On Wednesday, July 4th, we got up early and packed our bags and our dog and headed to Door County, Wisconsin. Door County is the most northern part of the Door Peninsula. We had heard from various friends and family how beautiful that area is along the eastern coast (Lake Michigan) as well as along the western coast (Bay Green Bay).
We decided we would take a more southern route over to the lower east side of the peninsula. Our first stop was near Two Rivers, WI, at Point Beach State Forest. It was our first glimpse of Lake Michigan, and the first thing we noticed was how much cooler it was there. We were a little disappointed because it was very hazey over Lake Michigan. A friendly man explained to us that it was a very warm wind that was blowing from the east to the west (instead of from west to east). The water in Lake Michigan is still very cold this time of year, so the warm wind causes “steam” to rise off the lake.
I can’t believe I caught that bird in flight.
Lake Michigan (and all the Great Lakes) were critical to the success of travel, trade and settlement of this area (and still is today!). Signs like this one were all over the coastline. It was interesting to read about the history of the water transportation at each of our stops. I won’t bore you with pictures of ALL those signs. 😊 [[[[
We also saw our first lighthouse of the trip: Rawley Point Lighthouse. Construction on the lighthouse and keeper’s dwelling began in March of 1873, and because of various complications, was not completed until December of 1874. The lighthouse was staffed until 1979 when the station became fully automated.
And one more picture of the lighthouse.
Now I REALLY can’t believe it! Zoom in and look between the circular roof of the dwelling and about halfway up the lighthouse. Do you see the bird dive-bombing something? 😂
Then we headed north along the Lake Michigan shoreline to the town of Kewaunee. Kewaunee is a lovely coastal lake town with beaches, a marina and it’s own lighthouse (I never discovered the name of this lighthouse).
Then we continued north along the coast to the town of Algoma. Algoma has a scenic walkway along the Ahnapee River with views of boats, old fishing shanties (didn’t get any pictures of those 😢), and the Algoma Lighthouse.
I’m getting good at catching these birds in flight.
We were getting close to Sturgeon Bay where we had motel reservations for three nights. We had gone far enough north on the eastern coastline side and decided to go across the peninsula to the west side which was close to where our motel was located. However, before checking into our motel, we headed to Potawatomi State Park which is at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay and only 4 miles from our motel.
This state park is named for the Indian tribe that once occupied the land. There are campgrounds, picnic areas, a nature center and park store, and Old Ski Hill Overlook (which has a beautiful panoramic view that I can only imagine how gorgeous it is in the fall!).
There were 3 or 4 deer that crossed the road right in front of us. This is the momma, and her baby is behind the tree (you can kind of see baby’s hind end in this picture.)
And…..NOW there is baby!
Old Ski Hill Overlook.
Old Ski Hill Overlook.
Old Ski Hill Overlook.
Old Ski Hill Overlook (I zoomed in on this picture). Can you see the country church on the left about halfway up?
The final view at Potawatomi State Park. Can you tell it was getting ready to pour down rain?
The town of Sturgeon Bay is the gateway to Door county. It is located right at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay. The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula to connect Bay Green Bay to Lake Michigan. Ships were and are an important mode of transportation for goods as well as people. The shorter portion of the canal was dug between July, 1872 – late fall of 1881. Smaller watercraft began using the canal in 1880, however, it was not open for large-scale watercraft until 1890.
There are two draw bridges that allow larger ships to go from Bay Green Bay to Lake Michigan through the canal. We drove across both bridges and actually saw one of the draw bridges letting a large yacht go through one evening (although I didn’t get my camera out in time to catch the yacht going through; I just got the bridge coming down). Sturgeon Bay is an beautiful, interesting bay and busy harbor.
All of this was just DAY #1 of our trip to Door Peninsula and Door County! Now you understand why I chose to make a Part 1 and Part 2 blog of this adventure. 😆 I’ll post more about DAY #2 and #3 in a few days.
So, for now ….. “On the Road Again!”
Betty