2025 Fall Trip Part 1 of 3

We decided it was time to take a road trip in Wisconsin. (We also had a little travel time in Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa.) We tried to allow lots of rest time. Ray is feeling better but had quite a setback recently with major surgery for melanoma cancer. The anesthesia really zapped his energy again and he is slowly improving.  
 

We headed north and spent the first night in Green Bay. Then we drove to the north end of Door County and ferried to Washington Island. We stayed near Schoolhouse Beach which has the small, rounded, and smooth limestone rocks instead of sand. 

a close up shot

 There were a number of cairns. 

The sunset at West Harbor on Washington Island.

 

We visited the Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm & Shop. The lavender was already harvested for the season - you might want to check their website to see lavender photos. We did enjoy their wildflowers and some lavender treats while we were there.

 

The Stavkirke (Church of Staves) was built based on drawings of one built in Borgund, Norway in 1150 AD.  

 

We hiked to Little Lake which is a lake on an island on a lake. 

A panoramic with Green Bay (Lake Michigan) on the left
and Little Lake on the right and the hiking path in the middle.

Green Bay (Lake Michigan)

Little Lake

We were able to visit Sievers School of Fiber Arts. I’ve always thought it would be fun to take a quilting class there. 

 

Lunch outside (it was 55 degrees) at Jackson Harbor Soup was wonderful. 

View from our table

Overful cup of chili, hot bread, and pie. Delicious!

 

On another day we had hamburgers outside at the Albatross Drive-In. No pictures, but we'd recommend them also!

After a couple days, we ferried back to the mainland and stayed in Ellison Bay. Our rental was in the woods and we loved it. It might be my favorite Airbnb. Behind the kitchen and stairs is a bedroom and bathroom. Upstaiirs is a loft with two double beds, a couch, and a desk.

Ray is facing the TV and fireplace

Fireplace was used nightly

The fireplace is just to the left in the picture below. This is half of the room which was similar to a porch with all of the windows. The other half was a dining room.

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A closer view of what became my favorite spot. I spent some enjoyable time stitching there.

This 'perfect' flower was outside our cabin. Ray thought maybe we should stay and see how long it lasted. If the cabin hadn't been rented, it would have been tempting.

Coming next:

Part 2 - our time in Door County on the mainland and more

Part 3 - quilt shops