Washington Island



Washington Island is about six miles off the tip of the Door Peninsula.  Your journey to the island begins with a scenic ferry ride from Gills Rock.  The Washington Island roads will take you to small shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, parks, beaches, and farms.



 

The dock where your exploration of the island begins

 




Another lighthouse along the way

 

Many of the early settlers were from the Scandinavian countries.  They were fishermen, farmers, and loggers.  Today the island is an escape from the stresses of urban life.



If you like horses you will enjoy learning about Norse Horse Park(NHP).  NHP is a one of a kind in the nation that has created a living park of native horses of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark.  They are of unique color and physical presence.  You can read more  about them on the web site:  http://norsehorsepark.com/nhp.culture.html




A rare breed of Fjord from Norway



A Finn breed from Finland



The type of shelters that was used by the nomads of Nordic history . . . looks familiar doesn't it?  However it was used far before the Plains Indians of North America.




A collection of ducks from Sweden, Norway and Finland 



Jerry Maiers is a retired college professor and five years ago bought this property and started his "dream."  Norse Horse Park represents that dream.  He and his wife Mary also are creating a special vegetable garden all created from natural organic seeds.  They will be adding more breeds of horses to their current group, goats from the Scandinavian countries and improving on their creation of organic seeds on the island. 


                      The Sievers School of Fiber Arts

A "Nancy" stop to visit the Sievers School that has week-long and weekend classes - like John C. Campbell in NC.  Bill slept in the car.

                          

Every road or pathway  on Washington Island will eventually lead to water.

Door County

Sturgeon Bay is the doorway to Door County.  Our first stop was the Maritime Museum located on a working waterfront with a focus on the history of shipbuilding.  After the tour we boarded a red Chicago fireboat built in 1937.  We enjoyed a 1 &1/2 hour tour of Sturgeon Bay. 

The Fireboat

Bill is aboard



An island filled with white pelicans



Another way to tour the area...

Door County...if you've been to places like Bar Harbor, the Outerbanks, New Hope, etc....you've been to Door County.  It has scenic roads and waterfronts, cute shops filled with more things to clutter your home, wineries, cherry shops, cafes, antique shops, galleries, fudge, etc.  Martha Stewart would like it here.

Something we have never seen before....



Goats enjoying the grass on the roof of a Scandinavian restaurant - brings in customers!



Ephraim - a waterfront community that shares something with Nancy's hometown of Bethlehem, PA - an early Moravian community

Ephraim has an annual Fyr Bal Celebration - pronounced Fear Ball.  It celebrates the summer solstice.

At night bonfires are lit along the waterfront

Traffic Stop on the Way to Sturgeon Bay

We traveled to Sturgeon Bay on a picturesque road along Lake Superior.  The sun was shining and the warmth of the day had us smiling.  Looking ahead we saw that traffic had come to a stop.  I jumped out of the car to take some pictures.  The geese were stretched across the road - taking their time heading for a pond.  Could this be a book?  Make Way For Goslings.

Visiting Lambeau Field

The only place Bill wanted to see in Green Bay was Lambeau Field.  We expected a vacant parking lot BUT it was filled with cars.  The event - the Green Bay Packers' players were getting their Super Bowl rings at a special ceremony.

This is my first time being here in the Land of the Packers, Green Bay Wisconsin.
Congratulations and welcome to Lambeau Field
Any chance I can get into the stadium and see some of the players accepting their NFL Championship Rings?
No way!
Well thanks anyway and no hard feelings . ..  BTW anyone ever tell you that you resemble Bart Starr?
No and I still can't let you in,
Thanks anyway and no hard feelings.
And none taken.

                

Is this how they indicate a touchdown.

Yes, you've got it right.

Are you sure I can't come into the stadium?

Yes!

Are you sure my husband can't come into the stadium?

Yes, I'm sure.

I see you have a TV Media pass . . . could I come into the stadium with you . .. sort of like an assistant or something . . .?
No, can't risk it . . . I could lose my media pass. 

Famous statue of Bart Starr

Goodbye Green Bay Packers . . . bet you won't repeat your NFL Championship next year. 

It was a rainy and cloudy day as we went up the Lake Superior coastline from Duluth to visit one of America's most famous lighthouses.

 The temperature was down into the 40's because of a Nor'eastern that was coming in off of the lake.  Split Rock Lighthouse was built over a 100 years ago.

We had lunch at Betty's Pies, a local institution and we find it hard to pass up institutions.  The Bumbleberry pie was a special treat.

Some of the roads we travelled on were quite muddy.  

Haven't put our Odyssey through a car wash yet but we are keeping our spirits high with a smile.

Delightful Day in Duluth

A beautiful day in Duluth - it was SUNNY!

We spent the morning on the waterfront in Canal Park -
view of the city

A rocky beach - great walkways along the shoreline

One of the lighthouses at the entrance to the canal

The Aerial Lift Bridge

We were lucky to see a cargo ship go through the canal and see the Aerial Lift Bridge in action.

            In the afternoon we took a scenic railroad trip along Lake   Superior.



Ate at the famous GRANDMA'S on the waterfront; Grandma wasn't there.  


We ended the day with a drive along the scenic parkway overlooking the city.



Pathways for walks

Creeks, falls, and swimming holes

Wildflowers and rocks

A rock tower in a park

View of the city from a stop

A park off the scenic parkway - quiet ending to
a delightful day in Duluth