Woke up a 3.30am and struggled to get back to sleep which didn't bode well for a day which involved an early start. At that point I suddenly thought I'd better check time zones for our journey today. Realised we were changing to eastern time but that it was after the important point. Ann's alarm went off at 6am and she went and showered whilst I tried to sleep for another half an hour. That was going well until her alarm went off again as she had hit snooze despite getting up.
Eventually gave up all hope of anymore sleep and got up. Went down to breakfast in the lift with a woman who was carrying a tray. She went to the buffet and filled it up with as much stuff as she could fit on and then went back to the lift. Watched on in astonishment. Somehow she also seemed to be in the way of the whole breakfast buffet at the same time so you couldn't get to anything.
Eventually managed to get something to eat and we were packed and ready to go by 8am. Hit the I90 and entered back into Wisconsin. Covered about a hour and a half before a quick rest break stop. Carried on a saw an important sign.
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| The most important sign ever |
Ann sent a shout out to All Request Friday on Radio 2 but we didn't get a shout out, well not before we stopped listening anyway.
Eventually joined the I94 and headed all the way into Milwaukee and made it to the port. Pulled into the entry lane of the Lake Express High Speed Ferry. We were an hour and ten minutes early for our sailing but already there were people ahead of us. A woman checked under the car with a mirror and then asked us if we were carrying any firearms or explosives. I said no. She didn't check in the car which seemed to render the checking under the car pointless. Told Ann it was like the Torpoint Ferry but more sinister.
Another woman took our passports and eventually we got them back with our tickets and we were allowed to move to the waiting zone. Got out the car to go and use the facilities. Eventually got the call to get ready to board but unlike the last time we used this ferry in 2010, only the driver was allowed in the car. Ann had to board as a foot passenger.
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| We're going to need a bigger boat |
I went back to the car and got it ready to go. Had a practice to make sure I could put on the parking brake as I thought it might be useful. I couldn't get into the boot due to the proximity of the car behind so had to put the back seats down to get stuff. Got back in the drivers seat and then made a sandwich to take on board. Didn't have a knife so had to use a fork. Realised I needed to get the sandwich bags from the boot but by now the cars exiting from the previous ferry journey were going past so I couldn't open the door to get out. Clambered back out of the drivers seat into the back and lent into the boot and then tried to get back into the front. Finished making the sandwich and then it was time to board. Man guided me on right to the front of the ferry which was no mean feat with the size of the car. Scrambled about a bit more to pack a bag to take up to the deck and then went looking for Ann. Found her sat in some seats.
Eventually we departed and I managed to do all the research for a Masters Degree in human behaviour from my seat during the two and a half hour crossing. From watching the food ordering and collection process to watching people aimlessly wander past a lot of signs saying they were going down a dead end corridor to a guy trying to go into the staff only kitchen area instead of the toilet, I felt I had enough research for my thesis that people are a: weird and b: stupid.
Eventually the ferry made it across Lake Michigan and we were sent back to the car deck, this time with passengers allowed.
We got off the ferry first and hit the road into Michigan for the last hour or so of the journey. Also we had lost an hour as we were now back to Eastern time.
Eventually we arrived in Grand Rapids at my cousin Craig and Tara's house. We last visited them back in 2010, the last time we used the lake ferry!
Had Jet's pizza for tea. The third time in our lives we have had it. Still as good as the first two times, although this time I definitely couldn't eat as much.
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| The best pizza |
Craig and Tara then took us out to Ada township nearby which has had a lot of recent development. It is also the home of Amway, a very large company that has been investigated as an alleged pyramid scheme. Amazingly Amway have also paid for the redevelopment.
We had a wander about and saw the sights, then ended up here.
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| Good tag line |
Had coffee with chocolate chip. Ann had something.
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| Nice |
Sat out in the very warm evening trying to eat it before it melted. Took a walk to a covered bridge. It was a bridge.
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| Do you know were Jeff Bridge is? |
Headed back to the car and home. Saw a chipmunk in the garage. Had a chat with Kyle and his girlfriend. Found out Kyle doesn't wash his hair. Watched Roxie the dog be sick. A very eventful evening.
Now Ann is asleep as usual.
States visited - 11
