Wednesday - July 1

 Welcome to July but boy it came in kinda scary.    Our morning started off good and early as we left Sister Bay at 5:50 AM knowing storms were predicted for later.   We had a good trip to Sturgeon Bay (30 miles) and after going under 2 bridges (1 was opened for us at 8:00), we then tied up at a free transient dock in front of some lovely condos in Graham Park

Since we couldn't check into the marina till 1 (most likely earlier, but since this was really early, we planned to walk downtown to a coffee shop and come back and wait out the storm on Catrina.)   And then this dear sweet lady (Annie) came out of her condo asking if we were aware that a very bad storm was coming and had already hit Green Bay causing damage with trees and power lines down and 60 MPH winds.   The sky was getting darker and darker.    We quickly battened down the hatches, took our bimini down and Annie said "I'll make you coffee"!    Come on in...So, we walked with her to her beautiful condo.    What a lovely lady who summers in Sturgeon Bay and lives in a retirement community in Milwaukee, rest of the year.

Annie

Annie made coffee and served us warm Kringle from Racine and bing cherries and we chatted away about boating, our families, etc.  We were so grateful to be inside warm and safe as the storm was ferocious with very strong winds, thunder, lightning and heavy rain.

Our friend Ed called while we were with Annie wondering how where we were, how we were doing, etc.    I had texted Fran that we were tied up along the wall, safe 'n sound.    So glad we left when we did early this morning - thanks to my weather/logistics guy!

Ed came to pick us up and go to his house - so good to see Fran (been several years but we were friends in Bloomington for many years thru boating in the power squadron - they were sailors.   They moved to Sturgeon Bay in 2006.    They are giving us their Highlander to use the next few days which is much appreciated.    Ed drove his truck and Mark the Highlander to the marina parking lot.   Then we went with Ed to get Catrina still in front of Annie's.    Ed went on home but we have a date for dinner tonight at the yacht club.    And, Annie is going to join us!

We got Catrina moved into her slip at the Quarter Deck (Skipper Bud's) and after our power cords and hose were hooked up, the rain started again.....we had lunch and there's more chance of storms later.

Annie has 3 sons living in Milwaukee, Vermont and Portugal and 8 grandchildren.    Her husband Dick died almost 2 years ago.    One of her sons, Dan, wrote a book about the Great Lakes - turns out Ed has read it and has also heard Dan speak.   So........he suggested we invite Annie to dinner.   Small world

Tonight we picked up Annie and met Ed and Fran at the Yacht Club for dinner,    Having lived in Sturgeon Bay or Door County for a long time, they knew many of the same folks.    We had such a fun evening.

Ed, Fran, Annie, Pat, Mark

Tuesday - June 30

 Storms were predicted today with strong winds....we walked to Al Johnson's Swedish restaurant (very popular and been in Sister Bay since 1973 and before that under a different name).    This place is known for the goats grazing on the green-grass roof and known for Swedish meatballs and other Swedish/American food for breakfast/lunch.    It is always packed and we had a 20 minute wait before 9:00 today.    Breakfast was very good and then back to Catrina.  

The goats are staying in the shade on rooftop of Al Johnson's

Weather was weird with strong wind, no wind, light rain and on and on, but nothing significant.    We did a load of laundry and walked to Analog for iced coffees (Happy Coffee closed at 11 for maintenance)?

Today was MUCH warmer since we've been up north AND humid!    

A 102' yacht "Sassy" came into the marina today - wow!    It spends the summer on the Great Lakes and winters in FL.    What a beauty.

"Sassy"

We walked to the Sister Bay Bowling Alley - thought they opened at 4 but only the bar, so we had a drink and enjoyed the cool AC till 5.    The 6-lane bowling alley was very busy with young families.   I visited with a very nice lady who was with her husband from St. Louis.    She is originally from Sister Bay and she reminisced on how it has changed.    Yesterday when they were coming from St. Louis, they stopped in Bloomington at Portillo's for lunch.    She lived in Chicago for several years and that was a favorite.

Each year around the 4th, they have a big reunion (always in Bailey's Harbor) so family will start arriving tomorrow....145 strong.

Dinner was great and by 5:15, all tables were full.    Mark had the perch and I had whitefish....delish!

Back to Catrina with threatening skies.    BUT.....all fizzled out and no rain or storms.    At 7:45, 3 BIG yachts came into the marina which caused quite a lot of attention (not as big as Sassy, but still big)!   

Tomorrow we are off to Sturgeon Bay (30 miles).   

Bye bye June...

Monday - June 29

Thunder, lightning, heavy rain and wind+++some pinging of hail woke us up at 4:45 this morning.   Rest of the day was dreary and low 70s.   We had breakfast, I walked to Happy Coffee for a latte and then did 2 loads of laundry.    They only have 1 washer/dryer here, but did the job.

