Wisconsin July-August 2015 Part 2

After Jen and Dave arrived at our hotel, The Country Inn Suites in Suamico, and checked in we all went to the stadium to eat at the new 1919 restaurant  which replaced the original Curlys.  Nice new facility.   Very modernish with a sleek bar and a warehouse feel to it because of the high ceilings.  Cavernous comes to mind..  Menu was lackluster and expensive.

We all went to the pro shop where others spent money and then came back to the hotel where J&J (Jack and Jonah) joined their parents in the hotel pool.  The grandparents mysteriously took to lounging in bed or, for some, napping. 

We didn't venture out and everyone had delivered dinners from The Bar across the parking lot.  Except me.  Being the odd one, I walked over to Festival grocery store across from the hotel, and built a salad at their salad bar while the everyone else ordered food from The Bar, which delivered.

The development where the hotel is located is at one side of this large retail/condo development named, UrbanEdge.  Sleepy quiet Suamico is fast becoming a surging metropolis.  A corn field it is no longer.

Next morning we all were up early although Mary was up before anyone.  Lest anyone leap to a false conclusion, it was, of course the first Packer practice.  Nothing less would motivate a pre-9AM wake-up.  We headed out around 8:30 to Oneida Street and the stadium.

Mary and I got a terrific parking spot right in the stadium parking lot near Oneida and walked a short distance to the practice field.   We ended up very near the practice field gate along with a collection of bikes parked along the curb.

Before it got crowded.  Recognize that stern fan glaring at player who dropped a pass?

We could see the players running around, but the real entertainment was the kids and their bikes.  They are all lined up along the curb anticipating the end of practice.  A few minutes before practice ends, a sizable security staff directs a number of kids and their bikes to line up along the path in front of the practice field gate. 

Jordy Nelson, the only player I recognized

As the players come out, some choose a bike to ride while others walked and talked with spectators. A  few signed autographs although there were several hundred people standing in the official designated autograph line further down the street towards the stadium.

Yes, they do come from all over

The players are some pretty sizable people.  Ever watch a bike disappear when someone sits on it? 

The whole event seems to be orchestrated to a high degree.  I recall years ago it was much more free flowing without the hovering staff directing everything.  Still, it was fun to watch all the managed chaos.

After practice we made a stop and Mary's doctor where she filled out more forms.  Then we headed over to my eye doctor who pronounced everything fine.

Then we drove over to see Mary's doctor for a consultation and then back to the hotel.

We did eventually decide to drive to Door County the next day.  And we all fit in Dave and Jen's van too.

Dried up creek feeding Wequiock  Falls

First stop was Wequiock Falls County Park where there is a reputed statue of Jean Nicolet.  The park is a tiny little area and the falls weren't falling.  The creek was pretty dried up.  There was a nice public facility (restroom) we took advantage of but we never found the Statue.  This adventurous fellow  found out all kinds of interesting factoids we missed.

Next we stopped at  Bay Shore County Park where the kids had a few minutes of fun on the model ship before heading down the cliff to the lake (I almost said "sea") shore and boat ramp.  I'm told we stopped here a few times when our kids were young and I vaguely recall the place but we never stayed for long nor did we camp here either.

The beach was a stone skippers delight!  But alas, I've found my once prodigious stone skipping prowess has wilted dramatically.   It's like in Marathon where I was playing short stop and my first throw to first base lacked zip.  I mean it lazily drifted towards first base on a stiff breeze.  I did have a pretty good arm once upon a time.  Oh well ...

Then it was off again to Door County and right for Peninsula State Park where we made a beeline for Shanty Bay and the beach.  Due to the high water in Lake Michigan, the beach was, well, small.  It almost appeared to be a wholly different place.  The normal sand bar is still around and a boat I recognized as one we anchored with here many, many years ago was there in its customary place.

It's still a great anchorage

We spent several hours frolicking in the (chilly) water and eating pretzels and ice cream.  Mary even talked me into buying a pair of shorts, a battle we have been having for over a year.  I think my collection of comfortable attire is fine.  She feels otherwise, describing my wardrobe as threadbare, fashionless and other more blatant derogatory labels.

So I bought them from the lady who sells clothes at the Park's snack bar.  As it turns out she and her husband are cruisers too and live on a boat for most of the year except when they're up in Door County selling clothes to finance their travels.  We exchanged boat info and I'm betting will run into them in the Exumas next year.  Of course I will be wearing the shorts.

