There is a church that Jason wanted to see over on Washington Island which you have to get to by ferry that we wanted to check out today.
The first ferry was leaving at 7:30 this morning and it was a 20 minute drive from our hotel so we were up and checked out of our room by 7 am.
We popped into the lobby area of the hotel to get a coffee and ended up talking to the lady there for a bit.
She was very friendly and told us about a few other must see things on Washington Island.
It was really misty out this morning so hard to see the lake but it also had a sort of stark beauty to it.
We made it to the ferry just in the nick of time, we were the last car to board and they left as soon as parked.
It cost us just over 60 bucks for the return trip.
We headed up to the top seating area - it was so misty that you couldn't really see anything but it was still nice to be up there and feel the breeze.
It was already nice and warm out so it was shaping up to be quite a nice day.
The ferry we were on was called the Madonna.
It felt good to be up and at 'em so early in the morning with a whole day full of adventures to look forward to.
Plus, I just love being on a boat, I find the motion of it so soothing and calming to that was a wonderful way to start the day.
Flags every where.
I like it that that Americans are so patriotic.
Jason taking some video for his year end compilation.
That's our vehicle down there with the black top - we were the last one on so we'll be the last one off.
Sure sign we are getting close to land.
So we went down by the car just to be ready.
Starting to be able to see the shore.
Definitely looks like a lake side community.
The other ferry was getting ready to depart I think.
We made it to Washington Island and it's not even 8 am yet.
For sure the water is a big part of the people that live here.
What a great canoe.
Some neat buildings but not much was open yet.
They had these flags all along the street.
We did find a coffee spot
It was open!
Wis-Co
It was a very downhome kind of spot and you can see that they are Packers fans.
Interesting ceiling.
There were a bunch of local folks hanging out there just having coffee and chatting - it was nice.
We each got an egg breakfast bun.
They were good.
Then we shared a homemade apple pie.
Then we were off to find the church that Jason wanted to see.
There were so many beautiful homes along the way.
This one just happened to be across the street from the church we were there to see.
Stavkirke
We followed a nice little path to get to it.
Random things along the path.
Isn't it nice in here?
Good advice - worrying doesn't help anything.
This church was modeled after the Borgund Stave Church which is located in Norway.
It was created to reflect the Scandinavian heritage of Washington Island
The specialized architecture of the Stavkirke emerges out of the construction of Viking ships. With the large "stavs" or masts, the ribs of the rafters, the shipbuilding techniques of tongue and grove joinery, and dragon heads at the "prows" of the gabled roofs, the wooden structure breathes and lives like a Viking ship.
Just another shot of it.
Jason got this great shot of the church with the sun shining over the top of the roof there.
It was open so that you can go inside.
There were amazing carvings.
Beautiful wood inside.
Very amazing woodwork.
The altar.
There was a guest book.
Someone left a gift.
I made sure to sign it.
I liked the metal work too.
Moi.
I love how the shingles on the roof look.
There was a prayer path.
Also, a labyrinth - so we checked that out.
Not what I was expecting but we walked it.
It was like a corn maze but much easier.
A great way to get a bunch of steps in a small area.
Of course Jason sniffed out a berry.
We discovered on the way out that there was this nice boardwalk that we could have taken straight in but the path we took was enjoyable.
Next we headed over to School House Beach which was one of the places that the hotel clerk told us about this morning.
There were plaques with information on the beach but they were faded so they were hard to read.
Basically, Schoolhouse Beach is one of only five beaches in the world that has smooth, limestone pebbles shaped by thousands of years of geological processes.
The rocks are perfect for rock skipping which in hind sight we should have tried.
Taking stones from the beach is again the law and you can get a stiff fine for doing it.
It has crystal clear water perfect for swimming or snorkeling and you can see to the bottom of the lake.
It was still misty so you couldn't see far
You can see how clear the water is.
The rocks were white and super smooth.
It was stunning.
The fog was starting to burn off.
My Honey.
The blue sky against the white rocks was gorgeous plus we were the only ones there for most of the time.
There was a man and two women that we'd seen at the Stav Church that showed up here too so we acknowledged each other, said hi.
There's a good chance we will run into them again at some point today.
I had thought about asking them where they were going next but didn't.
Now the fog was really burning off and we could see around the lake.
The sun was out in full force now.
Foggy morning.
The sun is starting to burn off the fog.
Schoolhouse beach.
Just a reminder.
When I took the picture of the sign, I noticed this spider web on it that had water droplets sparkling on it and it looked so pretty.
Then I noticed that they were everywhere in the trees and the way the sun was shining on them and making them sparkle was so nice.
It made sense because I was seeing spiders running all over the rocks on the beach.
I wanted to take pictures of all of them.
I mean - gorgeous!
They were EVERY WHERE.
