Looking for a little adventure, I mean a real ‘out amongst the wilderness’ adventure, if only for a couple of hours? How about a bit of danger, difficulty and natural landscape to sooth the soul? That sums up a journey on Eagle Trail in Peninsula State Park.
I discovered this trail, one of many in the park, years ago while kayaking with my sisters and their children. We beached our kayaks along a portion of the trail and saw the highlights. After that small trek, I’ve yearned to hike the entire trail. Friday I had that opportunity. I was literally amped with anticipation the entire day, as I waited for my companion to arrive after work.
As I mentioned, Eagle Trail resides in Peninsula State Park, being the second oldest and third largest state park in Wisconsin. If I felt extraordinarily ambitious, I could easily write about the park in several different blogs. From a sandy beach and bluffs to a light house and campgrounds, the park has most of what makes for a great family outing.
We start out from my house at approximately 5pm, beginning the hour and a half drive from Green Bay. We’re not only going hiking, we’ll see a bit of the park and have a few drinks at a local establishment afterwards.
We arrive at the park around 6:20 and decide to buy the annual State Park pass instead of the one day pass. One day is $10 and an entire year is $28. I’m sure this will not be the last state park I visit this year.
Note to the would be visitor of peninsula state park, there are signs that direct you to most of the highlights, but one would be wise to pick up a park map. We don’t, as I’m confident that I only need to follow road signs.
We stop and see the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, which is closed at this time. Still, the exterior is pretty cool. We start a conversation with vacationers who, of all things, tell us they are finishing up there vacation in Green Bay. I ask, since I didn’t see any signs, if they know how to get to the Eagle Trail. They shrug and say no.
We hop back in the car and drive a bit. Finally, after driving for quite a while, we decide to head back to the entrance and grab a map. Heidi also asks for specific directions. We start off on Shore rd and turn off at Skyline rd. This way we’re able to cut across the park. We hook back up with Shore rd and park at Eagle Panorama, where the trail begins and ends. It offers some exceptional views of the bay. It’s now 7:30, we’ll barely make it before sunset.
We glance, from the bluff, out towards the bay before us. Then, we descend a crude and small stone stair case and begin the trail.
The route starts off easy enough, maybe a root here or a rock there to keep me on my toes. There’s a certain tranquility amongst the trees, as the evening sunlight fights the canopy of green to brighten the forest floor. The song of birds is in the air.
We’re descending towards the bay, as a small wall of limestone, now and again, juts from the earth creating scenery itself. For now, its peaceful. Heidi lingers behind and I can’t contain myself because I know the real treats are further ahead.
As we gain towards the shore the trail is both rockier and muddy. Now I am watching every step and being cautious as the rocks are atop one another. In other parts, wood planks serve as a bridge over extremely muddy parts of the trail. Still, there’s places that you ultimately have to step in mud.
To add to the woes, mosquitoes are in full effect, something about water and woodlands that amass populations comparable to people in New York City. I spray some mosquito repellant on me and continue further.
There’s actually a sign that urges me to stay on the trail because of ‘loose rocks above’. Naturally, I look inland and upwards. Through the trees, I see the gleaming limestone High above. I know soon we will be right at the base of a cliff.
The trail becomes quite difficult as we reach a vertical mass of rock, a member of what is known as the Niagra escarpment. The escarpment’s most famous piece lies in New York, being the cliff that the Niagra River flows over- giving us Niagra Falls. Here, it’s just a cliff, but it’s pretty awesome!
Along with the sheer height of the cliff, along the stony path, spring water trickles from the stony floor towards the bay. The waves of the bay lapping the shore and birds in the forest serve as background noise.
After we leave the cliff behind, the trail doesn’t get much easier. Mud and stone still create obstacles. At one point, the climb is that of an ascent over tree roots.
Once we are near the mouth of the trail the walk becomes considerably less arduous. We leave the trail early and check out some views along the road, enjoying the last glimpses of the sunset over the bay.
Once we’re done, we head over to Nicolet beach and change into some fresh clothes, in order to have a night on the town. Nicolet beach is nice but we really can’t see much of it in the dusk. Their changing rooms are first rate however.
