Saturday, July 27, 2013

A cool and cloudy Wisconsin day, but a perfect day to spend wandering around Manitowoc together.   We watched the Badger Ferry come in to dock, and we went up and down the main drag – there is a courthouse with a beautiful dome and across the street, a place called the Courthouse Pub.  We went inside and determined it was the best possible place to come back for dinner.  We visited the Beerntsen’s candy store, and stopped in several coffee shops, art spots, and a store that specialized in wine and beer making supplies and equipment.  There was a great farmers market where we got some fresh fruits and vegetables – most of the farmers were Hmong families from this area.  And finally we spent the afternoon at the Manitowoc Maritime Museum.  The museum is very well done, with interesting exhibits and even an exhibit about the Great Loop.

 The feature was a tour of the WWII submarine Cobia.  You had to be a very special kind of sailor to volunteer for submarine duty – and preferably not a very large sailor.  They spent 2-3 months on each war patrol at sea, never seeing daylight and living in a 95 degree environment with 79 other guys and only enough bunks for half the crew to sleep at any one time.  We learned that they did get more and better food than most military outfits so maybe that was the attraction that got men to volunteer.

 

Beernstens Candy

Beernstens Dining

Tonite we went back to the Courthouse Pub for an exceptionally fine dinner and excellent service.  We highly recommend the establishment to anyone passing through Manitowoc.  Estimating that we walked 5 or 6 miles today it makes up for the days spent on the boat riding along.