Munising--Fourth of July

When we arrived in Munising,  the 50+ footers were already there and dock space was TIGHT.  Somehow Tom parallel parked Raydiance in a space with no more than a foot to spare fore and aft.  The captains and crew of the adjoining boats heartily congratulated him on a superb landing.

Jimmy and Macy's 52' Grand Banks
was one of the 50+ footers on the wall with us.
This picture was taken as they passed
Pictured Rocks.

They did  the loop in 2011 in a Tiara named Outta Here.

A tight fit on the wall

Small towns really know how to celebrate the Fourth of July.  In Munising that meant starting with a hometown parade.  I've included a few pictures of things we would normally not see in a parade.

Coast Guard boat
Jimmy and Macy on far right.

Local camp Superheroes float

Munising Municipal Band
Memories of Dad and Platteville City Band

Munising HS band

Pictured Rocks float

Smokey
This one's for Lisa and Jim

Following the parade, the lakeside adjacent to the marina became the center for food, games and music.  We enjoyed all of it, but especially the chicken poop bingo.

View from the boat.

After all the numbers are purchased, a chick is set on the
numbered board.  Whatever square s/he chooses to poop on
is the winner.  In case of a "line-poop", winnings are split.

First order of business was to buy a number.
I happened to get lucky 6 and was sure this was an omen.
Not to be.

 What else for lunch but a whitefish sandwich--the local favorite.

Another interesting contest was the greased pole.  The idea was to grab the red flag at the end of the pole before falling into the freezing cold water.  No adults were attempting this.  I wonder why?

This young man with the
stretch and slide technique
ended up in the brink.

This young lady succeeded
with the scooch and lift
method.  She was awarded $5.

That evening the Legion put on the most amazing fireworks display over the harbor.  I would have enjoyed it more had our boat not been less than a 100 yards from the detonation spot on the breakwater.  We had the option of going out into the bay for the duration, but that meant coming into those tight quarters at dark.  Tom kept reassuring me that the wind was from the south blowing away from the boat, and Raydiance came through without an ash.  

Friday morning Tom left early to dive two wrecks with a local dive shop.  He arrived back at the boat around noon.  One of the dives was a schooner that had sunk after being rammed in the fog.   The other was a tug that had been intentionally sunk for a dive site.  They were in forty degree water.  Tom enjoyed it.  I enjoyed my late morning of leisure.

Small dive boat, big cold lake!