Door County (Green Bay side) and Washington Island

Preparing to set in at Peninsula State Park. Some islands in the background that I pondered going to, but instead went around the whole peninsula.

A lighthouse along the shoreline.

About to come around the bend.

Looking at the shoreline from water level. Gotta love a waterproof camera.

Someone had some spare time during a hike to create a nice stone sculpture.

The view of the rocks in the water was pretty amazing. The shoreline constantly changed depth at a moments notice.

Approaching some bluffs now.

You got me…

Proof!

Dropping into the suggested Not Yet Licked. Basically a Michael’s with a fishier, cherrier menu that’s about $2-$3 more for everything. $6.50 for a shake?

While driving farther north, I realized the next town up, Ephraim, was actually where I paddled to from the previous town. Both of the cliffs out there are the pictures from before.

Taking the passenger-only ferry to Washington Island. If you could see the full size image, the sign on the seat says it has a maximum capacity of 75 passengers. The sign on the seat under the windows says 66 life preservers. Someone’s not going to make it on a full load.

The best damn accidental discovery of the whole unplanned trip. The official crop of wheat for Capital Brewery’s Island Wheat. That was a sight. Granted it was no different than any other wheat field, but to know that this wheat, that I’m touching (muahaha), is going to end up as a really good beer.

Some farmer decided to get a bit Irish in his fencing.

Of course, I had to stop at the post office. I talked to them (him) and it turns out they have only 1 carrier and 4 people total working there, although only 3 at the moment since they have no sub. I couldn’t figure out who the other 1 besides him and the carrier would be, but didn’t think to ask til after I left. 450 stops, 63 miles, all rural (obviously).

The ferry back across was quite a ride. Very windy, very wet. Most of the splashes like that would get caught in the wind and blown right into my face. I had a blast while everyone else scurried to the front. We’re about to overtake the car ferry in the foreground.

A last look at the shoreline. Some pretty amazing houses and docks there.

Wisconsin River/Mississippi River at Wyalusing

Dropping the car off at the finish on the Mississippi, before riding my bike way too far to the wrong start.

Finally in the Wisconsin River. Only 12 miles to go until the Mississippi.

I almost ran aground right here because for the most part, there were no sand bars anywhere. They were all about 6″ underwater from the floods still. I did see this one coming but hit the edge of it for quite a while. So while trying to get around, but not hit the massive amounts of debris just to the right, I finally took a second to notice that I was mere yards away from a bald eagle. Never in my life have I been that close. That bird is huge. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a very good picture.

Those damn hills. Up and down those is pretty much the bike ride out of Wyalusing State Park. Remember… 1111′ elevation at the top. 630′ at the river.

A little closer to one of the hills.

Coming up to the railroad crossing.

Back in the canoe trail on the Mississippi prior to heading into the landing. An example of a downed tree blocking off a possible route to get lost within.

Coming out of the trail/river and into the lake. Really still water made for a good reflection.

An awesome sunset on the drive back to Madison.

Of course, the trip wasn’t without a whole lot of murder, but those damn things deserved it. I wish I had taken a shot, but a church up near Chilton had on its front billboard, “Why didn’t Noah just kill those two Mosquitoes”. I laughed good at that.