Sept 10 -Weathering out the storm

We had a very uneventful night in Manistee. Made dinner and ate it on the lido deck with an audience. We are docked at the Manistee Municipal Marina and it is a very lovely place. They are set up with traditional docks in one area and then they have this 1000 foot wall that they also tie up boats to. This 1000 foot wall is also a walking / jogging trail along the river so there is lots of foot traffic here. So as we sat out on the deck, people where walking past constantly. This Marina is also located on a river so quite narrow and people here love to fish, so on our Port side (that's the left side) we also had a whole slew of boats driving by and waving. Some lady stopped by as I was prepping our dinner and asked me how we liked it. I replied, I have never had to make dinner while on display before! So today we had a very leisurely start to the day. We did not get up until 8am (don't judge us; we're on holidays). We did a few chores. It was raining lightly, so Jim went out with a bucket of soapy water and washed down the decks. We emptied the head (that's the toilet) and then went out to go find a new provider for our phone. Jim had sent an e-mail to our current provider saying either you fix this issue or issue a refund. Our issue was that we could not call Canada. From our perspective that is a pretty big issue. Anyway we got an e-mail back that they had given us a refund soooooo we no longer have a phone at all. Please don't try calling cause it will not go through. We found a Verizon dealer about 3 miles away and when we got there, we were advised that our phone would not work on their networks. So no go with them either. We then tried to order a sim card from our previous provider and they are sold out. Oh the Drama! So for the time being, we do not have a phone. The trip was not a total loss though, because we got to met Jim and Rhonda. They are a couple who we met at a marine supply store. They own a sailboat and spend their winters in Florida. Because we were walking and were so far from our boat...in the rain... they offered to drive us back to the boat. Actually they offered to drive us anywhere we wanted. Did we need groceries? Marine supply stuff?Need to go to a laundry mat? they were happy to be our drivers for the afternoon. We invited them in and had a drink and just chatted. After a bit, they advised us that they spend the winter in Marathon FL and the rates where reasonable. We hit it off so well that Jim even dropped his pants for me lol. Actually during our conversation Jim explained that he had a small Nevi removed from his left but cheek. In the US they have to pay for every office visit, so I offered to remove the stitches for him and save him another trip to the doctor's office.  Sorry not that kind of party! After Jim and Rhonda left; my Jim and I went for a walk into town. We came across a store front that was covered in Century paraphernalia. We took a couple of pictures of these just for you Ross.  We then came across a little shop called the River Street Stockyard. They have smoked meats; locally made jams and preserves and of course booze. This is where I found our very first specimen for the RUM tasting party Alex Simon and I are having when we return.  I have attached a picture for you Simon and Alex. It promises to be very tasty and I will not pop the cork until we are all together. Unless one of you decides to come visit us, at which point all bets are off!

   So after our walk we settled into a cozy night. It's getting quite cold and windy here. But some more new acquaintances popped by. Skip and Karen are from Anchorage Alaska. They have already done the loop and are now on their way to Florence Alabama. They came in for a visit and just left moments ago. They have invited us out for dinner with them tomorrow night if we are still in Manistee. At this point we are unsure as the weather reports are still not great. We may leave in the morning and make out way to Ludington or then again maybe not. We will keep you posted. Night all.