Escaping the Heat to Washington Island and Cave Point Park

Whatever is going on, I don't like it.  Temperatures have been in the 90's at the end of September in Wisconsin.  This is usually the time of year for crisp sunny days, when there is something in the air that reminds us of apples, pumpkins and beautiful trees.  Not this year.  I haven't counted, but we have had many days this month with temperatures over 90 degrees.  As I was watching the weather last week, I noticed that northern Door County usually has temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler.  Since that area was on my list of places to visit, I thought let's go.  We looked at the forecast and yesterday, September 25, 2017 looked perfect.  We considered finding a place to stay overnight but realized that a day trip was doable.  We asked some friends to go along.  It was pretty short notice, but we were on the road by 7:00am.  We traveled up highway I-41 past Neenah, Appleton, Green Bay and then onto highway 54 to the Door County peninsula.  Our electronic GPS navigator kept trying to change our course to a quicker route, but we ignored her for the most part.   We wanted to go through some of the tourist towns on the West side of the peninsula.  We went through Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Sister Bay to Gills Rock and over to the Northport Pier to take the ferry to Washington Island.

Al Johnson's Swedish restaurant in Sister Bay has a grass roof with Goats.

At the Northport Pier visitors center.

There a lot of Cormorant's fishing on Lake Michigan

The ferry to the island leaves every hour so we didn't have to wait.  It is a 30 minute trip with beautiful views although it was too early to see any fall color.  We saw very little for the entire day.  We took the car over so we could drive around and see the sights on our own.  We didn't want to rely on the trolley, but it is an option for those who want to don't want to take their car.

When we arrived on the island we were greeted with these signs.   

Welcome sign showing the Scandinavian influence.

As we began to drive around, I noticed that Washington Island is more than a tourist destination.  It is a small town surrounded by Lake Michigan with a police station, school, medical clinic, library, one grocery store and a bunch of bars and eating establishments.  There are about 700 permanent residents.  We asked how people get to the island in the winter.  The ferry operator said they have ice breakers to open a path for the ferry, making it able to go to the island and back twice a day.

The first place I wanted to go was Schoolhouse beach.  I had watched a piece on Discover Wisconsin that toured some of these points of interest.  I also read a Kathleen Ernst book called "The Light Keepers Legacy" which made me aware of this area.  Washington Island and Rock Island were established as a town in the mid 1800's.  Schoolhouse beach was the site of the first log school.  The school is gone but the beach has the most beautiful perfectly smooth stones and clear water.  When you pick them up, they feel like pieces of soap.  They are limestone of all shapes and sizes worn smooth by the water.  There is a $250 fine for anyone taking a stone because this type beach is so rare.

On the way to the beach we noticed an old farm museum.  It was 9 buildings that were filled with displays of authentic items from the time the island was settled.  It had farm animals and a fully furnished log cabin which showed how everyday life was like.  The whole house was the size of our dining room.  It is hard to believe how spoiled we are compared to life more than 100 years ago.

The blacksmith shop.

My grandfather also came from Denmark and traveled to Green Bay in the late 1890's.  The sister he lived with came earlier and her name was also Hansena.  My family traveled to Withee, WI which is in central Wisconsin.  My grandfather also settled in central Wisconsin in a place called City Point and Pray, Wisconsin.  I think land was free and they were able to start a homestead.  This farm was a connection for me.

Next we went to Mountain Park and the Lookout Tower.  When we pulled into the parking area we saw a tall set of stairs.  We thought the steps would take us to the lookout.  We soon saw that the steps only took us to the base of the tower, which we then climbed to the top.  Between the stairs and the tower I think there were a total of 180 steps.

View looking down the first set of steps.

The lookout tower at the top of the mountain

View from the top of part of the island and Lake Michigan

 

Down the road we found the famous Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm that a lot of people are familiar with.  The lavender plants were done blooming, but the store was filled a huge variety of items made with lavender.  Next we saw the Island Dairy with the Norwegian Stavkirke garden pavilion.  The pavilion was built from drawings of a Church of Staves, built in Borgund, Norway in 1150 A.D.   Today it was closed as were several places on the island.  I imagine this happens after labor day.

Norwegian Stavkirke pavilion with a view of the lavender farm.

Lavender plant

There were other things to see and do, but it was time to have lunch and head down the road.  The trip back, on the ferry was breezy and almost cold.  It was wonderful and hard to believe it was 90 degrees at home.

On the way way home we followed the Garmin girl.  Because of a detour she gave us a couple bum steers but overall she was fine.  We had one more stop on our journey.  Our friends knew of a county park near Whitefish Dunes State Park.

The state park had a little to be desired.  It didn't allow camping, campfires, biking or grilling.  It did have a swimming beach.  Next door to the state park was a little known (at least by me) Door County park.  It was called Cave Point County Park.

The sign was a little frightening.