This might not be a good place for a person that doesn't like spiders.
The fog was completely burned off now so you could see everything.
I took a walk out into the water just to see how it was.
A little chilly but it didn't take long to get used to it.
It would be a lovely place to swim but you for sure would need to wear some water shoes.
There is no way I would ever be able to walk on this beach barefoot.
We have been seeing so many nice barns on this trip.
We were just driving around taking in the scenery and saw some neat things.
Like this pig on a post.
A mini log cabin mailbox.
A little golf cart store.
It had a large assortment of jams and pickles and things for sale.
This chicken mailbox was super cute.
We passed by this house and for some reason, I just loved the look of it.
It was hard to get a picture of it because there were a bunch of trees in the way but I tried.
We ended up passing this building that looked similar to the Stav Church we saw this morning which really interested Jason so we stopped so that he could take some pictures.
The next place we stopped at was a Lavender farm, Fragrant Isle.
It was in a big old red barn.
When we parked, the man and two ladies we'd seen twice already today pulled in beside us.
We all laughed and I said to them that I'd considered asking them where they were going next, they told us that they'd stopped at the Watch Tower.
We hadn't even heard of that before but figured we'd make that our next stop.
We popped into the gift shop first, they had a little bakery in there.
This plant pot reminded me of something that Crystal would like.
These figurines were nice.
I like how the dresses are made out of leaves.
There were lots of lavender themed items for purchase.
This journal was beautiful - the image on the front was lovely and it had old, thick handmade paper.
We loved it but it was also pricey - like $58 so out of our range for sure.
There were a couple other versions of it like this fairy one.
A dragonfly glass.
I liked this.
This figurine was so cute.
A bee bag.
Buddha cup.
I ended up buying a lemon lavender cookie, a lavender bonbon and an ice cream.
After the gift shop, we went to the back to check out the lavender.
I really liked the plant pots in the windows.
Lots of flowers everywhere.
Some lavender farm rules.
This is the back of the barn.
I like how they painted the little shack purple.
The lavender - I think it has finished blooming for the year.
A little gazebo out in the field.
I am not sure if this is lavender or not - maybe.
There was a little lavender maze.
This little coach planter was cute.
It was super hot out and muggy too.
You could buy eggs next door - I liked their sign.
So long lavender farm.
We headed to the Watch Tower next, it was back the way we'd come so we passed by the building that looked like the Stav Church and Jason wanted to stop again and take a few more pictures from the side.
On the top, those are goat heads sticking out on either side.
We found Mountain Park Lookout Tower.
We'd passed right by it earlier but we just didn't know it was there.
Mountain Park Steps.
There were A LOT of steps - they were very sturdy!
I like the moss or lichen or whatever that was growing kind of on the walls and the trees.
I made it to the top, panting a bit but I did it.
There's the tower - more steps to climb.
Made it halfway to the top!
We made it to the top.
The view from the top.
Not a bad view.
Messages on the tower.
I like that the messages were positive and not crude like you see on bathroom walls sometimes.
Well that's sweet!
Going back down was much easier.
This tree looked like it had arms sticking out from it.
We stopped by the mini Stav Church for a third time for more pictures.
We stopped in at a Mercantile - they had lots of little figures all over the place.
Good photo op.
Giant rooster.
More characters.
I like this little lady.
I like his white boots.
I picked out a christmas tree ornament as a souvenir then we thought we'd head over to the ferry.
It left every 30 minutes on the hour and the half hour.
It was11:25 and the ferry was 7 minutes away so we didn't think we were going to make it but we figured we'd just get in line and wait and be the first ones on the next crossing.
When we got there though, they waved us right on.
We were the last ones on again and the ferry was leaving before we even got out of the car.
We headed back up to the top deck again and just took in the view.
I loved it over there - I am so glad we decided to go.
We were on the Madonna again.
My Honey.
Last ones on again!
Back in the car - we tried out the lemon lavender scone - it was just ok.
A little too much lavender flavor for me.
Nice old barn.
We stopped in to take a picture.
Turned out it was a little gift shop.
I just love window boxes full of flowers.
They had these dish cloths with Autumn pictures that were so adorable.
A ghost in a field.
Some spooky buildings.
They were stiff and you wet them and use them then they dry up stiff again.
We ended up buying the scarecrow one - I don't think I'll use it though, my plan is to frame it.
I love the label on this.
Some magnets.
We did get a couple caramels - they were divine.
They had orange cake with cream cheese frosting and it had orange zest in it and I am a citrus girl so I got a slice for us to share.
It was moist and zesty and had a really great orange flavor - I loved it.
Our next destination was a park in Wauwatosa near Milwaukee that is home to a Thomas Dambo troll.
I follow him on Instagram and he makes these giant trolls out of recycled materials.
