Celebrating July 2023 With a Bang

The Nestegg docks were busy for the fourth of July holiday. The weather has been perfect! We've been filling every moment of each day with the things that bring us joy. Dan and Nena Mooney, aboard Shoo Fly, have sea kayaks. They joined us as we launched our Old Towne Loons and took a leisurely paddle around Stephenson Island. We led them to the deserted Mystery Island Marina across the Menomonee River. It's a ghost dock that looks like a tornado passed through. It would be a good option for docking on the Menomonee River if the owners would put a little work into the place. 

Nestegg Dinghy Tree 

Going under the interstate bridge

Dan floating under the bridge

Dan and Nena

Dave dug out our dinghy and inflated it. He wanted to take it out and test our e-propulsion electric motor. Dan and Nina joined us in their dinghy with a gas powered motor that was new to them. We followed the same course that we kayaked, but cut things a bit close on the back side of the island and hit some rocks just below the surface. We got lucky; our prop incurred only a few small scratches from the contact. We know to avoid the shoreline of the island in the future.

My birthday was on July 3rd. We planned to have a cookout with our neighbors at the marina. We grilled corn, bratwurst and chicken breast. I made baked beans on the boat to round out our meal. We bought a carrot cake for dessert. We started a campfire and sat up chatting until midnight. It was a lovely birthday.

The fourth of July fireworks were held in Menomonee. They were set off on the breakwater between the Menomonee Marina and Green Bay. We knew it would be a madhouse if we tried to drive, so we walked over the interstate bridge with the Mooneys and our camp chairs, selecting a nice spot near the amphitheater to view the show. 

As we waited, I noticed a older couple who seemed to be in distress. At first the gentleman was sitting in the chair while his wife sat in front of him, leaning back against his knees. The next time I glanced at them, the man was on the ground and the wife was in the chair. It seemed like she was trying to encourage him up. I pointed out the situation to Dave and Dan and they went over to offer assistance. He was a big guy so they had to work at getting him up on his feet. He told them that the chair tipped backwards dumping him on the ground. Dan said that he had a chair that was quite stable and insisted that the man use it. After a bit of resistance he agreed. Dan sat on the ground during the fireworks. When the show was over, Dan and Dave helped the man back to his feet. This was a beautiful thing to watch unfold; people helping people.

The fireworks were great. They began with a series of very loud explosions at ground level, no burst of light in the sky. Fireworks that sounded like missiles filled the air with brilliant light every few minutes. I couldn't help thinking that it sounded like we were in a war. At the end of the show, an American Flag firework formation lit up the breakwater. It was very moving.

Fireworks over Menomonee 

Boat masts lit up by the light

The Marinette Logging and Heritage festival was held the weekend after the 4th of July holiday. It is a small town celebration that brought about 5,000 folks into town. Fireworks were ignited off barges on the Menomonee River. We had a bird's eye view of them from Mystic's cockpit. It seemed like they were exploding directly above us. It was one the best displays we'd ever seen.

Our daughter, Brie, joined us for the weekend of the Logging and Heritage Festival. We tried to fit a lot in, taking her to the Menominee Lighthouse, Red Arrow Park and III Bridges Brewery. We also went out for a sail. It was her first time sleeping aboard Mystic. She lives in an efficiency apartment in Madison. She said it seems luxuriously expansive compared to our boat!

Sailing Green Bay

Rainbow after the storm

Walking along the Menomonee River

Red Arrow Park Garden in the sand

With Brie Menomonee Light

Menomonee Light

Dave and I got married on July 4th, 1987. We started our union with a bang. Fireworks have always been a part of our celebrations. This year we celebrated well, with family and friends on the water!

Menomonee River Sunset