Day 227 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways
I survived another storm yesterday. It came and left within an hour yesterday afternoon, but it was ominous. Dark black clouds rolled in as the wind swirled. I was pulled off in a roadside rest area, but I’m told the wind lifted the water off the lake, creating a water spout.
Cave Point County Park
This morning we cruised up the “thumb” of Wisconsin. Our first stop was Cave Point County Park where Lake Michigan’s waves splash against dolomite cliffs. During rough weather, this can be a spectacle, though today it was calm enough for locals to take a dip. I’ve heard from a handful of folks over the last week that the water is warm. It’s all relative I guess…I’m certain it is at least 10 degrees cooler than I prefer.
The cliffs were formed 410 million years ago through a combination of glaciation and erosion. We walked along a few of the outcroppings, but Petey is still feeling gloomy, so we didn’t get too much exercise. I’m certain tearing into a six month supply of Heartguard last night didn’t help. I guess he will be heartworm free for August anyway!
Ridges Sanctuary
We continued on to Baileys Harbor, home to the Ridges Sanctuary, one of the largest wildflower preserves in America. Petey wasn’t allowed on the well-groomed, bark trails, so I sauntered through the forest of white spruce along the Winter Wren Trail. I picked up my pace a bit as buzzing flies would not leave the vicinity of my head despite me waving my paper map around. I spotted a handful of wild flowers but managed to miss the 27 species of orchids. I would say it was a very peaceful walk
except those darn flies ruined it. How important are flies to the food chain? I could stand to live without them!
Sister Bay
We reached Sister Bay by lunch time. I tried some local cuisine at Al Johnson’s. It is known for its traditional Swedish menu and its sodded roof. I had the most unusual lunch in a long time; Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and Swedish meatballs.
Washington Island
After lunch we followed Highway 42 north to Gills Rock, the tip of the thumb where we took a car ferry to Washington Island. The turbulent currents between the tip of
Wisconsin and Washington Island earned the name, place of death, from the Indians. French explorers dubbed it Porte des Morts, loosely translated as Death’s Door from which Door County derived its name.
Washington Island was named for the schooner, George Washington in 1816. The Washington, the largest and finest vessel on the lake at the time, carried soldiers from Mackinaw to Green Bay where they were to establish a fort. While anchored in what now is known as Washington Harbor, the soldiers gave the harbor and island its name. Washington Island is the second oldest Icelandic settlement in America. The early settlers were primarily fishermen. In time, Swedish, Danes, and Norwegians arrived bringing farming and logging.
While on the island, we visited Schoolhouse Beach and Washington Harbor. The Washington Harbor is the oldest of the four harbors on the island and was popular among the tall schooners and large steamships due to the wide entrance and deep waters. The big ships and docks are now gone and tourists enjoy the rocky beach. Schoolhouse beach is made up of limestone rocks that may have traveled all the way from Niagara Falls to end here. I don’t think I’ve seen a beach quite like it.
Ryan and Friends
We toured the island a bit more before grabbing the 5:30 ferry back to the mainland. On the ferry, I met Ryan and a few fellow members of his amateur league baseball team. As a teenager, he used to throw a 94 mph fast ball and had a full ride to anywhere, but he needed surgery, so turnd to tech school. He works for a utility company in the gas area. He seems to know everyone on the thumb…they are all his cousins…I guess so since he has 14 aunts and uncles, 13 on one side!
In his spare time he hunts, fishes, works in the garden and makes wine. After dinner and drinks at a local pub, I tried his raspberry wine…good…tasted like Sangria. He has a variety of fruit trees planted outside his house that he built himself. He only had the insulation and tile completed by contractors. He was fun. It would be nice to keep in touch…but no internet, cell phone or cable for him…I’ll have to resort to old methods…a house phone! ETB
Map of My Road Trip Across the USA
Learn more about my road trip across the USA, or click the link below for the interactive map.
seemed like a very nice day for you
I really had a lot a fun too. Thanks for the nice artical. I Hope your doing well. I FINALLY got the internet so I am finally trying to catch up on you! Thanks again, Ryan
Ryan was the most amazing athlete I ever saw, especially baseball. I honestly think he could have made the Major Leagues.