We make it to Bayside tavern, enjoying a few brews and a pizza. It’s such a contrast to the trail. Here, people compete with the chatter of each other and the music to be heard.
On the drive back, we stop on a country road and immerse our selves in a night sky void of light pollution. It’s a canopy of a million lights as the Milky Way is prominent. Finally, we reluctantly head back towards Green Bay.
It was a great evening!
They’re tourist attractions all by themselves. I’m sure you’ve heard of buildings said to be the “Home of the Future.” The problem with those houses, in today’s evolving world, shortly they become contemporary. Hell, after a passing generation or two, they’re outdated and probably out of place.
There are a plethora of roads that have Iconic Identities. There’s Rodeo drive, Route 66 , Broadway, Wall Street-I could go on but you’d get bored and I’m sure I’ve made my point. One road, as many Wisconsin natives know, speaks everything football, at least if you’re a fan of the Pack. True, if you know the area, there are venues, like the Hutson Center, that aren’t set on Lombardi. Yet, If you stroll the walk starting at the Title Town district and continue on Lombardi Avenue, you can’t help allowing a little green and gold to flow through your blood stream.
The stadium parking lots are buzzing with activity. I enter the lot casually and snap a photo of statues representing two of the most iconic men, not only in Packer lore, but the NFL itself. One of the statues is Curl Lambeau, the player, coach and founder of the franchise. The second is Vince Lombardi who assembled and coached teams that won five championships in seven years, including the first two Super Bowls. They stand guard at a flight of concrete stairs, ascending towards a gate facing Lombardi Avenue. I’m not the only one hoping to get a great picture of these detailed depictions.
Across the street from the Stadium stands another landmark. Its simply a fence, you know, like a white picket fence, except its painted with packer graffiti and a slogan. It’s been a tradition that has been kept for over thirty years.
I continue on and make my way to a quite recent addition to Lombardi Ave, the Title Town district. This place provides year round fun. In the Winter, there is a hip and charming skating rink beneath a large, man made, sledding hill known as Arien’s hill. Tubes and skates are available for rent for these activities.
One could spend a joyful day just playing games and running the field, but there’s more appeal. Atop the Kohler Lodge, a stylishly classy hotel, lies the Tavern in the Sky. The bar is much like the rest of the hotel, classy. What sells this place for me is the balcony, as you sit on the fifth floor, that over looks the Packers’ Stadium. The beer list is really good too. There is a dining room set off from the lounge, where one can get a meal, I’m not sure of the prices but its probably safe to say, there a bit pricy.
Nearby rests another great restaurant and bar known as Hinterland Brewery. Yes, the beer is brewed right at the establishment. They offer great brews such as Packer Land Pilsner and Hinterland Cherry Wheat, along with domestics and others. This is a great place for fine dining, but watch out, the prices are quite steep.
The most cleverly titled restaurant is a small bistro situated under Ariens hill, known as 46 below. For those of you that don’t know, that was the temperature, if you factor in the wind chill, of the famous Ice Bowl. I smile thinking that today its in the mid 70’s.
If your in the Green Bay area and searching for some fun, take a drive to the west side and follow the Lombardi Avenue exit. Its the result of a Football crazy town and a national following. Safe travels!
It seems, these days, that every town is delving into the tourist market, whether it be a museum, multi-use arena, trendy refurbished ‘main street’, historical sight, renovated waterfront, adventurous park and- I’m sure you get the Idea. Tourist dollars are added revenue for any area. Why not capitalize?
I came prepared with shorts and waterproof sandals. So I think, why not walk it? I stride the Icy waters and battle the mild waves of the rocky causeway. The water line is just below the cell phone in my pocket, as I remind myself one misstep could be an expensive blunder.
I enter the house, which is attached to the light tower, that claims itself as a gift shop. It’s much more than that, as many rooms of the house are filled with old artifacts and info. There’s chipped paint, bare plaster and worn wood everywhere. I am free to read the info and inspect the rooms. For its time, this would have made more than an adequate family living quarters. The house is slated to be refinished, to the way it would have appeared circa 1910, in the next year.
After sauntering through the living quarters, I’m ready to climb the beacon. As I enter, intimidated by the Iron spiral staircase that literally winds towards the top, I gather my courage. I believe its 97 steps, as the lighthouse is 89 ft.
