9-20-2021 Wisconsin to Michigan

 9-19-2021  I’m back!

 

Quality time with loved ones for a few days.  No time for stories.  We’re worn out and happy.  Tomorrow we face a dilemma.  We are scheduled to arrive in Manitowoc, WI to cross Lake Michigan on the SS Badger.  The weather is coming up.  Rain storms are predicted.  Will they sail?  Don’t rightly know but if they sail in a thunder storm on Lake Michigan, I’m on it.  This will be my first time crossing the lake in cloudy, rainy weather.  If they don’t sail, many plans go on the ash heap.  We’ll go with, “Sail.”

 

Today, Monday, we are on the road early.  We are required to be at the ship’s loading dock at least one hour early, for one thing.  But on the way, there is another bucket list item that I had to check off:  A visit to see the largest flagpole and free-flying flag in the world.  This giant is on the property of the Acuity Insurance Corporation in Sheboygan, WI, which touts itself as the “Home of the World’s Tallest Symbol of Freedom.”  Here are some stats:  The flagpole is 400 feet tall, 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.  The flag itself weighs 250 pounds and it takes a crew of 5 to raise and lower the flag so that it never touches the ground.  The base of the pole is secured by 144 bolts and 700 cubic yards, 2, 835,000 lbs., of concrete.  The surrounding top layer in the shape of a teardrop is inlaid bricks, 750 of which are engraved with the names of Sheboygan County veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in our wars.  You see, this flagpole is not simply a tourist destination, it is a Veterans Memorial.  Worthy of our time and a whisper, “Thank you, Troops.”

Teardrop-shaped pavers

Rob at the flagpole's base

That little white dot
at the base of the flagpole 
is me, Lindy!

 

The SS Badger is many decades old beginning its service in 1953.  It is the last large coal-burning steam ship in the United States.  The greenies wanted to kill the boat because it ran on coal.  They lost.  It was listed as a National Historic Landmark 2009.  In 1996, the Badger’s propulsion system was designated a mechanical engineering landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  The diameter of the propellers is 13’ 10.”  Each engine is worth 4,000 horsepower and 167,000 pound-feet of torque and so the ship can reach a speedy 20 mph!  The old ship was rescued and restored and put back into service in 1991.  It can carry 620 passengers and 180 vehicles (including semis and those the size of Noobee).  Originally, it was designed to carry 34 railcars and in 1903, it transported 75,000 railcars across Lake Michigan.

On approach to the Badger 9-20-2021

    

 

I just couldn’t believe we were watching Noobee boarding a monster ship.  It was so exciting I nearly had a heart attack.  Then the Jeepster followed close behind.  Their accommodations are almost nicer than those for the humans!  After we watched our two buddies get boarded, we went up top to the human decks where we had a lunch of beer, a brat and a pizza.  Later, a couple more beers on the deck.  Earlier, the day started out cold and rainy as far as Sheboygan.  Then the rain subsided to just a mist.  Finally, in Manitowoc, the rain quit but the black clouds still threatened.  On board, it was beyond windy and cold but we spent the whole 4-hour cruise on the front deck.  It was glorious!  I even got a big smile and a wave from the Captain from the bridge!  The swells weren’t too bad and the water, my God, it is so deep blue!  You could see forever and all you see is water, no land in sight, as if you were on the ocean.  Slowly, eventually, the cloud cover burned off.  As promised by the rainbow we docked at Ludington in the sunshine!  I hooted and cheered as Noobee and the Jeepster emerged dry, safe and happy from their nest in the hold.  What an incredible experience!

Noobee onboard

Jeepster boarding

 

Yo!  Captain!

Keeping an eye out

On the deck of the bow

Ah, a rainbow!

Rob on the portside walkway

On approach to Ludington, MI

Two miles later, we are parked comfortably at the absolutely gorgeous Poncho’s RV Park.  We lost an hour and so parked and hooked up to our camp in the dark.  Not so common for us.  Time for a quick toonie to celebrate a phenomenal day.  I am after-glowing so bright it’ll keep Rob awake.    Good night, Friends!

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