What a great few days in Bayfield, WI! We feel fully rested, have our laundry caught up (thanks Susie and Melissa!), made a few good, home cooked meals, and saw lots of interesting things here in the gateway to the Apostle Islands. Once we got our accommodations nailed down during a very busy time of the year (thanks again Susie!), we were off to explore the sights.
Played golf at the Apostle Islands Golf Course, -- what a nice treat! Lovely course in the hills with views that stretched for miles. Scored pretty well for the first time.
The town itself has wonderful shops -- no trash and trinket stuff here -- nice artwork, interesting clothes, antiques, etc. Spent a cloudy afternoon exploring everything we could.
Signed up for a 1/2 sailboat trip through the Islands, and got to the dock at the appointed hour, only to find there had been an overbooking problem. The gentleman who had more people show up than he had booked (not the boat owner--a salesman entertaining clients), was very apologetic and asked if we could possibly go the next day. We, of course, not having anything else to do, said sure. He then offered to pay for our trip ($90) if we would do that. That made it even more enticing!--but we still felt badly that he would pay. The next morning, he was right there with the check for our captain. We told the captain, Paul (Animaashi Sailing), that we felt badly letting him do that. Paul said, don't worry, he can certainly afford it -- he is Hubert Humphries son, Doug!
The sailing trip was breathtaking and the weather better than the previous day when we were supposed to go! Had lots of wind (15-20 MPH), and we were clipping along at 6.5 to 7 knots -- a couple times I thought we were going in, it was heeled over so much! (Eric - it was a 34' Irwin - 1983). The Islands are mostly uninhabited, except for Madeline Island, which isn't really one of the Apostles, anyway -- most people just think it is!
The real unexpected treat, however, was Big Top Chautauqua (sha-TOK-wa). They have entertainment all summer - under the Big Top. Mason Williams was going to be there, but we had seen him in Portland, so we opted for the fiddler, Natalie McMaster. OH MY GOD! She was FABULOUS!! From Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, she has it all. A great fiddling talent (does mostly Irish, Scottish tunes-Kristen, you would have gone crazy!), beautiful, witty, entertaining (you should see her jig while she plays!) -- the BEST concert I have ever seen - bar none. If you ever get a chance to see her -- mark it down -- RUN to get the tickets! I'm not a particular fan of that type of music, but the whole show was magnificent! She played, danced, sang, talked, and gyrated for 2 1/2 hours -- she must have been falling down tired -- then signed CD's for fans afterward.
A great "timeout" in a wonderful town, but it is time to move on. Green Bay, and Lambeau Field beckons. Phil is like a little kid, he is so excited just to see this icon. No home games coming up, so we have to be satisfied with a tour, and a look at the Packers Hall of Fame.
It is everything Phil had hoped for - saw the field, heard the history, sat in the Press box and Skyboxes, toured the well done Hall of Fame, and, of course, visited the "Pro Shop" for a souvenir! Even went to Bart Starr's Steakhouse for dinner - yum!
Some Lambeau Field facts: Seats about 60,000 - not a bad seat in the house, - they are voting to do a 20,000 seat expansion - hotly contested in this town. The City owns the stadium. The team is owned by a large group of investors. The tickets have been sold out (season tickets only are available) since 1963. The waiting list is 50,000+. At the current rate of attrition, it will take 400 YEARS to clear the current list! People put their children on the list the day they are born! Tickets are put into divorce settlements and wills on a regular basis. Talk about fanatics!
Just when you think you've seen the absolute cutest place ever -- you find something even more quaint. Door County is all it's reputation claims. Surrounded by Green Bay on one side and Lake Michigan on the other, this still mostly rural area oozes charm and class. The Lake Michigan side (Hwy 57) is the more laid back side. Less developed, fewer resorts, but lovely sand beaches, makes for a relaxing time to just explore around. The Green Bay side (Hwy 42) is the more upscale cousin. Around every bend is another town that is cuter than the last. Everything from fabulous art galleries to funky shops, from quaint cabins to upscale resorts, from Hamburger joints to the finest cuisine, from Cherry Orchards to Cherry Pie, from bicycles to paddle boats -- these 40+ miles of beachfront locale has something for everyone. When was the last time you saw clothes hanging neatly on the clothesline, or saw a Drive-In movie theater that is still operational, and is well maintained? -- what a refreshing view of life.
If we had to pick our favorites - it would be Bailey's Harbor on the east side, and Fish Creek on the Green Bay side. We have been here 4 days now, and can't seem to leave. We have absolutely "oinked" our way through this area. There is so much to try. Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant with the goats on the grass roof is a must for Swedish Pancakes with Lignonberries served, not with bacon, but Swedish meatballs - a definite YUM! And, of course, you have to have a traditional Door Country Fish Boil -- complete with the cooking ritual, topped off with home made Cherry Pie - a not to be missed experience - we chose the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek - they really do a terrific job. And then there is a traditional Supper Club for the Lake Michigan Whitefish. The Florian Supper Club in Bailey's Harbor was our choice and did not disappoint. Lovely view of the Lake, great food, a fun staff, and entertainment to boot. We danced our legs off, then crawled to our motel right next door. A cute, moderately priced ($89), squeaky clean spot called the Inn at Bailey's Harbor. Right on the Lake, private beach, lawn with lounge chairs just beckoning you to idle away the day -- and we did. Took in one of Door Counties many golf courses - Maxwelton Braes (great name!) just south of Bailey's Harbor. Lovely, old style course in nice shape.
Naturally, we also had to wander through a few of the shops along the way -- you could spend a full week just doing that. Sister Bay, Ephreim, Fish Creek, and Egg Harbor offer the most choices -- each one unique, and each one with tantalizing choices. We could have spent many $$ here, but mostly refrained... so far.
