Some days are certainly filled with the unexpected!

 

I woke up early (7:30) and ran upstairs to the open deck to catch the launching of the weekly weather balloon. Because one of the Ship’s research partners is NOAA ,both expedition ships in the Viking fleet are continually doing research. I managed to just make perfect timing for this morning’s launch. Leave it to Viking to provide an excellent experience… hot coffee with additives and musical entertainment to help this balloon have the best journey of its life! Anyway, after a rousing passenger chorus of “Sweet Caroline” the chief scientist and assistant s gave the countdown the balloon was sent on its way to record data for NOAA.  

 It was really fun to see it go up,up away!

After breakfast, it was time to gather our QV ( portable microphone: quiet box allowing the guide to speak normal volume and all us oldies can hear)and head to the A deck to catch our tender. Because of the coastline, this is another tender port that means getting into the tender boats and traveling to the shore. 

Inside  where the pilot controls the tender.

Arrival was at a beautiful riverside walk where we were greeted  by local tourism volunteers who wanted to make sure we enjoy the city that they are so proud of: Alpena, MI. Ive noticed on all of our travels the joy and pride small ports extend to us. The local tourism board is always so helpful and happy to share their towns with us. It reminds me that we should all have such joy and pride in our home communities.

As we started along the 2 mile river walk I moved my head to look at the river and felt a little light headed. When I turned back, i was hit with the most horrible vertigo in my life. I immediately felt like a drunken sailor must feel (certainly a 20 something college student after a night on the town) and mentioned to Al that I wasn’t feeling very steady.

My last photo of the day….as I tried to grabbed his arm, the dizziness became overwhelming and with the aid of one of those wonderful tourists helpers who drove a golf cart we returned to the docking site and I waited for the return to the ship…I wish I could say things got better while sitting, but no such luck..needless to say after what seemed like an eternity (and barfing in local garbage cans) and with lots of help from Albert,I got on the tender and headed back. so with my BB(barf bag) clutched to my side and Al dragging me along a straight line ( just remember that one time you were trying to get your roommate home after celebrating homecoming in the college bar) we got on ship and made it to the medical center.

I can happily say the ship’s doctor and nurse were the kindest healthcare professionals. After assessing me they gave me a very hurtful shot(,warned me ahead of time!) and gave me some meds to take for the next few days. I got a wheelchair ride to my room and a three hour nap! I have a newfound appreciation for those who have suffered Vertigo.

Along with a very competent nurse, Yolanda, Dr Moonsamy fixed me up fine and tonight i almost feel back to normal. No more drunken walking and finally my head seems to have stopped spinning. Tomorrow we are arriving in Detroit and I’ll try once again to walk on land. 

Mackinac Island At Last!

 

Waking up this morning..when the sunrise is so beautiful you just know it’s gonna be a great day!

When we lived for 20 years in Wisconsin, and the 4 years in Grand Rapids Michigan I always planned a trip ( in my head, of course) to visit the famous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Never did I actually manage to pull off that vacation and I figured it would never happen. Today is the day!!!!!

If you look very closely there is a blob of white on the picture’s right cliff.. the Grand Hotel

Main Street is different in that there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island. Hundreds of bicycles but NOT a single car.We were meeting friends we made on our World Cruise in 22/23 who live on the mainland. We were excited to walk around the island and have our own personal guides! 

We still get to see hundreds of flowers in the beds. 

The exception to the rule is a fire truck!

Just a local home!

Fort Mackinac.. a British/American military fort.As always, it depended on who was winning at what time…they got the fort.

Walking up the hill and viewing The Grand Hotel!

Al and I on the wrap around porch. The entire porch overlooks the lake and provides a beautiful rocking chair to sit in. While there, Wes and Lori took us up to the top of the Cupola where we could see for miles! We were able to see our ship anchored in the bay.

One of the lighting fixtures in the Copula. Every bit of the hotel has been kept as it was when it was it opened. The decorating was fantastic.

