Door County Wisconsin

We're camped in Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin.

This is a small town in Door County, the peninsula that extends from Green Bay north-east into Lake Michigan.

I heard of Door County about 10 years ago, and it's just as beautiful as reported.

Driving up from Milwaukee I couldn't have been more impressed. The farms along the interstate were impossibly immaculate and well-kept. The cows were fat and glossy. No wonder the cheese up here rocks!

Just a short distance north of the city I noticed the entrance ramps had gates, another testament to the winters here. I began looking for trees planted as wind breaks around homes, and there they were; so tall and full I hadn't recognized them for what they were. This is a beautiful area with rolling hills; dark green and covered with spruce and fir.

The wild flowers are everywhere. I hope someone can name this wild flower for me. It looks a little like a Lady's Slipper Orchid.

Door County is famous for it's lilacs.

We're lucky to be here in a year with a late spring so we didn't miss them.

In some places the lilacs are almost like hedges , 12 to 15 feet tall.

The cherry orchards are numerous here too, but we are too late for the cherry blossoms.

Lake Michigan from Bailey's Harbour.

We drove to the tip of the peninsula today, stopping at a Maritime museum.

That's an anchor, and I mean the one behind me.

Northport is the last town on the road north

but you can take the ferry to Washington Island.

The island has a population of some 700 people in the winter and 3000 in the summer.

One of the year-round residents tells me it doesn't get that cold in the winter, but the
Ferry has to make two trips a day or the passage freezes.

Riiiiight.

Not all light houses are picturesque.

The waters here are referred to as Death's Door, but the origin of the name isn't clear.

Many ships wrecked here in the 1800's, but the name was in use before then.

It's possible the French gave the area a bad rep to keep the English out.

Didn't work.