After the daunting climb, I am greeted by a friendly man who recites information about the light itself. The last source of light used in this beacon was a 250 watt lightbulb, which is fitted in the fixture today. It could be seen from eighteen miles away. When the tower was first lit in 1870, lard was the fuel for the lamp, later replaced with mineral oil.
After I descend the staircase, I get one more glimpse of the house. I then investigate some of the rustic buildings a little closer. There is an outhouse, made of brick, and a building where the fuel for the lamp in the tower was kept, plus a few more.
Today was enjoyable, as I’ve never been inside a lighthouse before. It’s such an interesting and, at the time, very necessary structure. Today, it’s a monument of a past Door County, built and lit around the same time many immigrants began settlement farms in Wisconsin.
People come in all shapes and sizes, and varying tastes and expectations. I have to keep that in mind. I blog with the intent, if I enjoy an attraction, to draw someone to that place. If the reader has heard about the location before, possibly they gain insight about the Park, Museum or quaint little town I write about. That being stated, it seems I have found a rut and, maybe, just maybe, my blog doesn’t include everyone’s tastes.
As interesting as the history is, I am really not feeling the place. Much of the furniture is not original to the house, there are additions from the renovation and there is uncertainty as to what some rooms were used for. Don’t get me wrong, its a nice place with many Victorian age pieces to give the house an authentic appeal. I just feel, as the time has passed, much of the real character of the home has been lost.
There is plenty of festivities and fun in the Botanical Gardens. It is the scene of free concerts on Wednesdays, there is an operatic performance taking place this day, it plays host to weddings and there are other great events in this beautiful venue.
We discover another Bar and Restaurant known as Fox Harbor, as a band is finishing up their final sound checks. So, again, we check out the band. This patio is smaller and gated, and manned by a young guy with his head in a book. The place is packed with a fun loving crowd, all around my age or a little older. We enjoy more refreshments and then head home. Its already eight when we make it through the doors of my house.
Did your ever wonder, as you sat through history class, what a rural landscape would look like in the 1800’s? I mean, you can visit some outdoor museums and set eyes on old structures, like churches and blacksmith shops. That being said, as you would find such buildings in many historical parks, most times they are bunched together in a rather random order. These places are definitely fun and educational, some with workers dressed in period attire. Yet, and I didn’t realize this till my latest excursion, the feel of the pioneer days is somewhat lost.
We begin our trek and discover a simplistic and tiny, but beautiful, church on the way. As we walk through town I’m tempted to stop at more establishments. My companion urges me to stay focused and head to the German section. So we walk, and almost make it to our destination without the aide of a tram. At the final stop, before we arrive, we pick it up and ride for a few seconds.
We enjoy the cup and walk to a German farm. As we look through the different homesteads, there are rustic gardens, historic breeds of livestock, interesting farmhouses and rather rudimentary barns. There are three German immigrant farms and a polish house in this section. We finish up the tour by stumbling on another small church that hardly looks the part. The history of the church, as it belonged to a fully integrated community, makes you proud to be a Wisconsinite.
We return to Crossroads Village. However, as I’m enthralled with places like a boarding house, known as the Four Mile house, my companion is worried we’ll miss the Scandinavian immigrant portion of the park. So we head off to see the homes of the Norseman.
We finish up our visit at Cross roads village, checking out a playhouse, blacksmith shop, general store and a few more homes. Also, the wheelmen’s club allows you to take a try at riding a high wheel trike.
This cool venue is south of Milwaukee near a town known as Eagle. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit as did my companion. It rests in what is known as Kettle Moraine State Forest. If you’re ever in southern Wisconsin, check it out.
I do suggest this place, especially if you’ve never been here before. The house paired with the gardens makes for an extraordinary experience. It is located in Oshkosh Wisconsin. If your heading down 41 and take the Algoma blvd exit, heading into the city, you’ll run right into it.
We walk the pier and enjoy the the sun’s rays reflecting off the clouds. It’s a brightly colored collage tonight, as the bay is so calm it appears as a sheet of glass. People are fishing from the stony structure as boaters leave with their boat in good order. After the sun has set we leave the park behind.