More Door County

Wagon Trail Campground

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Wagon Trail has Yurt campsites – really cute! I read through the yurt’s guest book, and loved this kid’s entry…

They also have cabins…

A “Sister Resort” to the campground is Rowley’s Bay Resort. In their lobby is an old pump organ that reminded me of my Grandmother, and the organ they shipped to Peru in 1913. And it turns out this one was carried across Green Bay- by horses and a sleigh over the ice on the winter of 1920!

I know this may sound like a paid commercial, (it’s not!), but we have really enjoyed this place!

Bike Ride to Europe

We rode our bikes through the woods all the way to Europe! Europe Bay. Super beautiful and it didn’t involve trying to pedal over the ocean.

While traipsing through the woods, I picked up some cute hitchhikers- This plant had nice little flowers, and interesting baskets of seeds waiting to get out and travel!

Peninsula State Park

Blossomburg cemetery is in the middle of the State Park – a pretty area with some very old stones.

Here’s a guy who didn’t take many notes… and Charlie is pretty scarce on details too.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

Opened in 1868, this lighthouse and others in the area are where virtually all lighthouse keepers in the country were trained in those days.

The grounds are surrounded by these berries – and we can’t verify what they are! Maybe Autumn Olive Berries? Please feel free to enlighten us!

Cana Island County Park

This is the only island I’ve been to where we were pulled through the water by a Deere. The road ends on the sand, with a sign saying “No parking beyond this point”. The sign is somewhat pointless itself, because there is only water past the sign. Then a John Deere tractor arrives from the island, pulling a wagon over a narrow spit of land, covered with 2-3 feet of water. Then it’s our turn, and off we go into the bay and to the island. It’s a unique experience!

Down the stairs and up into the Fresnel lens:

Ephraim

A quaint little town, with an interesting history. Originally founded near what is now Green Bay, by a Moravian preacher, to give those of his faith a wholesome place to live. He turned out to be a bit more of a shady land developer than a preacher, however. He was buying property from the government and reselling it to the locals at a great markup, and not even producing legal deeds. When he was found out, he left town, and so did everyone else. They started a new town, same name, same goals, well up on Door Peninsula. The religious foundation of the area is perhaps the reason why this community is so peaceful… and was the last “Dry City” in Wisconsin… only voting to allow sales of alcohol in 2016, thus ending a 163-year ban on beer and wine sales!

Met a cutie while shopping…

Washington Island

Stavkirke

This fascinating building looks like it might have been designed by Darth Vader, but it really is modeled after medieval Norwegian chapels. A “Stav” is a pole, or mast. This chapel has 12 center staves, and is built with joinery like a Viking ship.

A replica of a sailing ship from the early 1800’s hangs from the nave, and a tool belt hangs in a corner as a memorial to one of the builders who died before the chapel’s completion.

Schoolhouse Beach

This beach claims to be one of very few with such rounded rocks. Seems we’ve seen them elsewhere, but whatever… it’s very pretty!

Jackson Harbor

Washington Island Farm Museum

Jacobsen Museum

Jens Jacobsen built his cabin in the Norwegian style, with vertical logs instead of horizontal logs like Abe Lincoln would have done. Leaving the bark on, the vertical logs were supposed to shed water quickly and be preserved longer.

In his museum, we met 11 cousins there for a reunion… some of which had never met each other previously. The one on the stairs works at the museum.

Ellison Bay / Death’s Door Maritime museum

I was fascinated by these old Kahlenberg diesel engines. Very interesting early 1900’s technology.

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant

A Door County must is this beautiful restaurant in Sister Bay. It’s easy to find… the only place with goats on the roof! The sod roof is home to a number of goats, and has been a landmark for decades. But it’s the Swedish Pancakes that make it worth the trip!