Menominee, MI and Door County, WI

A collage of beauty and color from sites in Menoninee, MI and Door County, WI.

(Click on any collage to see more detail)

Historic Fayette, Michigan

Fayette, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula is the farthest north we have gone our our boat. It was a wonderful jewel and a safe haven for boaters. Fall colors were just starting to show and the apples were ripe on the trees. The accommodations are rustic and first come, first serve. There is only space for 7-8 boats with no running water or electricity available. You walk a couple of blocks up the hill to use the restrooms at the visitors center of the State Park...no showers. We walked a mile through the forest to get to the only available restaurant, only to find out they don't take debit or credit cards. So, we had to eat only what we had cash enough to pay. Always an adventure!

"Fayette was once a bustling industrial community that manufactured charcoal pig iron between 1867 and 1891. Fayette offers visitors the unmatched serenity of a Lake Michigan harbor, white cliffs, and verdant forests. This well preserved museum village recalls another time when it was a noisy, dirty company town with an immigrant population that shared daily hardships, joys and sorrows." That's how the brochure describes the Fayette Historic State Park. There are 20 historic buildings including the furnace complex, town hall, historic luxury hotel (in business into the 1940's), company office, workers' homes, and the spacious superintendent's home.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the walking tour and museum exhibits. The next morning I hiked 5-6 miles around the state park enjoying the scenic overlooks, the lush forest, the ruins of the old St. Peter's Church and Cemetery, and the old school site. It was wonderful.

Baileys Harbor in Door County

Baileys Harbor was our last stop on the trip north. It is on the eastern shore of beautiful Door County. The Yacht Club where we stayed is a couple of miles from town on a pretty Rustic Road. To get around and to have dinner, we used bikes. I explored the area, riding 6-8 miles and hiking 4-5 miles. Great fun on a pretty afternoon.

Lighthouses Along Wisconsin Shores

Andy and I just got back from our trip north on the White Iris. The weather was fantastic and we are grateful. Unfortunately we did not actually SAIL much at all...most of the trip we had to use the motor. It was great fun in any case with no engine trouble or high seas.

We are getting to know the "signs" along the way north and around Door County...the lighthouses, cans and nuns along the shore, in the harbors, and on the islands. They guide us and warn us...we welcome their help and their beauty.

Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Rawley's Point, Sturgeon Bay, Menominee (MI), Chambers Island, Washington Island, Fayette(MI), Plum Island, Pilot Island, Bailey's Harbor, Cana Island.

Hundreds of ships lay in the depths of Lake Michigan...they have stories of their own to tell. We are happy to have made it safely home, even through Death's Door at the north end of Door County.

Come sail with us!

Early Morning Bike Ride

I have been doing a lot of biking this summer. Saturday morning I woke up early and decided to take a ride. I really love the trails up in the area where we sail the White Iris. The first six miles was on the Mariner's Trail from Manitowoc to Two Rivers. It's all right on the shore of Lake Michigan and just beautiful. There are several wonderful gardens planted and maintained by gardners from the area. The shoreline is accessable from several rest stops along the way where travelers relax and enjoy a picnic. Many wildflowers and berry bushes crowd along the path and of course there are lots of sea gulls. Historical Markers let you know what's out there and where the sunken ships lie beneath the water. In Two Rivers I hit the streets for a couple of miles, passing the Washington House where ice cream Sundaes were created back in 1881 and then riding along the beaches north of Two Rivers. Right past the kids park I catch the Rawley Point Recreactional Trail which winds along one of Wisconsin's Rustic Roads and then several miles through the forest. This trail is also about 6 miles long and ends up in the Point Beach State Park. There I stop and wander along the beach and enjoy Rawley's Point Lighthouse before heading south again. I linger on the beach at the Two Rivers Pier Light and then head back to Manitowoc to visit the Lighthouse and Pier Light there. The Badger pulls into the harbor after it's four hour trip across the pond from Ludington, MI. I probably went 25-28 miles on my ride...a great way to start the day.

Up the Mast

Early in the season Andy had some work to do on the top of the mast ~ which meant a trip up on a bosun's chair. Two friends from the dock helped rig the chair and get him started, but to get up to the top, you hoist yourself. Our mast is about 40 feet tall so this was no small feat...and as it turned out, he ended up going up and down twice that morning. What a guy!

On the Pond

Last weekend Anne and Bill Barber were in the area camping so we went our for dinner Friday night and they joined us on the water on Sunday. It was a pretty day, tho not much wind. We enjoyed catching up and eating lunch.

A friend who has the slip just across from ours offered to take some pictures of the White Iris under sail. So, here she is!