I've always wanted to see one in person so when I discovered there was one in Wisconsin, I just had to go see it.
On the way, we saw a sign for Ellison Bluff lookout so we took a detour in to check it out.
More stairs.
Then you could walk out to this other section where Jason is standing and it looks out over the edge.
We are pretty high up here.
The water looks so clear, even from up here.
My hunky honey.
Moi.
You can see a glimpse of the white cliffs there - they look nice.
Ellison Bluff look out.
Back on the road, we came across a Farm Market so you know we checked it out too.
They were getting ready for Halloween.
I love these jack-o-lanterns.
They are working on a play area for the kiddos.
It's like a cave made out of hay and a little slide.
I wish I could have a set up like this at home for Halloween.
It looks so good but we usually have snow by Halloween so a set up like this wouldn't really work.
More pumpkins.
The play area for the kids.
I always want to buy a bunch of stuff that I see but taking picture of it all so that I can remember it kind of fulfils that craving for me.
So we were taking picture of everything.
They had these nice witches hats.
They had them in several colors.
A few more.
I think Halloween decor is so much fun.
They had this Fred of the Dead which is kind of like an Elf on the Shelf.
Except this one you take out with you on trips and stuff and just take pictures with it.
We did buy an apple cider doughnut - it was good.
Our next stop was Sister Bay.
It was another gorgeous spot.
There is a famous restaurant here with grass roofs and there are goats that roam around up there.
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant.
It is super busy and hard to get into but we didn't want to eat anyway, we just wanted to see it.
We didn't see any of them up there today unfortunately.
There were some carvings.
They were cool.
There was a whole outdoor seating area.
Quite the complex.
This building was a gift shop.
Another carving.
Not sure if they were hiring workers or goats.
Creamer.
Butterfly heart ornament.
They had these teeny plants made out of paper - they were so cute.
You could buy a kit to make them.
I saw these big metal goats on lots of yards in the area.
A plant pot.
Gingerbread tree topper.
These cherries were made out of paper.
I love the colors of the sails on this boat.
That would be a nice place to live.
There was a little beach area.
We took a walk out on the long dock then when we got back to the beach, I went for a quick walk in the water.
If I had my bathing suit on, I would have jumped right in for a swim.
Lots of boats.
Another nice old truck.
I really like the color.
The had these bushes made into gnomes which was a great idea.
That was our last stop before carrying on to Osh Kosh.
We headed straight to the hotel to check in.
We walked in and we saw the clerk at the counter and she saw us but went to the back.
We waited and waited but she never came back.
So we rang the bell a few time and waited.
We could hear voices, the woman and a man, but nobody came.
Other people were starting to come in and we were getting annoyed and frustrated.
This girl that came in said she worked there (she was off today) and she went in the back to see if she could find anyone.
Apparently the clerk had a seizure or something, she was laying on the floor in the back and a guy was back there with her.
A fire truck and an ambulance showed up so we just left.
There were outlet shops next door so we walked around there.
We figured we'd just let things get sorted at the hotel then we'd come back later to check in.
There was a Spirit of Halloween so we checked it out and they had some things that we didn't see back home.
I wish we had nicer weather for the fall so we could decorate the outside all up.
We could have these creepy things all over the yard - that would be so fun.
This guy was animated and at the end, his bottom jaw and eyeball falls out.
I don't get the whole Freddy thing - it does look cool though.
The crypt keeper.
I like the Coraline costume - I would have got it for Freya if I thought she would wear it.
Jason got a couple new tops.
I love the color of this one.
We went back to the hotel and got checked in then we found a spot to go have some supper.
This place had a steak salad that sounded so appealing to me so that's where we went.
They have the big giant plant pots here in Osh Kosh too.
And nice old buildings.
I like the old grate.
Beautiful building.
An old cinema playing old movies.
Made it to Gardina's.
It felt a little fancy when we went in and we thought we might be under dressed but it was fine.
Jason liked the floor.
Just another view of the restaurant.
Jason got parsnip curry soup and it was so delicious that I ordered a bowl for myself.
Then Jason got shrimp scampi.
I got my steak chimichurri salad.
We got the Ube Cheesecake for desert.
Afterwards, I drove back to the hotel and Jason went for a run.
He was going to check out the trails but there weren't any long enough so he just ended up driving back to the hotel.
I would have went for a walk myself but I had blogging to do, that's why I wanted to get back to the hotel.
He saw some nice things on the way.
Old clock lamp post.
Lights along the water.
On a wall.
Old truck.
Old sign.
Jason liked the old signs.
When Jason got back, we went for a swim in the hotel pool, they had a nice pool area.
There was a shallow pool for the little kids.
There was this airplane slide.
It was a long full day and when we went to bed, I was tired.
Got all my steps in.
That's all for today, until next time, be happy!
