6/11/23 - Ludington Day 3 - rainy project day

As forecasted we awoke to a cold rain that persisted through pretty much the entire day until around 7pm.  No worries….we had some interior boat projects we wanted to accomplish.   Yesterday we had purchased four new battery boxes that was going to be quite a little project to get installed/batteries in them.   Two of the four batteries are were very strait forward but the remaining two, our house bank, are tucked back in behind the port engine and firewall in a tight spot to work.  Also, the batteries are group 27 that weigh a considerable amount.   When trying to pull them up out of the old wood boxes, while hunched over uncomfortably, my estimate would be that they weighed 700 lbs each…lol.   They really only weigh 70 lbs each.   In addition, they have a somewhat tricky and very heavy gauge cables connecting them in parallel and also to the inverter system.  While they were out we also used the opportunity to adjust/tighten the fittings on the shafts stuffing box that had been dripping too much.   These projects took us the entire morning.   As Erik was completing the connections and installing the lids Renee got busy in the galley making blueberry pancakes and maple sausage links for brunch.  

Before
Erik is sure AGM stand for 
Awkward Grossly Massive!

And after

Eriks back and neck was thoroughly sore and tired so after lunch called for ibuprofen and a nice Sunday afternoon nap.  The rain slowed to a drizzle allowing us to comfortably grill the chicken/steak/vege kabobs that had been marinating since early morning (yes….we like our kabobs!).  Backs and necks still a little sore and bones a bit chilly we headed up to the hot tub for an after dinner soak.   

Hot tub felt WONDERFUL on a chilly and rainy 50 degree day

Right on schedule at 6:59pm the SS Badger came lumbering into port.   The view of it using it’s anchor to make the right turn and back into its spot was perfect from the flybridge.  

SS Badger returning to port 

We had located an AA meeting that was at 8pm only .4 miles from the marina.   We set out on foot which was a welcome change of pace for the day to get our legs moving.   It was a small (8 people) but good discussion meeting with the topic of how to stay in today and not project into the future too much.   We think we have the best answer to that….

We will keep on trudging the road OF (not to) happy destiny!

We always try to stop and read as many historical marker signs as we can
This one was on the church where the AA meeting was held
Built in 1873 by the Swedes, Danes and Norwegians