Wisconsin in Review

From Minnesota we drove straight to Bayfield, Wisconsin... gateway to the Apostle Islands which sounded intriguing.  We remembered a few years ago when we visited Mackinac Island, biking around it with the most spectacular views of Lake Huron and envisioned the same experience here.  So we hopped on the 30 minute ferry with our bikes but found ourselves on a 7 mile, inland trail.  The only views of Lake Superior were as we left the ferry.  

We found a small beach and a few rocks to climb on, but probably wouldn't return to this area.  We did love the exercise, though... Alayna couldn't believe she made it 16 miles!  

We had a long stretch to our next destination (Bayfield...the northern tip of WI to Baraboo... just south of Wisconsin Dells) and it's times like this that we're reminded of the joys of traveling in your house!  As it was approaching evening we were hungry for dinner so on our way through a small town we found a vacant parking lot, pulled over, fixed tacos  & watched an I Love Lucy episode while having dinner... so cool!  Still a ways to go, we found a Walmart parking lot to sleep for the night.  Not the best view, but with the generator running & plenty of water in the tanks we are fully function-able!

Our campground near Wisconsin Dells was a fun one for the girls... they especially loved the beach area full of water activities.  

We caught the Baraboo fireworks display & while waiting for them to start, skyped Amber, Andrew & sweet little Emery.  

So did you know Wisconsin Dells is the water park capitol of the world?!?  Because water parks are one of my LEAST favorite places in the world, Jim and the girls spent a day together at Noah's Ark... "Largest Water Park in the Country".  Of course we have no photos of this since I wasn't there:)  And because the girls have been BEGGING to start school (they are SO Jim's children!) I spent the much needed day homeschool prepping.

Before moving on, we spent a morning at Devil's Lake State Park.  We chose a trail that brought us on a 45 minute steep, rocky hike that led us to a gorgeous bluff trail overlooking the lake.  

Our last destination in Wisconsin was a stark difference... from the touristy, bustling Branson-style town to a quaint, picturesque harbor town.  We stayed in Egg Harbor, about an hour northeast of Green Bay.  Occasionally we get a site without full hook-ups.  Like our campsite here, we have electricity and water, but no dump station to get rid of all the water we use on board.  This is when it ALMOST feels like camping as we have to limit our shower time (or use the on-site showers) & wash dishes in a tub outside!  But sometimes the location makes it worth it...  

One thing people told us we HAD to try while here was a "fish boil".  Apparently it's Door County's "thing".  

It's a cooking tradition that began a century ago.  Fishermen and farmers needed to provide sustenance for large groups of hungry lumbermen and settlers... and thus, the Fish Boil was born.

When you show up for dinner you place your order then are sent out-back where you watch the cooking process.

Logs were propped up the sides to help regulate the cooking temperature.

There are huge kettles of boiling water with baskets of red potatoes, onions & Lake Michigan Whitefish cooking inside.  During the cooking process, the fish oils naturally rise to the surface of the water.

  Immediately before removing the fish, potatoes and onions from the kettle, the Master Boiler carefully tosses #1 of fuel oil into the fire beneath the kettle.  The result is an intense burst of flames that forces the water and floating fish oils to "boil over" the rim of the kettle.    

Everyone claps and heads inside to enjoy their share of the yumminess.  An experience we probably wouldn't try again, but always fun to join in on the local traditions.  

Yes, it IS smothered in butter!

Only about 30 minutes to the tip of Door County, we drove out to take the ferry (with our topless jeep) to Washington Island.  We visited a beautiful Norwegian stave (church) with a wooded, peaceful prayer trail leading to it.  

We walked over 200 steps up to a lookout tower,  

And played at the Schoolhouse Beach.  The water was chilly, but the beach was unique... smooth, rounded white stones that from a distance looked like white sand.  Incredibly uncomfortable to lay out, but fun for rock skipping & building things... like Alayna's chair at the water's edge.

The girls and I couldn't leave the area without time in Egg Harbor's downtown so we spent a morning browsing through the eclectic, artsy shops & enjoying Italian sodas, gourmet popcorn & Wisconsin cheese (Alayna's favorite!). 

Our week in Wisconsin also held go-carting, the start of home school & lots of s'mores-making campfires, but all good things must come to an end & again it's time to roll...