As befitting tradition we next went to the Eagle Observation Tower.  Except the DNR has closed it due to some structural issues!  Heck, I've been climbing that thing 55 years. And I was all set to race my grandchildren up to the top.  I'd have won, (of course) but alas I'll never be able to reap a victors due reward. 

One the way back we stopped at Stoneharbor to eat.  We left before the band started up although after talking with the roadies I was sort of wanting to stay around and listen to them.

Saturday we slept later and decided to meet the Hagens at Manitowoc.  They decided to hit the road early, before we were up and about.  

We met them at the yacht harbor and walked around the breakwater.  Jonah and I sauntered out on the breakwater to the lighthouse and watched the Ferry, Badger, leave to cross the lake.  Later we headed towards the small beach nearby and the younger set dipped their toes in the calm but frigid water.  We left shortly after to go back to the Hotel in Suamico.

In the center are David, Jen, Jonah and Jack standing in the un-warm water

The next day we stopped in to see Dave and Kathy at their home in near Kewaskum.  While Dave and I went golfing at Washington County Golf Course, Kathy, Mary and Susan, (Kathy's sister who is staying with them) went kayaking on Cedar Lake.  They kayaked and then spent some quality time at a bar on the lake.

Dave birdied 6 of the first 9 holes and shot even par.  I was using Dave's old clubs which are so far superior to mine that it took me 18 holes to adjust to their superb feel and response.  I cite this as the reason I wasn't anywhere close to par.
  
What a great homestead they have there.  All those trees and land!  We all returned at about the same time and shared a few cocktails.  Great time!  Susan, who's planning on a cross country adventure in a van this year, was staying with Dave and Kathy until she leaves and it was great to talk with her.  We we had  a wonderful dinner proving once again that Dave is a mighty griller.  It was a good visit.  Next time we see them will probably be in December if we do go back to WI then.   Or down south when they visit us on the boat.

Sure, take two donuts before grandma ... oops.  Too late.   Hi Katlin!

Water bugs.

Later in the week we embarked on some beach days. We took Jack, Jonah, and Seany to City Beach on Lac La Belle lake in Oconomowoc.  Lots of running.  Lots of splashing.  Lots of water.  Lots of fun.  I'll sleep well tonight!.

Seany and Nona at the beach

On another day Jack and Jonah were busy so we just took Seany!  Lots of running, lots of water, lots of....   And again I'll sleep really well!

Jan, Dan and Judy scrutinizing the Libby Montana menu

We spent a late afternoon and evening with Mary's brother and sister and Gene our brother in-law.  Heck even Don and Linda showed up.  Cocktails and Dan's and then over to Libby Montana's for dinner.  Always good to catch up!  

Over the weekend LeAnn and Brant drove down from Minnesota to see Sammy.  They stayed with Greg and Laura the first night and then spent the next night at Jen and Dave's with us.  Sammy must wonder why all these strange faces magically appear from time to time waking him up from his peaceful nap.

Golfers

Brant, Greg and I golfed Saturday while Mary and the Hagen's headed off to the brewery tour at Miller Brewing Company which is now Miller-Coors.  Greg had to leave right after but Brant and I were going to join them but it got late so we just stopped at a local place, Hops and Leisure which was previously the Harley Davidson dealership.  It was really good.  Again. 

Again?  Yes, we had drinks and dinner there the other night with Dave and Dana, old boating friends for many years.  They still have their house in the subdivision where we lived years ago.  We always have a riotous time when we get together.  

For our last trip north we, again, drove up to Green Bay for a medical test Mary needed to have.  Our one big regret is not having enough time to see Tim and Jill!  They bought a boat similar to one we owned and I was looking forward to a ride.  Next year I hope?!!

In preparation for taking Jack golfing we went to the driving range.  Even though he kept trying to hit me with careening golf balls and from his spontaneous trick shots, I tried giving him swing tips.  In retrospect my tips are probably pretty worthless given that I'm such a crappy golfer.  But on the other hand he'll know what not to do!

When we get up before 9:30 we try and make it to Cafe Labelle at Shore Haven Nursing Home.

We’ve stopped here a number of times and its really good.  The Cafe staff knows us now.  They have huge omelettes.  It's a nice place right on the shore of Lac La Belle.  Maybe in a few years we'll be able to take the elevator down?

