Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Thing One
Rarely have I been more impressed with anything in life than I have been recently with what is popularly known amongst elitist circles as the YMCA. During my time across this vast nation, I have had the opportunity to make more use out of this tremendous organization than most people probably ever imagine. There is a wonderful part of their membership agreement which allows a person to frequent other Y's across the country for no extra charge. So, here I am, the poor son of a kindly set of parents who purchased a family membership to their local Y. Now, I simply show my card at Y's all over these fifty nifty United States and swim in their pools to my heart's content -- for no extra charge to anyone. BRILLIANT.

Thing Two
I spent a few hours aboard an actual WWII submarine yesterday, docked at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI. The COBIA was built in Connecticut, used on several tours of duty during the Second World War and then, in the 1970s, moved to Manitowoc where it is now part of the museum's tour. For twelve dollars, visitors can explore the three levels of the museum, which leaves much to be desired. For that much cash, a person wants to do more than look at model ships, but, alas, I realized that in fact people most likely DO want to see them as that's the purpose of the museum.

Anyway, the sub was great fun. The eighty men on board would spend up to sixty or ninety days at a time on board, in quarters closer than those in Crackalandia, Sao Paolo. The loo has a seven-step flush system which, if not executed correctly, will result in heaps of fun for everyone. The Captain permitted the men to smoke because it kept them calm. Hrmph. And, if that all sounds fun, the Museum offers "Family Night on the Sub" for only thirty-seven bucks: spend a night on board, just like the crew did. Woo hoo. Sign me up.

Last Thing
So far, no coppers have pulled me over for a banana related incident on my first return visit to WI since the original incident.