Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #59: Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and gingersnaps. We headed up to the office as we needed to sign up for another two days. While we were in the store we bought two more Kringle's as the staff here had them delivered today instead of Saturday as we had been asking when they were going to get more. We are still planning on leaving for Chicago on Sunday. There is a prediction of thunderstorms for the next 7 days. The winds look most favorable for a transit to Chicago on Sunday. Once we get into the rivers the winds will no longer a deciding factor on whether we travel on a particular day. We went for a 3.87 miles walk. We stopped by two looper boats but no one was either boat. 
We have loaded an app that is an "anchor alarm" that we have loaded on my I-phone and I-pad so that during the night or if we leave the boat while we are at anchor that we will be alerted if the anchor starts to drag. 
Mike has been using a combination of Skipper Bob Books, Alan Lloyd's Navigational Notes, conversations with other Loopers and Waterway Guide to determine marinas, anchorages, phone numbers for bridges and locks where we will be traveling. He has put together an itinerary that for each day that has Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. Our travel plans will now be based on getting though locks if we get held up we may need to alter our plans for the day.
Mike and I headed to the pool. It was slightly cool but very sunny. Ed came by wondering if Mike and I would help with on their boat. We went for a small ride but it was a bit windy. When we got back to the dock we went out to dinner with Suzanne and Ed to Infusino's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria we had a great meal. After dinner we headed to Divino Gelato Café for gelato which was awesome. Nancy sent a text asking us to join them on the dock by their boat as they were having a small gathering. We met Rick and Kris "Eagle One" they are currently looping; Hal and Wendy friends of Nancy and Carey that will be starting the loop next year; Nancy/Carey; Suzanne/Ed and Mike and I sat on the dock sharing information. While we were visiting we had a bunch of lightening but a few of us had checked the radar and it was clear. All of a sudden it starting to rain so the party broke up.

Armillary Sphere

The Racine Fire Department come out to the marina almost daily. Sometimes they run their drills and sometimes they just drive through the marina. Today was just a quick drive through.

Mike reviewing the river charts. Planning our stops for the next few weeks.

Mike writes out our itinerary.

Infusino's Restaurant and Pizzeria

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #58: Up at 6:30 A.M. we had a quiet morning having coffee, grapefruit and gingersnaps. Partly sunny this morning with cool temperatures in the low 60's, there is definitely feel of fall in the air here in Racine. We decided to do a bit of paperwork before going for our walk this morning. The marina is starting to get a bit busier as the holiday weekend approaches. We walked to Racine Riverside Marina to get some caulk for a project on the boat. Mike caulked a few places on the boat before we headed up to the flying bridge for happy hour. While we were up on the flying bridge we received a text from Suzanne about joining Ed and her on their boat for docktails. We had a great time joining Ed and Suzanne we are going to miss them when we leave on Sunday. We headed back to the boat about 7:20 P.M. for leftovers of steak and potatoes. While we had supper I got my I-Pad out so that Mike and I could watch college football on ESPN as  Northwestern and Purdue were playing. Mike and I are huge college football fans (YUP! it is that time of year). Time for football and relaxation aboard Parrot Bay.

Mike working on a caulking project on Parrot Bay.

College football season. We have two I-Pads and computers aboard the boat. We do have a TV so we can watch local TV as well.

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #57: Rain and thunderstorms overnight. This morning drizzle and cloudy. Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, nectarines and gingersnaps. We have signed up for an extra two days here in Racine so right now we are payed until Friday but will most likely stay until Sunday. Right now Sunday's weather looks like we will have a good day to make the 64 mile trip to Chicago. At noon we headed over to "Kostal Karma" to get a tour of their boat followed by Kevin and Sandy coming over to Parrot Bay to get a tour. Mike and I decided that since we only had a small lunch that we would go to The Brew House for an early dinner. We had a short happy hour. We headed to The Brew House for dinner. Mike had beef brisket and I had shrimp. We both very much enjoyed our dinners. When we got back to the boat we played 2 games of cribbage (Mike won both and one was a skunk). Nancy sent us a text about new Loopers that came in today to the marina, Mike and I headed over to meet them. Time for blogging and reading. It is cool and windy tonight we will not need the fans on tonight for the first time all summer.

Look what I got in the mail today!!! Thanks to my Mom (Rose) and Sister (Kris) for the beautiful fleece blanket 

It has pictures of my Mom, Dad Kris, Nana and Grandma Burdo. On the bottom the inscription "Everyday is a gift". 

Mike's beef brisket from The Brew House.

Patty's beer-battered shrimp.

When Loopers meet we exchange our boat cards. This is Parrot Bay's boat card.
 