We stopped in to see my mother again and the The Lutheran Home.  Dave and Kathy met us there along with my sister, Heidi.  The things you learn.

Learning all kinds of things from my mother

For instance I never knew my mother accepted $100 in 1950 to name me, George.  Maybe for $200 I could have been a Bartholomew.

My own mother proudly verified that I was on a leash during my spirited toddler years.  Was I really that wild?

And we also found out that our grandmother had a nude portrait done many, many years ago which was found hidden behind a vanity in their bedroom when the house was sold.   I knew I had a hot grandma but Nana.  Really? 

Waiting to eat and drying off at Juniper 61

After all these revelations, a big storm rained (pun intended) down upon us as we made our way from the nursing home to a restaurant on North Avenue and 61st street, Juniper61.  It was crowded and we were all soaked waiting at the bar.  Dicey beginning but pleasant after.

Jack and I finally went golfing at Rolling Hills golf course, now known as Lac La Belle Golf Club.  We started out ok, no balls through a window and luckily, the starter got us on the back nine where there was an outing about 5 holes ahead of us and no one else.

Looks like a great swing!

Jack was enthralled with the prospect of driving the cart.  So (hey, I'm a grandpa!) I said sure and turned the wheel over to him.  I noticed right away his technique was disturbingly similar to his aunt.  Pedal to the metal!  Thank god there wasn't a radio!

But for the grace of god it couldn't lay patches 

Drag racing through the course, we did pretty well.  Jack hit the ball fairly straight and even came close to paring two holes!  Our only hiccup occurred when he parked the cart on a slight incline and forgot to set the brake.  I was treated to the sight of Jack trying to hold back an accelerating golf cart.  Jack, thankfully, finally heeded my shouts and let go of the thing.  It ended up in the woods.  Not deterred at all he raced us at breakneck speed through the remaining few holes.  We finished in just under 2 hours.

How bad would it be if I gave him souped up Mustang for his 16th birthday?

Jonah's birthday party was on a Sunday and was it usual fun affair.  Dave even made a "plank" for

Walk the plank!

kids to walk.  It was after all a pirate themed party.  There were 3 pools available.  And water guns.  And I availed my self of some of the aquatic weaponry to wreck havoc on my young tormentors.

After we spent some time with Tim and Jen, Jennifer and Dave's next door neighbors.  Its great they all get along so well.

A somber group ready for a nice quiet drive to the Y

Next day we took Sean, Jack and Jonah to the Y to swim.  You may think they are water bugs.  You would be correct.   All three of them underwater most of the time.  

Tomorrow is the PGA championship at Whistling Straits.   Greg and I are attending because I have a generous, golf-loving son!!  On the downside I have to get up at 6:15AM.   Guess its like a Packer practice for me, rising so early to attend a sporting event.

The PGA was wonderful.  The players were incredibly good.  And I admit the controversy over the t-shirt versus collard shirt was pretty much settled with my more relaxed view of attire (T-shirt) very much in the minority.  Greg, knowing all this, lent me one of his collared shirts since I own only a few and they are tucked away on the boat in an obscure corner of a dark closet.

The course is a quite a site with little knolls and overlooks of the lake.  Very nice and a bit of a chore to trek around.  The PGA did a pretty good job of making walk-able paths to view all the holes and most of the tee-boxes.  We hung on the back nine and never made it to the front nine.

Fashionably attired golf fan complete with new hat and borrowed shirt  

This is Greg but does not look like him at all.  Must be the hat

When we entered we both went and bought hats to combat the unrelenting sun.  It was really hot, upward near 90.  And winds were westerly so no cool lake breeze.

We walked past the clubhouse where, years ago, we threw a pre-wedding party for Brant and LeAnn. 

Wedding Party hall, now a PGA club house

That’s where Brant met all of us and then had to ride back to Green Bay with the rear fender of my old Honda Civic sticking out between them.   The fender was hanging loosely when we walked out after dinner so I tried to prop it up a bit, but instead it just basically fell off.  Not wanting to loose such a precious artifact, we somehow crammed it in the car and made it back to Green Bay without too much trouble. Welcome to the family Brant!   I later bolted it back on and added a few wire ties to keep it secure.  Man I miss that car and all my "special" modifications.

