Irresistible lure of the big water on this hot and blast-furnacy day. (Nurtured by the idea that the holiday crowds would be thinning.)

So over to Racine to step into Lake Michigan. Perhaps not the best idea, however, as we arrived at North Beach shortly after the big Racine parade finished up. Crowds everywhere, and with the offshore wind the beach was hot and shadeless. After a visit to Wind Point (and the lighthouse) we wended our way home, on scenic back roads. Forty-four point six miles per gallon averaged on the trip—the Rav4 seems to like warm weather.