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #56: Rain and thunderstorms at 5:00 A.M. this morning. It is suppose to get to 86 degrees today with severe thunderstorms later tonight. We were up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and Kringle. Starting to look ahead at the winds and it looks like Saturday afternoon it is suppose to finally start settling down. We are looking to possibly skip Waukegan making the run to Chicago from Racine. I got on Dockwa to try to book DuSable Sunday and Monday if we are able to get in (its Labor Day so we will see) we may just stay in Chicago the four days doing our site seeing Tuesday and Wednesday as planned. It will all depend on marina availability. Mike and I went for a 2.6 miles walk. Time for paperwork. We are meeting Carey and Nancy on their boat at 1:45 P.M. to talk more about plans for the rivers. Received our confirmation from DuSable Harbor we have reservations now starting on Sunday departing on Thursday (we have the same slip for all 4 days) depending on how much site seeing we get to do over the Labor Day weekend will determine how long we stay in Chicago. Now we wait to see what the weather/winds do for the next few days. At 1:45 P.M, we went over to Nancy and Carey's boat to see the new flooring that they had put in on their swim platform and back deck it is beautiful. We talked about the rivers.  Both were great about answering questions and giving advise on places to visit, anchorages to visit etc. Mike and I headed back to our boat for happy hour. The rain was going to be moving in so we cooked dinner at bit early.  We had steak and potatoes on the grill. The rain started just as we started to eat. Mike and I played one game of cribbage (I won the game) while waiting for the rain to slow up.  We got a small break in the rain so we walked up to Divine Gelato Café where I had peanut butter cup gelato. It started to sprinkle just as we got back to the boat. Mike and I played a second game of cribbage when we got back, Mike won this game. It never got as warm here as was predicted so we are hoping that we do not get the severe weather that they have been predicting. Time for blogging and reading before retiring for the night.

Peanut Butter Cup Gelato. Gelato is ice cream made in the Italian style. Gelato is simply the Italian word for ice cream.

I'm half Italian hence my need to have some gelato while we were here in Racine. 

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #55: Happy Birthday to Leah (our daughter-in-law)! Strong thunderstorms during the early morning hours, I haven't seen that much lightening in a long time. No damage or flooding here in Racine but Port Washington had major flooding. We are definitely in a unsettled weather pattern at this time not sure when we will move to our next destination.  Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, nectarine and Kringle. The cinnamon Kringle was awesome and we have more for tomorrow morning. Mike and I walked along the Lake Michigan shore very warm and humid. We went back to Dover Flag & Map Store as Mike wanted to get a new American flag for the boat. Back to the boat for some paperwork and e-mail. Looking like rain this morning then we are contemplating heading to the pool. Nancy sent a text that there is a new Looper boat in the marina she wondered about docktails at 5:30 P.M., which we thought was a great idea. We got ready for the pool, it was still cloudy but warm. It was much quieter at the pool today. We were at the pool until 4:30 P.M. I was able to finish the book that I was reading planning on sharing it at docktails as it was about a lady who did the Great Loop by herself. At 5:30 P.M, we headed for docktails in the boater's lounge here at the marina. We met Chuck and Margaret from "Francesca" they live in Ohio, IL. We were joined by Nancy, Carey, Sandy, Kevin, Diane, Jerry, Mike and myself. We had great conversation about the Loop. We headed back to the boat preparing the boat for possible storms late this evening. We are more likely to get severe storms on Tuesday afternoon but we are ready just in case.

Happy Birthday Leah!

Anthony (our nephew when he was younger).

Maria (our niece when she was younger). Wait for it....

Anthony and Maria today. Their first day of school Anthony is a sophomore and Maria 8th grader.

Cinnamon Kringle 

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #54: Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and banana bread (our last homemade banana bread from Mom Burdo). Very warm, humid and foggy this morning. We went for a 3.18 mile walk. When we got back it was so warm so we got ready heading to the pool. We met Sandy and Kevin from "Koastal Karma" as they were checking out the pool as they just got to Reef Point Marina today. I received a text from Nancy at 11:24 A.M. they were heading to the grocery store she wanted to know if we wanted to go so we rode with them to the Piggly Wiggly. When we got back to the marina Mike and I headed back to the pool. We ran into "Koastal Karma" at the pool and Sandy asked if we would be interested in docktails at 5:30 P.M. as another Looper boat "Babe" would be at Reef Point as well. I texted Nancy and Carey as well to join us as well. Mike and I stayed at the pool until 4:15 P.M. At 5:30 P.M. we met Kevin, Sandy, Diane, Jerry, Nancy and Carey for docktails and snacks. Nancy and Carey shared their wealth of knowledge about their Looping experience.  We had a great time sharing information about experiences and getting to know each other. Thunderstorms went to the North of Racine we saw lightning and heard thunder. After docktails Mike and I headed back to the boat we face timed with Mom and Dad Burdo. Mike called Mark, Mom/Dad Boynton and Mark as it is Sunday.

We have been told that we need to try a Kringle from Racine, WI. Tomorrow we are going to try a cinnamon Kringle.

Our new friends and Harbor Hosts here in Racine Nancy and Carey from "Tug LeeLoo".

Docktails tonight with friends:  Kevin, Nancy, Carey, Mike Patty, Jerry, Diane and Sandy.