13th hole I think running along the lake.

Tenth Tee.  It was early so no crowds.  They were all on the front nine.

So Brant ... do you do family rates?

The only complaint I have on the PGA event were the legion of PGA staffers and officials strutting around.  Crowd control and security I suppose, but it dampened the festive nature a bit.

Traffic was not at all bad considering the number of people there (20,000??).

We watched the last 7 groups of the players tee off at the 11th hole.  We were able to get a spot right at the railing surrounding the tee box.   Wonderful view of them hitting the ball 300 yards.  And straight.  The PGA officials were adamant about NO PHOTOS.  So no pictures, sorry  

 I do recall the eventual winner, Jason Day, was laser-focused and didn't do much but grab a club and hit the ball.  Spieth looked like a high school kid except he hit the ball out if sight.

We dashed back to the car after the last group teed off.  The parking lot was a good mile or two away but traffic, as I said, wasn’t all that bad.

We stopped at Rosatis to get pizza for us including Laura and Seany.  Sorry Sammy.  In a few years though you'll be chowing down pizza with the rest of us.

Monday night Greg and Laura came over and we had a little party.  But poor Sammy had his first vaccinations and wasn’t feeling too good, and then Jonah somehow received three bee stings on his nose.  So there was much wailing and crying ... all because we were leaving?   Right ... 

We’re planning on departing at 7-7:30 for the 450 mile drive to Dayton.  We loaded the car Monday and its packed, and suffering a bit with all the extra weight. We are lugging back what we brought plus what we bought.  Deadly combination for a weight conscience car which, thankfully, we don't have.

We stopped at a gas station and filled up at the bargain price of $2.89, a $0.40 rise in price over a few days.   Its $1.99/ gal in South Carolina.

Kwik Trip where we stock up for the journey south

Driving from Ixonia towards Johnston Creek at sunny hour of 8:30AM, I was rapidly getting a feel for driving an overloaded car.  It sort of waddles down the road.  Our first stop, 15 miles from Ixonia, was the Kwik Trip.  Its a tradition.

We are taking  I-39 to I-74 thru Indianapolis to I-70. It saves us from Chicago and gives me a smile of satisfaction knowing I'm not giving Chicago $9 for the pleasure of crawling through traffic.  

We arrived in Dayton and Gordy and Joanne's house in Kettering around 6PM.  And Joanne had made spaghetti for us!  Yumm ...

Next day we went to the obligatory McDonalds for coffee and to talk with the cadre of Gordy and Joanne's friends.  Very fun.  What an interesting group of people.  I found that "Senior Coffee" can be down right lucrative ... to the senior, not McDonalds.

After, we stopped back at the house and then made our way to the Carillon Park and the Carillon Brewing Company for lunch.

JoAnne, Gordy and Mary at Carillon Brewing Company

Cracker maker in front of the wood fired ovens

They use original techniques there for brewing and making crackers as we found out.  The crackers are baked in  wood fired oven.  The building is a large post and beam place with all this beautiful wood exposed.  And the restaurant staff were all decked out in period costumes.  

The beer list was rich and varied.  We opted for the sampler and found a few tasty ones in there.  The alcohol content though was not unfettered.  Yikes!

After lunch we walked across to the Museum.  Its dedicated to Dayton and all the ingenious ideas that were born there.  Wright Brothers of course but there were others.  Very interesting place!  

Wright Flyer

The grounds are actually laid out as a little village and each building is a small museum of sorts.  They had a Wright Brothers building with one of the very early Flyers on display with a very informative docent.   

We decided to go out to eat dinner at a Mexican restaurant owned by George, a colorful character Gordy and Joanne knew.  Good food, and George of course came by to talk for a while.

We had pondered leaving really early in the morning.  Of course pondering is one thing but executing an early departure is not within our abilities.  We left after 8.

Our thoughts of grandeur, making it back in one day, withered on the vine of fatigue so we stopped at a hotel in Orangeburg, SC.  Traffic was incredibly heavy from Charlotte, NC, into South Carolina through Columbia to Orangeburg,  It was crawling.  I never knew this was such a congested corridor.  

We ended up staying at a Holiday Inn Express in Orangeburg even though there was a Hampton somewhere nearby.  

We rolled into the marina in the early afternoon.  Hot and steamy.  And the boat was still afloat.