DoorCounty2006
By Gary Gilbert
Monday, October 02, 2006
We spent a weekend in Door County Wisconsin. Door County is about 230 miles from home, 30 miles north-west of Green Bay Wisconsin, a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
We stayed about 7 miles west of Sturgeon Bay, the largest city in Door County, at Sand Bay. The weather Saturday was in upper 60s and a mostly overcast day interspersed with blue skys. We had occasional rain and the sky was constantly changing but had expected 50 degrees and rain all day long, so were pleasantly surprised.
The view from our room was of the bay.
With summer ending, the pier was in the process of being dismantled. This was the view on Saturday morning and by Sunday morning was gone, put away for the winter.
Sand Bay is a small resort, with about 20 rooms and a very nice beach.
By Sunday, the skys were quite clear of clouds.
On our way out, I spied this guy spining his web. Pretty ugly monster!!!
Saturday morning we headed north, stopping in Sturgeon Bay at a farmers market. We bought two varieties of apples (macoun and ), taffy apples, and cider. Unfortunately they didn't have any apple doughnuts. This time of year in the midwest is definately apply season. We headed towards Jacksonport. We found this spot on Lake Michigan. The clouds had cleared up and it started turning into a very nice day.
The taffy apples were calling us and we were unable to resist,
Our private view of Lake Michigan soon disappeared. Two guys showed up to go kayaking. We talked with them while they got ready. It looks like a fun sport.
They were heading out to a shoal about a mile out. They made good progress gliding across the lake.
Near Bailys Harbor we came across Cana Point.
Cana Point is connected to Cana Island via a natural bridge of stones.
The sun shining on the lake was wonderful.
The wildflowers were still in bloom.
Sometimes I have to give up the camera and let someone else have a turn!
As were the planted flowers.
The highlight of the island is the Cana Island Lighthouse. There are quite a few lighthouses in Door County.
After lunch in Sister Bay we headed south towards Ephriam. It was getting later in the day and we stopped in Peninsula State park for a walk in the woods and to stop at another light house, this one in the park. We were a little early in the season, but some of the trees have started to change colors. The trees in Chicago area are ahead of the ones up north. As you can see, some reds and yellow leaves are starting to be seen.
A storm was brewing over Green Bay and heading inland. We only had time for about a 30 minute walk before the skys opened up.
I jumped out of the car for a quick photo of the woods in Peninsula State Park before getting drenched.
As we headed to Fish Creek, the storm ended andthe skys were beautiful.
We had dinner at a traditional Door County fish boil. The kettles are boiling water over a wood fire. There are red potatoes, onions, and whitefish in a cage set in the boiling water.
After the appropriate amount of time, they pour kerosene on the fire which causes the water to boil violently and boil over. Boiling over results in the fat from the fish to run out of the kettle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_boil
Dinner is served on plastic plates, with cole slaw, fresh bread, and then topped off with Cherry Pie for desert.
Sunday we spent part of the day near Sturgeon Bay. First we stopped at Sherwood Point where there was yet another lighthouse. After taking this picture, I realized that this lighthouse was posted as off limits. Sunday was clear and sunny all day
We headed to Potawatomi State Park for a hike. First we stopped to look at the Green Bay. The water was very clear and then we managed to walk about 7 miles.
The woods were very quiet. We did see about 5 deer cross the path ahead of us. Some parts of the path were lined with birch trees, other maples and hardwoods are also present. The trail we followed was at the Eastern Terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. http://www.nps.gov/iatr/ This 1200 mile trail is entirely within the state of Wisconsin and follows the glacier that came to this area 15,000 years ago.
After a great hike, we stopped for lunch back in Sturgeon Bay, walked around the town, including a stop in the local bicycle shop, and then headed home. It was a great weekend.
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