On back to the boat, put the clothes away and had lunch.   

We remember 57 years ago on our wedding day, it was very hot and the church and reception hall did not have AC.   My how things have changed!

I went shopping in the afternoon - just one store "On Deck" but oh, it's fabulous - huge and so many neat clothes.    They have stores in other Door County towns.   I got 2 new tops!

It was a very funky weather day - mostly cloudy with the sun trying to peak thru, very windy and at times, there was a fog and haze over the water - just 72 for our high.

Sister Bay has several wooden benches scattered around the town - so convenient when you want to rest a bit!    All of them have "In Memory of......" what a nice idea and much appreciated by the tourists.

We had planned to eat at the Sister Bay Bowling Alley which has been around forever.    We remember eating here 20+ years ago and was very popular and still is.    So we got there at 5:15 tonight and there was a very long line...............so, we'll try again tomorrow night and be there at 4 when it opens.    We went across the street to Husby's - Mark had a whitefish wrap and I had a good ole Wisconsin brat with sauerkraut - both delish!

Walked afterwards and on back to Catrina - wind is still blowing like crazy!

Sunday - June 28

 Happy 57th to us...

June 28, 1969

June 28, 2026

We walked (uphill) to 10:00 Mass at Stella Maris - what a beautiful celebration, joyful choir and packed with vacationers which was great to see!    Father Tom Farrell serves 5 parishes in Door County (Sister Bay, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Bailey's Harbor and Jacksonport).    Today was Father's last day as he's retiring and will be living in Sister Bay.    

Walked "down" the hill and stopped at "Happy Coffee" for our morning fix and then met a couple walking their 2 dogs.    She was wearing a "Put-in-Bay" t-shirt, so we stopped and chatted.   They keep their boat in Port Clinton and know Dennis and Dave from our marina.  They are Mike and Anne (just like our twins).  Small world.   On back to Catrina.   It is another beautiful day in Door County!

Happy Birthday to Mark's sister Joan who was just 14 (57 years ago today)!

Our grand dog "Karen" (Erin and Ryan's Golden) has been sick this week and hard to diagnose and then developed pneumonia.     She spent the night at the vet's and this afternoon, the very hard decision to have her pass peacefully.   Unfortunately, Ryan is in training in Memphis; feel so for Erin - Karen was her "baby".    We are so sad for this news.   Jinx (Michael and Brooke's) died on Mark's birthday last November 7th and now Karen passed away on our anniversary.   🥹

RIP Karen

June 21, 2025

We went for a walk late afternoon - wow, what a big change with the temp much cooler, no sun and a few sprinkles.    We have a rainy week ahead!   😔

We had our anniversary dinner at "Chop" a short walk from the marina.   It is #2 in Sister Bay according to Trip Advisor - wonderful meal, service and ambiance.

r

Saturday - June 27

 What a gorgeous day.....sunny, calm and upper 60s as we borrowed the courtesy car here at Shipyard Marina for a trip to The Red Cup Coffee House.     What a popular and funky place.    It's fairly close to the ferry dock (cars and people), so lots of traffic especially on a Saturday morning when folks are coming to the island for the weekend.

We only had a short wait in line as it kept getting longer and almost out the door,    Mark had a breakfast burrito and I had a bacon, brie with honey drizzle croissant - both were delish along with our coffees.   

This place was full of mis-matched furniture, old timey stuff and just so eclectic and fun including tiny Christmas lights over the counter.   The Red Cup has been in business for 26 years - such a yummy menu.

Counter with Christmas lights

Mark with his I-pad and coffee waiting for his burrito.

The tablecloths were all oldies (cloth) that my Mom and Grandma had back in the day

We left Washington Island - what a great day on the water and we had a leisurely ride since we were in no hurry (check-in at Sister Bay is 1:00), and we only had 15 miles.    I kept wondering where were all the boats on Green Bay this spectacular day?    Saw very few and that was towards the end of the trip as we got closer to Sister Bay but that's where the action was.    Tied up at our slip with nice helper dockhands and a pump out right at the boat! 

Went for a walk - ooh my...........summertime has arrived with the weather and people everywhere - the beach is packed, boats coming and going, lots of traffic on the streets and crowded sidewalks.    We went to Analog Ice Cream and Coffee for some yummy cones and kept on walking eventually back to Catrina.   Ice cream was so yummy - we haven't exactly had "ice cream" weather!!!  

We sat on the bridge with our wine late afternoon and just soaked up all this warm sunshine!

After supper on Catrina, we walked down Bay Shore (where it's all happening) - still lots of people out and about.

We have an awesome spot for viewing the sunset, but some cloud cover tonight, so....

Catrina's home for the next 4 nights in Sister Bay