This park was so beautiful.  It had a variety of cliffs and caves.  This was the icing on the cake for me.  I don't think the photos do it justice.

When we finally got home we were all tired but happy we had such a nice day.   It was surprising that there were no fall colors.  I wonder if we will see much this year.  The nights are not getting cold enough.  I noticed the heat has caused some of the leaves to fall prematurely.  I will be watching and maybe we will have another trip in the future.  Sorry this blog is so long, but I had so much I wanted to include.

Nana and Papa's Adventure #???-Columbia Park

As long as the weather holds, we are determined to get to places we have heard about but not visited.  Last week when we visited Fond du lac, Wisconsin and the Lakeside Park lighthouse, we were actually looking for another park.  Our grandson Ewan and his other grandparents visited a park with a 70 foot climbing tower.  We couldn't find it last week so we finally got the correct name and headed out this afternoon.  It is about an hour from our house, so not too far.

Columbia Park consists of a boat landing, a camping area, a playground, a basketball court, an open shelter area and an observation tower with a navigational beacon on the top.   Our goal for the day was to climb the tower.  We parked in the parking area.  There was a couple about to leave so we were the only ones there.  As we approached the tower, it looked really tall.   I guess 70 feet is pretty tall.

The Columbia Park Observation tower.

The information on the sign said the tower was originally built as a water tower for a Fond du lac factory.  Then in 1936 it was moved and erected at this harbor on Lake Winnebago by the WPA.  It was to be used as an observation tower and navigational aid.  Over the years it deteriorated and needed to be rebuilt.  About 25 years ago the tower was restored with metal stairs, landings and observation decks.  From the top of the tower you can see a panoramic view of Lake Winnebago and the surrounding areas.  We actually climbed to the top without much trouble.  We briefly rested about half way up, but did well.  I got seven stairs on my Fitbit.  While we were standing on the top a gentleman joined us on the top.  He said on a clear day you can see Menasha and Oshkosh.  It was a little overcast on the horizon, but we could see very far.

View looking toward Menasha WI

Boat coming into the harbor.

Leaving the lake, there is a channel with a 900 foot harbor wall leading to the boat landing.

Wind energy is important but these turbines kind of spoil the beautiful view.

Coming down was easier than going up.

But it was still nice to be back on ground safe and sound.

About 3:10 we left this beautiful park.  We needed to get to our grandson Dylan's soccer match in Berlin Wisconsin which was about an hour away.  On the way out of the park, we saw the roadside was lined with these Wild Aster plants.  They are gorgeous this time of year. 

We spent the next hour watching Dylan play soccer.  He played the whole game a little bit injured but still did a great job.  It was a beautiful night for a game.

Another afternoon adventure in the books.  Let's see where else we can go in a few days.

Grocery Shopping Distraction

This will be a short little blog.  I just want to document the weather today in Wisconsin.  It is September 15, 2017.  By now we are usually turning the corner into fall, but today felt like anything but fall.  I'm not sure, but this could have been our first 90 degree day of the summer.  I guess it is still summer for another week.  I noticed the car temperature was 89 degrees late this afternoon.  No matter what, it was very unseasonable.  We started out the afternoon going to Aldi's grocery shopping, but on the way we got side tracked because it was such a beautiful day.  We stopped at a lighthouse in Fond du lac, WI and walked up four flights of steps to the top.  It is open to the public with no admission fee.  We were surprised how windy it was up there because it was very hot on the ground.  The lighthouse was built in 1933 and looks over Lake Winnebago.  This lake is very large and covers 137,000 acres.  The Upper Fox River flows past our house, travels for many miles and spills into this lake and the Lower Fox River flows out of the lake and into Lake Michigan.  The Fox River is one of the few rivers which flows from south to north.  From the top of the lighthouse we could see out onto the lake.  There was very little activity considering how nice it was, but I imagine most people are finished with their summer vacations and are back to school and work.  We could also see the marina and the beautiful flower gardens in Lakeside Park. 

A view of Lake Winnebago.  A sailboat can be seen in the distance.

A view of the marina.

One of the many flower gardens in the park.

After we left here, we noticed a thrift store that we hadn't seen before.  It was very nice, clean and inexpensive.  So many thrift stores have items that cost as much as a regular store.  I got two good deals.  I got a large pizza paddle for removing a pizza from the oven safely.  It cost $1 and a tripod for $3.  The tripod can be used on a table top or extends to at least three feet.

Finally we stopped at the grocery store.  We didn't need much so it was a quick stop.  It was a great day.  We didn't leave home until afternoon, and returned in time to make dinner at home.  Anything that needs to be done at home can wait. Days like this should be used for fun adventures.

Our Interstate Park Adventure

This is the second week in September.  The weather in Wisconsin has been amazing.  It seems impossible for us to have such perfect weather with other parts of the country suffering so much.   We know that 80 degree temperatures are not going to last so we have to make the most of it.

