I've never been in a clothes dryer, but that's what it feels like when the vertigo is happening and I'm spinning outta control.

Other big news - our new grand dog, "Graham" arrived today at Erin and Ryan's.    We hope he'll bring them many years of joy and adventure.    Welcome to the family, Graham!

Graham and Erin

Sunday - July 12

 Beautiful day but I'm feeling really blah.....Mark rode his bike to the pharmacy and got me some Dramamine - sure has made me drowsy, so I took some good naps.

We did walk downtown and shared a delicious breakfast burrito at Trophies.   Later in the day Mark got a dish of ice cream to share.

Liam is back in Minneapolis tonight on a high from his big weekend and doing his 1st 1/2 Ironman.    He really enjoyed it all and never once thought "Why am I doing this"?    

 

Saturday - July 11

 So very proud of these 2 guys who did their very first 1/2 Ironman in Muncie, IN today.  This consists of 1.2 miles of swimming; 56-mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run.    The heavy rain came 1/2 way into their run.  Anne was there to cheer them on.    Patrick's buttons would've been a'poppin!  😔

Our star athletes

Another lovely day here in Manistee and we got to 79.    A perfect summer day.    I had a good night sleeping in the main salon propped up with pillows - we did the Epley Maneuver, so.....time will tell.

I walked downtown for a latte at Outpost and hit a few shops.    Back to Catrina and we started our long but very pleasant trek on the Riverwalk.   Today we went further... all the way to the Lake Michigan entrance.  

Came back and rested for a bit and then to TJ's Pub for delicious lunch - it's in the basement of an old bank building.   We went our separate ways - Mark had some errands and I did some more browsing.

 

This neat flower garden plot is just one of several we saw along our walk - "Jane's Garden"

The Manistee Princess is docked near us and takes folks out for sunset cruises every night

Hello from Lake Michigan 

Happy Birthday to our grand daughter-in-law, Tessa who celebrates today!   She's on the water so in her "happy place"    And thankful to hear "Maverick" is doing much better.

Tessa

So many boaters passing by here at the marina all day - families, dogs, fishermen, etc. enjoying this great day.   We saw several fishing guys on our walk earlier - they had been out early on charter boats and had some very good catches....salmon and lake trout - Yum.....some good eating coming for these folks.

We walked 1/2 hour to St. Joseph of the Divine Mercy Parish.    Another very packed church and a neat priest (Father James Bearss) and choir.

We walked past an A & W Root Beer stand on our way to church - hadn't been to one of these in a long time, so after Mass, we stopped and each had a root beer float.   really hit the spot!

Forgot to mention that Mark got a haircut yesterday after we were settled at Dick's Barber Shop.    What a deal - $18.

WOW....we really got the steps today, 15,408 for me and 13,000 for Mark (browsing the shops for me made the difference!)  😀

 

Friday - July 10

 Woke up with vertigo again......UGH!!!!!!!   Not that that stuff goes away anytime soon.   I slept good but then when I try sitting up....... everything is going round and round and total chaos and just bonkers - hard to describe but NOT fun.     Got out of bed SLOWLY with Mark's help.   We took it easy and left at 9:00 for Manistee (29 miles south)..    It was a beautiful day with calm water.   No problem for me on the trip!

Another neat Michigan town with at least 3 levels....we walked up the steps and tah dah - lots of shops in old buildings, restaurants, ice cream, bakery, etc.    We went into Outpost - very nice men and women's clothing AND coffee!   I had an iced latte and we kept on walking on the very nice Riverwalk.   Manistee did it up really good with this awesome path for pedestrians only - no bikes!

We tried one of the at-home methods for vertigo, but it was not good!    Gotta keep my head elevated - no lying down!!!    Unfortunately the urgent care  in town is closed till Monday.

Very nice boater's lounge

Thursday - July 9

 When I got up this morning.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,whooaaa....some serious vertigo going on.     Back in 2010 when we were hit by the car in St. Pete, FL, I had this in the hospital - scary and just plain AWFUL.    I think maybe 2 other times since I've had it.    When we were in Bloomington back in '10, I went to the Balance Clinic and they showed Mark what to do and how to do it if this should happen again (Epley maneuver) - crystals or "rocks" in my head get out of sync causing the severe dizziness.    I remember many years ago my Mom having this - felt so bad for her and not understanding what it's like till I had it.

So, could not believe where this came from out of the blue today.    It doesn't last long, but everything is moving and tilting and swaying and I'm perfectly still.    

Mark went to Perks and Petals for coffee and I just took it easy but feel fine!    Later we walked downtown and browsed in the bookstore - named "The Bookstore".   

We walked in some of the residential areas - love all the older homes meticulously kept up with beautiful landscaping (lots of flowers and flags), porches, swings, rocking chairs, wicker furniture - sooo charming and All-American.    It seems red geraniums are the most popular flower and they are everywhere!

Almost back to Catrina when it started drizzling - we had rain overnight but thought it was done (had been predicted for all morning).    Then the fog rolled in - weird - could hardly see the boats out on the lake.    Finally cleared around 1:30 so we were off on the bikes and did 12.3 miles today.    We went as far as the trail was paved and then it was aggregate (pea gravel) - no thanks!   By this time we were ready to turn around.

The sun came out around 3:15 but only 72 for a high.    

We had a late lunch and took it easy until another walk - such a pretty evening after a gloomy most of the day.

Geraniums

Daisies

Petunias