Thursday - June 2

  HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  RYAN

How can our "baby" be 37?     Time flies when you're having fun and Ryan has certainly

 blessed us with many moments of pride and joy. 

After all the rain (1.15") things are fresh and cool with a high today in the 60's.    No sunshine, though!   

My captain was getting antsy and thought we should get out on the water for a little trip so we left just before 10 and caught the 10:00 bridge opening and headed across the lake to Put in Bay (13.8 miles).   It was a little choppy but Catrina handled it well!   This place is always hoppin' with it's big party atmosphere (Boats, Bars, Booze and Babes).    Today, however, during the week and not the best weather, it was really empty with just 3 other boats in the harbor when we arrived. 

Our marina and park were discovered and bought by Mr. DeRivera in 1854. 

  Put in Bay is a town on South Bass Island

Two nice dockhands helped with our lines and power cords.    Then we were off (in the rain) to get some lunch.    The Upper Deck was just a short jaunt and had heard they have great lobster bisque......that it was and hit the spot on this chilly day.   We also shared a perch sandwich 👍👍👍

Catrina is docked near the Perry Victory and International Peace Memorial

honoring hero, General Perry in the War of 1812.

Mark took a nap after lunch and I checked out some shops.     Amazing the difference from when we were here last summer which had oodles of people and golf carts.   

11 months ago today - July 2, 2021, we were here for the Gatlin show and what a fun time that was.    Our favorite husband/wife team (Darryl and Andrea from Fort Myers) had a 1-time appearance at the opening of a friend's new bar.    We came across by the Jet Express ferry.    Bummer they are not coming for any shows this summer. 

Around 2, the sun came out, the wind died down and wow - a gorgeous afternoon.    We rented a golf cart for 2 hours and explored the island (1.5 by 3.5 miles).    

My chauffeur and ride

First stop was at The Chocolate Cafe for coffee/hot chocolate.  

The Chocolate Cafe (museum, restaurant/coffee/desserts/ice cream)

and pretty flowers

 Still chilly in the shade and when moving down the road.    Everyone was wearing hoodies or jackets of some sort!  We checked out the residential areas of small cabins/cottages and the gorgeous homes on the water.    

Love the names of some of the homes...Shangri-la, Westwind, Puddin' Cove,  My Happy Place and on and on.    Here are a few of the lovely homes (old and new) 

we saw...

This is an old ship converted into private residence.   We've seen this place from the water, but today, got a bit closer at the Alfred Parker Park 

Bunches of padlocks on the fence in the park like on Kelly's Island and in 

Marathon, FL on the 7-miles bridge.

New home under construction

with garage to the side and pool in back!

The view these lucky home owners will have when they move in!

And then the flowers...

Pretty poppies

Ladd Car Wildflower Woods

Lovely Iris

Climbing bush (clematis?) outside the Anchor Inn

We enjoyed walking around the downtown area and then a glass of wine on Catrina's bridge - nice ending to this awesome day.    There are now 14 boats in the marina.

Sun setting over Put In Bay