A few days ago we made plans with friends who are visiting their daughter and grandsons.  We were meeting for breakfast.  Over the weekend we talked about having breakfast with them and then finding someplace fun to go afterward.  We met at 9:30 and visited until noon.  I'm sure the restaurant was ready to kick us out.  After saying our goodbyes, we headed up the highway.  It was such a nice day, we decided to pick up the flowers from the cemetery where my parents are buried.  The flowers have to be off the graves by October 1 or they throw them all away.  It is a two hour trip that we have made many times.  Since I didn't let any of my relatives know we would be in town and I don't think it's nice to just show up unannounced at peoples houses, we didn't stop to visit anyone.  We got back on the road and headed further north toward Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  When we got there, we kept going.  In June my cousin Jean and her husband Thom had posted on Facebook that they visited a state park which was shared with Wisconsin and Minnesota.  I always kept that in my memory.  It is called Interstate State Park near St. Croix Falls, WI.  I had packed a bag for us, just in case we decided not to go home that night.  I'm glad I did.  I booked a room at the Holiday Inn in St. Croix Falls.  Phone apps make that so easy now days.  By 6:00pm we had safely arrived.

In the morning we got up bright and early.  We loaded the car, ate breakfast and checked out.  By 9:30 we were headed for the park which was only three miles away.  Since earlier we purchased a Senior State Park sticker, it didn't cost any additional fee to get in.  Interstate Park is the oldest state park in Wisconsin.  For more than 100 years visitors have come to this area to see the beauty.

There are many trails in the park.  The first one we chose was called the Pothole Trail.  This trail has rough terrain and stone steps but it was only a .4 mile loop.  I have to say, it seemed longer than that.  Glacial potholes could be seen along the trail.  Some of the potholes are small and some are a little larger.

One of many potholes along the trail

Stone steps on the trail.

The trail looks over the gorge of the Dalles of the St. Croix River.  It was a beautiful view.

I made my husband nervous when I climbed up on this rock.  It is straight down behind me.

After we made this loop, we drove to the trail head for the Summit Rock Trail.  This trail took us to the highest point on the bluffs.  It had more beautiful views.

Notice the bridge at the top of the picture.  Later we will cross that bridge into Minnesota.

The Summit Rock Trail descends into the Echo Canyon Trail and connects to the Lake O' the Dalles Trail.  When we finished Summit Rock we drove to the beginning of the Dalles Trail and approached the Echo trail from another direction.  On the road we noticed another observation area.  I saw this sign which was placed in 1938, a hundred years after it was settled.  The CCC camps developed and improved this park from 1935 to 1940.  There are pictures of this process at the visitors center along with other museum collections from the area.

There is a nice parking area across from the  Lake O' The Dalles Trail.  From here you can go to the beach, a playground and picnic area.  We walked down to the lake and then entered the Echo Canyon Trail.

This trail follows an extinct riverbed.  It was a lot cooler along this trail because we were at the bottom of the canyon walls.  Since my husband Mike was a science teacher in his working years, he could point out geological points of interest.  Looking up you see the rocky talus.

Finally we crawled out of the canyon.  It was steep but spaced in a way that it wasn't too exhausting.  You can see Mike picked up a walking stick along the way.  If we would have planned ahead, he would have taken the one he has at home.

Finally we returned to the car.  It had been a great day, but it was about noon and time to head home.  We went back to the visitors center to get some water.  The nice lady who worked there asked if we had seen the potholes on the Minnesota side of the park.  We had not because we thought we had to drive over there and we thought the bridge was closed for construction.  We were wrong.  The bridge was open but she told us how we could walk across the bridge from the Wisconsin side.  She said it would be a shame to go home without seeing the Minnesota side.  So off we went again walking across the pedestrian bridge which ran next to the highway.

Swirling rapids below the bridge

View from the Walking Bridge

We were greeted by this sign after we crossed the bridge.

At this location there was a paddleboat tour which was about to leave.  It would have been a good option if we hadn't already seen all the beautiful views from the trails.

I am so glad we took the extra time to visit this part of the park.  The potholes were huge and amazing.  It must be a special place because they were doing a photo shoot there.  From what I could gather, they are opening a new planetarium in Minneapolis and are using these shots from the park.

The green you see is the pothole.  It is covered with algae.

This pothole was so large there were stairs to the bottom.

Looking up from the inside.  The walls were so smooth.

It was finally time to go home.  We had a great time even though it was short.  We could have spent a week because there is so much to see.  The pictures don't even begin to do it justice.  We are also very proud that we were able to do this at our age.  For those who are familiar with Fitbits, my husband registered 60 flights of stairs.  It takes me two trips up and down our basement steps to register just one.  The best part is that we were able to get up in the morning without any ill effects.  It even motivated us to do more of this while we still can.