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #53: Very windy overnight.  Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, peach and donuts/cinnamon roll. We walked to the post office followed by a 2.79 miles walk along the Lake Michigan shore. It is cloudy, warm and humid. We are waiting for the sun to come out so that we can drop the dinghy to explore the Root River as we have heard that it is a great dinghy ride. We launched the dinghy at 11:50 A.M. heading up the river. We went from marinas to vacant buildings to parks along the river. As we got towards the parks there were turtles, ducks and  blue herons along the way. As we headed back towards Reef Point Marina we contemplated sticking our noses out on Lake Michigan but the waves were still crashing on the break wall and sailboats heading out were bouncing uncontrollably so we stayed in the marina. Overall, for the day we went 7 3/4 miles. After pulling up the dinghy we headed for the flying bridge for happy hour. Suzanne and Ed went by in their dinghy so Mike asked them to join us for a drink. They came to join us for happy hour. After Suzanne and Ed left Mike and I sat for bit up on the flying bridge as it was cool. Time for blogging and guitar playing.

Splash Pad dedicated to Laurel Blair Saltan Clark.

Clark considered Racine, Wisconsin to be her hometown.

Clark died February 1, 2003 in the Columbia shuttle disaster.

Main Street Bascule Bridge

Tug "Capt. Kollin" with barge has been working this week.

UP-Root River Swing Bridge

Blue Heron

Numerous turtles today in the Root River.

                                                               Racine Harbor Lighthouse

Kingfisher

USCG Helicopter

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #52: Up at 6:40 A.M. for coffee, peach and donuts that we bought from the Marketplace Bakery (YUM!). Cloudy, breeze but warm outside. We are suppose to get rain/thunderstorms today and tonight and it is going to get sticky as the humidity levels are going to increase. We talked to the marina here going to have mail sent here before we get into the rivers. Starting to look ahead for a day to move to Waukegan one step closer to Chicago. We are headed into an unsettled weather pattern so we may have to extend our stay here in Racine.  Mike and I went to the Racine Heritage Museum which had a mummy and displayed the history of Racine. Very windy and rain started. Mike read his book and started planning for our first day in the rivers once we lock in at Chicago. I watched my Netflix DVD. Mid-afternoon it was blustery and raining so Mike and I played two games of cribbage with happy hour (I won both games-one was a skunk). Mike and I looked over the charts for our first day in the rivers. I watch part of the Chicago Safety Video as I'm studying up on the different locks and tying to them. It remains cloudy, rainy and cool. Leftovers for dinner. We went for a 2.3 miles walk around the marina. The wind is whipping with more rain in the forecast. Time for blogging and reading.

At 8 A.M. this morning we had strong winds that were breaking over the sea wall.

Racine Breakwater Lighthouse

Throughout the marina there is this symbol.

On our way into the marina we had not noticed this beautiful area that looks out onto Lake Michigan, river and marina.

Suzanne mentioned that this area is very popular for wedding pictures to be taken.

Beautiful.

The pavilion looks over the Reef Point Marina.

Racine Heritage Museum

The museum has a mummy.

Fresnel Lens

Cool boat shape with seats to take a rest.

One of the displays was on Mrs. Todd Lincoln visiting Racine.

Display of Mrs. Todd Lincoln's clothing.

8:00 P.M. this evening the winds have not stopped blowing. 30 mile an hour gusts.

Memorial of Racine's Underground Railroad Maritime Link.

Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI

Day #51: Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, banana bread and peach. Sunny and 57 degrees. Mike and I went to the Main Street Bakery. This is a new bakery on main street in Racine we have heard great things so we decided that we needed to try it out. Mike and I got donuts for tomorrows breakfast. Mike and I got ready walking 2 miles to the Racine Zoo. We got to the zoo at 9:30 A.M. we had a great time. The zoo was established in 1923. Currently, the Racine Zoo cares for approximately 100 different species of animals from Wisconsin and around the world. At 11:00 A.M. we decided to have lunch at the Jungle Grill at the Zoo we had hamburgers and fries. After the zoo we headed back toward the marina we went to a little convenience store for beverages. We headed back to the boat. At 1:30 P.M. we headed to the pool. After the pool about 3:30 P.M. we headed back to the boat for happy hour. Ed and Suzanne stopped by wanting to know if we would want to go for a ride on their boat. We left Reef Point Marina heading south. Ed took us to Kenosha for a tour around the waterfront. We headed back to Racine. We had a great time with Ed and Suzanne it feels like we have been friends forever. Mike and I headed back to the boat for cold sandwiches for dinner. Mike talked to Mark for a bit as he has bought a Shop Smith a modular woodworking shop tool. Time for blogging and reading.

                                                                                        

                             New bakery in Racine so Mike and I decided that we needed to try it out.

                                                                                   

                                                    So excited to see what is in the zoo.

           

                                                                White-headed Gibbon                                                                

Black-handed Spider Monkey

Artic Fox

Orangutan

Female African Lion

Male African Lion (just "lion" around).

The Tiger

 

African Penguin

Meerkat

Eastern Black Rhinoceros

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra 

Great Horned Owl

Masai Giraffe

              

Andean Bear

 
West Caucasian Tur   

Norco Aviary

                                                                                     

                                                                              Emu

               

Red Kangaroo

          

Alpaca

Llama

African Spurred Tortoise

Close place in Racine to buy beer.

Old Kenosha Lighthouse

Racine Dragon Rowing Club. Lots of people on this boat.