Sat, 7/10/10

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: Another warm, pristine day—the sky a crystalline blue. We drove over to the Cana Island lighthouse. You have to walk over a causeway to get to the island. The last time we did this the water was high and we schlepped over in ankle-deep water on slippery rocks. A pretty island with large, flat shoals all around. The keeper’s house now has some furnishings in it whereas before there was just an office. There are over 900 steps up the tower to the light. We opted not to. There are a couple of shipwrecks just off shore you can dive or snorkel on. The water is crystal clear up here—and quite cold. Drove back, stopping at Kangaroo Lake to check out this pretty little lake and then via Fish Creek to pick up my bike. Back home and relaxed for a while. Mike grilled up some steaks. We had a dinner of steaks, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable. Watched a couple of movies. Mid-80s today. Beautiful!

Cana Island Light--1860s

Cast Iron Stairway to the top of the tower

Fri, 7/9/10

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: A beautiful, balmy morning. Perfectly clear, blue skies. We transferred the bike carrier from the fifth wheel to the truck and then took my bike to a repair shop in Fish Creek. The gears aren’t working. Dropped that off and then drove through Peninsula State Park along the lake with beautiful views over the water of the Strawberry Islands and Horseshoe Island. Stopped at the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and then parked and hiked the Sentinel Trail. A pretty hike through a mixed conifer and hardwood forest. I was pretty sweaty when we finished the hike, and that mixed with the bug spray I slathered on made me feel pretty slimy. Back home and relaxed for a while before we cleaned up for dinner. Dined at the Gibraltar Grill in Fish Creek and then went to the Peninsula Players production of “Over the Tavern”. A comedy about a family of 6 living over the tavern that the father owns and the youngest son’s problems with one particular nun in the catholic school he attends and he resistance to being confirmed. A trip down memory lane for Mike who was brought up in catholic schools and remembers well the nuns and their rulers. This playhouse is in a beautiful garden on the lake shore and at intermission they have a huge bonfire going. Really nice.

Beautiful sailboat on the bay

Eagle Bluff Light--built in 1868

Back in the mid-1800s, being a lighthouse keeper was pretty good duty. In a time where most families lived in a one-room log cabin, these houses were usually made of brick and were a couple of stories high. And in this lighthouse the light itself was accessible from the house, so the keeper didn't have to go outside to light it.

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: Humid and threatening rain this morning. Drove into Sister Bay around 10:00 to get my hair cut. Met up with Mike after and we went to Al Johnson’s Swedish restaurant for lunch. We’ve never eaten there until today. It’s kind of touristy because they have a sod roof with goats on top. I had a Swedish meatball sandwich and a beet salad. Mike had corned beef with pickled beets. After that we drove over to Rowley’s Bay and checked out the availability. Some friends of ours are coming up and we’re hoping they’ll stay up here for a couple of days. Back home and sat outside reading for a while. Then watched three more episodes of The Sopranos. 80s today.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant with the goats on the sod roof

Wed, 7/7/10

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: Warm and humid this morning. Mike went over to the lounge with the computer and I drove into Sister Bay to see if I could get my hair cut. I had to make an appointment for tomorrow at 10:30. Got back and sat outside for a while until it started getting chilly. Took my book inside when it started raining. Later in the afternoon I took the computer over to the lounge and worked on my e-mail. Left-overs for dinner.

Eagle Bluff

Tue, 7/6/10

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: Rainy most of the day today. We hung out most of the day and watched movies. Had left-overs for dinner. Feel lousy—like I’m getting a sinus infection or something. Took something and went to bed.

Mon, 7/5/10

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: Rained all night last night—a steady light rain. Great sleeping. Sat outside under the awning in the drizzle for a while reading and watching the group next to us pack up to leave. Dusted and vacuumed and then took the computer over to the lounge to take care of e-mail and other things. I left Mike at the lounge for his turn with the computer and I went back to our site. I finished the J. A. Jance book I was reading so when Mike came back we drove into Sister Bay to the library to return that and I rented a DVD. Fueled up the truck, hit the grocery store to pick up some bananas and then headed back. Still raining off and on. So we watched Bowling for Columbine—a documentary by Michael Moore. It won numerous awards and of course was very good. After that we watched another segment of The War by Ken Burns. He is another great non-fiction filmmaker. I made chili for dinner.

Cairn at Cave Point

They paddle these boards either kneeling or standing

Sun, 7/4/10

Wagon Trail Resort, Ellison Bay, WI: Busy day today. We left for the 4th of July parade at Bailey’s Harbor and just barely made it for the 10:00 start. We had to park over a mile away and I had sandals on and ended up with a blister on my left foot and my right instep was bothering me from yesterday’s hike. I was like a cripple. The July 4th celebration at Bailey’s Harbor is a big deal. We had no idea it was going to be so big and attract so many people. I figured we could park on the main drag and walk maybe a couple of blocks. Not so. There were food booths and an art and craft fair and several musical groups. After the parade and we had our fill of food, Mike walked back to the truck and came and picked me up. I waited for him on the main street and enjoyed the great sounds of a flute group. Reminded me of a Peruvian group that played when we were in Steamboat Springs. Back home so I could bandage my foot and put on some sensible shoes and we headed for the Renaissance Fair in Carlsville, south of Egg Harbor. That was different. We watched some belly dancers and at 3:00 they had a joust. Everyone was in period costumes. The joust was fun. After that it was back home and relaxed until we left at 6:30 to have dinner at Bailey’s Harbor and then watch the fireworks. A busy day. And the little towns of Sister Bay, Ephraim, and Fish Creek were jammed with people. The little harbors and marinas were jammed with boats. Hopefully tomorrow a lot of people will be leaving. 85 today.