Our only night spent in port was in Green Bay. I'm sure there was a good reason for it, but I don't know what it is. I don't know if some of the passengers took the opportunity for a night on the town, but we were happy just to sleep without moving. We loved our first-floor amidships stateroom, but there was no place to escape vibration when the engines were active, and being right down on the water, we did hear wave noise even in the calm waters we enjoyed.
Between Green Bay and Muskegon we had out last day "at sea." One attraction was the prize for the cruise-long trivia contests. Surprise: Jim and I won! (Our team was called "The Whatevers"). The prize: a dandy travel chess set with bar tools. It's very nice, but we don't play chess or drink! Since I didn't have the wits to turn it back in, it will grace some White Elephant exchange this Christmas.
I mentioned earlier that Green Bay (the body of water) seemed to be a sportsman's paradise now that pollution has lessened. These fisherfolk were enjoying their day.
We heard that pelicans had only recently returned to Green Bay. The Fox river, where the city is located, and the bay itself had once been so toxic and full of invasive predators that there were no fish to eat. On this trip we saw hundreds of pelicans.
The band was a daily attraction. There was an afternoon jazz cocktail hour and evening dances with a variety of music. From left are James on keyboards, Ian on guitar, and Zack on drums. Ian (RiverLorian) and Zack (Cruise Director), had "day jobs" on board, but James was dedicated to the band ... although he also pitched in and helped here and there when needed. Both Ian and James played multiple instruments. Maybe Zack too.
The band was formed especially for this cruise season, but they might have been playing together for years, they were that compatible.
At Muskegon, I had signed up for an all-day excursion to Grand Rapids. Out first stop was the fully restored Meyer May house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I was worried that this expedition would be canceled like the one in Chicago, but it wasn't -- even though only four folks signed up.
On our hour-long trip to Grand Rapids we watched a video (opens in new tab) about the restoration of the house. I recommend it.
Tour the house with me.
After our exploration of the May house, we walked a block to the Wright-inspired house designed for Mrs. May's parents. This house has been restored by its current occupant, who has done his best to return it to the original vision while living in it and keeping it livable in the modern age.
Visit this house with me.
With our heads full of beautiful architecture we then drove to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Here we had lunch and took a tram through the gardens. There wasn't enough time for much individual exploration, but ride along for some of the sculptures that appealed to me.
This is Eve by Auguste Rodin. The piece was designed for a museum that was never built. During its production he observed that his model was pregnant, so also is his Eve in the early stages of pregnancy. There are several casts in various museums.
After we returned from the Grand Rapids excursion, there was still time for a quick jaunt around Muskegon on the last Hop-On-Hop-Off trolley. It's a far cry from Frank Lloyd Wright.
This 1897 building was constructed as the Muskegon vocational high school and later used as the administration building for the city's public schools. It became too large for the school district staff, which moved to more appropriate space.
As of 2024, there were plans afoot to turn the building into a boutique hotel opening in the spring of 2026.
Join me to see more of Muskegon.
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