Inside the great hallway of the hotel

The movie “Somewhere in Time” was filmed here with Chrisopher Reeves and  “This Time For keeps” with Ester Willams ( who asked for the hotel to build a pool for her and then needed it to be heated as she forgot it would be cold in Michigan!)

After leaving Wes and Lori, we joined our tour of the island by horse carriage. These carriages were big enough to hold 12 passengers comfortably and off we went. Our horses were named Larry and Grant and they were very strong!They are Belgian horses are were were told they absolutely want to drag us around!  The horses only work 4 hours a day and are well cared for. They are transferred to the mainland during the winter and live there until time to return to work. The carriage company has approx. 500 horses in their stables on the island during peak tourist season. They also provide horses for taxi services, weddings, and anything that would be done by a car.

The corner grocery store. There are about 500 permanent citizens on the island so they need all the same services as you or I do.

Meeting some locals on their way to town

Another vehicle

A taxi cab

Our horses Larry and Grant

The Arch Rock. This geological feature reminds os of the Apostle islands.

Arch Rock with intrepid travelers

More of the end of summer flowers. Remember I’m from Tucson and I mostly see cactus flowers! It was exciting to see the flowers of my childhood.

This was our carriage around the island

And this was our carriage Off the island!  It was a great day and It was worth the long wait to visit.Wes,Albert,Lori and Linda

Enjoying a nice rock on the porch.

Milwaukee! Sometimes we dock at the Ugliest places and get to see beautiful gems!

 Because docks/ports are working spaces and Viking travels to many areas that are off the popular beaten path, their ships are often found in the not so beautiful spots. That is the first impression I had of the Port of Milwaukee. However today proved once again that there are often gems in the dirt. Today’s included excursion was a bus drive along the lakefront showing the skyline of the city. Although we lived here in the summer of ‘81, we really never explored the city much. Our guide was informative and enjoyable. The lakeside waterfront has lots to offer

The art museum is in itself a work of Art

Today the museum was closed so a visit will be on the list for my next visit! From the number and quality of their collection, it should really be high on our list.Driving along the lake we got to see the old Victorian homes built by the wealthy of the city. 

The Pabst theatre

 Pabst, Schlitz, Miller and Blatz all had an impact on the city.Beer was king!Milwaukee is home to Marquette University. Also the UW Milwaukee. Little known fact: Marquette not only has a brilliant law school but it is also the home for the original manuscript from Tolkien for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

The Captain Pabst mansion the first time I’ve ever visited a museum where you were encouraged to have a drink as you went room to room!

I’ve just included a few pictures for you- the most interesting for us was this giant music box! The disks could be changed to change tunes but it was still hand cranked. 

The music room (so dark I’d most likely fall asleep with any music)

And of course in Wisconsin there is always deer antlers somewhere!

After our visit the next place was completely different- the Harley Davidson museum. I must admit I really thought I’d be bored with this part of the tour, but figured I’d find a spot for a cup of coffee and some cheese curds if it got too bad. Wow! Was I wrong!!!!

A very industrial building, befitting the image of Harley.

The building was filled with a fabulous collection.

Harley Davidson model no. 1

It was interesting to see the progression of the bikes from early to mid century to the current day

US Navy military bike

Comfort for the passenger

The Sunami bike. The story behind this bike is that it was stored in a trailer when the Sunami hit Japan is 2011. This trailer was found 400 miles or so away on a beach beside the trailer partially covered  by sand. The owner was located ( by the serial number) and the bike was donated to the museum. No refurbishing will be done. The bike is slowly disintegrating from the sea salt and various minerals found in the ocean. It is kept as a reminder of the power of nature. 

Pictures of the find

The new models ( I’m too old to ride it….)

Doesn’t Al look great! I have to admit that the visit to Harley Davidson was a great excursion and just reinforced the idea that I should never make a judgment about a tour ahead of time.

The smallest park in Milwaukee! Right near our ship

Leaving the city behind us! Heading to Mackinac Island tomorrow.