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?
Some places, however, were practically built on that industry. Take Door County, for instance. The northern Half of the county, from practically the moment settlers set foot on the peninsula, was considered a place travelers would enjoy. It, with it’s 300 miles of rocky shoreline, a dozen or so lighthouses, dense forests, rolling farmland, cherry orchards and steep bluffs, has been dubbed the ‘Cape Cod of the Midwest’
Towns are buzzing with people and festivities these summer months, as there are so many draws that the county possesses. One, as I’ve already mentioned it, adorns a lot of Door County Memorabilia. From T-shirts to Keychains, lighthouses seem to be a signature trait, well, that and cherries. I’ll save the cherries for another blog.
I grew up in Door County, so you would think I would know all about lighthouses. Actually, before today, I’ve never set foot in one. I decided, after a fellow blogger posted a picture of a lighthouse kitchen, that it would be well worth an afternoon. It was.
I am headed down, what is known, as a rustic road. This narrow path curves through a thick cedar forest. If it was not for the power lines, following the twists and turns, I would assume I was in a tranquil woodland void of man. I am following markers along this paved trail, directing me to the Cana Island Lighthouse.
Finally the road ends, and I do mean ends, at a shore of Lake Michigan. Before it does, off to my right, there is a compact parking lot full of cars. I enter said lot, simmering with anticipation.
I hastily bound for the end of the road and have two choices. I can board the wagon tugged by a small tractor, that at the moment is traversing the water covered causeway, or I could go at it by foot.
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 reach the shore of the small Island and find an admission shack. I pay my twelve dollars and am off to explore.
The Island is absolutely beautiful and well maintained. I follow a trail that winds through shrubs and trees, the Beacon looming in the distance. Not only is the steel cylinder, which has cased the tower since the turn of the last century, standing on the grounds, but other rustic buildings add an old world feel to this very quaint, and seemingly secluded, parcel.
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.
Being inside the light tower, I can tell that it is much older than the steel façade. When it was built in 1869, one would have seen a brick exterior. The worn interior seems to fit the living quarters and is proof of genuine antiquity.
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 the information, I am invited to experience the exterior of the lighthouse. I’m left to indulge in a panoramic view of the Island from atop the light house-absolutely spectacular!
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.
Go see Cana Island lighthouse, It is a unique excursion. My only regret is that I didn’t take a picture of the tractor and wagon that brought people across the causeway. Darn it!
Cana Island lighthouse open 10-5 seven days a week, May thru October.
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.
It was one of those days where nothing went according to plan, every turn ending up very different than I had hoped. Despite the difficulties, the day turned out to be a fairly cool experience, considering that even the weather seemed to be against me.
So, I’m in a predicament. I really have no other Ideas and being Monday it might be hard to find a place. But wait, I have a list of suggestions that a friend texted me. Some of these are five star winners! I work through the list and find an interesting ‘museum’ Known as the National Mustard Museum. I know nothing about the topic, actually I hated mustard as a kid. Yet, its grown on me and I’m wondering what kind of spot labels itself the National Mustard Museum. Better yet, what’s there?
I am won over the minute I stroll through the door, however. A no nonsense lady greets me cordially and points out the highlights of this, I’m not sure what to call it, museum? Gourmet mustard shop? What ever it is, I love the rustic approach, I sense the one room corner grocery store I knew as a child. Every thing says old fashioned General Store.
I’m not blown away. It’s mustard. Yet, the uniqueness and style of the venue make it a ten on the interest meter. I mean, I can find wine tasting, I’ve seen micro brew conventions, I love chili cook-offs and I can visit Costco and consume a small meal on their samples throughout the store. Yet, I doubt I can go any other place in the world and sample Tequila Mustard.
I buy a bottle of beer mustard and say my good bye’s to the cashier. As I head towards the car I’m struck by the quaintness of Middleton. So, instead of heading home, I decide to find something to eat.
They’re the most commonly used mode of transportation in the US. Birthed at the turn of the last century, they started off a crudely designed and cumbersome machine, living up to their nickname ‘The horseless carriage’. Yet, by the thirties and beyond, a good number of their designs caused passers by to admire with double takes, glancing at elegance gracing a city street.
I stroll into a fresh reception area, at the entrance of a building that is stylish in its own right, accompanied by a young lady full of information. I pay my discounted admission fee of $8, listening to her outline the highlights of the Gallery. In this reception area, interesting vehicles, such as an old Buick station wagon, start my visit off right.
I turn the corner and my eyes must be wider. There’s a wide array of automobiles, some auto show regulars, from drag racers that hang from the wall to a ford model A. Of course, like I said, there are the Corvettes, Mustangs and Camaros I tend to find anytime I find a classic car collection. However, I discover new cars, well new to me. Like a muscle car known as an AMC Javelin, and for the movie buff, a 1981 DeLorean, being the time travelling vehicle in ‘Back to the Future”.
Not only is this some cool mesh of auto art gallery meets history museum, It’s also an event center. I peruse the indoor conference room and outdoor patio. Definitely a winner for a small get together.
However, I’m not finished, there are more cars waiting in a smaller room. I discover an automobile known as the Dearborne Duece. This car is still being produced in this day and age. It is a replica of the original Duece manufactured in 1932, being constructed from Detroit steel.
Of all the cool cars, as there are roughly 60 according to my research (somehow I felt there was more) there is something else that gives this fresh new venue an added sense of benevolence. I see a small group of men, I would assume that have reached the age of retirement, working as volunteers. I only briefly witness their interactions as one talks to me for a moment. Yet, in those moments, I sense these men share knowledge, camaraderie and a sense of purpose void of stress.
The Automobile Gallery is a non profit organization, benefitting from these passionate volunteers. I almost get the sense that these men belong to some kind of club. I’m the only visitor in the building at the time, and these men don’t shun me but encourage me to explore their ‘clubhouse’.
This place makes a statement. Art comes in many forms and one can’t deny the beauty of these amazing standouts. Yes, many, such as the muscle cars, were manufactured and appealed to testosterone driven men with a sense of adventure, but these cars are both historically interesting and significant, not to mention stunning.
In my last blog, I recently visited a Wisconsin State Park that stirred thoughts, seemingly never so concrete. The setting of that Park, still fresh in my memory, portrayed an ancient settlement with residents accustomed to harmonizing with mother nature. I, myself, not being a hunter and a subpar fisherman, imagine those basic survival tasks almost an impossible effort. However, today, in the most unlikely setting, I sat in my kayak and pictured a life centuries before the settlement of the white man.
Up ahead, near a log, I see a sizeable fish frolicking at the surface. I’m wondering if he’s fighting a fisherman. Yet, when I reach the spot I see no one. Also, on that same log, as I pull up right to it, a brave turtle basks in the sun.
I approach the bridge, and although it takes from my plight to be one with nature, I do love the thunderous drone of cars passing overhead. I paddle for a while, my instincts tell me to go just a bit further, so I do. As I reach a bend, I discover two dear grazing the forest floor. My pictures really aren’t that great, it took me a while to pull the camera app up on my phone.