As much fun as we have with the oddities and rarities found on our Lake Michigan Circle Tour, there is no doubt that the natural views and majestic lighthouses on Lake Michigan are breathtaking.
Lake Michigan is home to 44 remaining lighthouses, and, lucky for ShelleyJean and I, we weather was with us on most of our visits.
First stop in Wisconsin was this beauty in Racine. Here we scored a geocache, an adventure lab, beautiful views, and pretty rocks for our collection.
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| Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine GC3Q58D |
Typical for us, we spied the Adventure Lab stop at Wind Point, so then we had to complete the rest of the lab in Racine. This took us to the Christopher Columbus Causeway. Racine has a pretty little marina and multiple harbor lights.
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| Christopher Columbus Causeway GC4CRP9 |
The next to cross our paths is the North Point Lighthouse. It's in Milwaukee, but it's up on a hill. You can't spot it unless you were looking for it.
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| North Point Lighthouse - GC5VT5R |
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| North Point Lighthouse - Northern Milwaukee |
South Milwaukee has lighthouses and adventure labs, too. That sun was intense this day!
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| Milwaukee Harborlights |
I know I've already shared the Milwaukee Riverwalk, but you have to appreciate it's beauty, too. There were walking paths on each side of the river, local art, spots to stop and take photos, and historical markers. Something draws us to the water...
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| Milwaukee Riverwalk |
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| Milwaukee Riverwalk |
When we left Milwaukee, we headed north to Port Washington and the Lessons in Modern Cartography Webcam GCH51C. Lo! This little island in the marina were home to many native birds including these little fellahs munching away at the flowers. He looks like he's posing, doesn't he?
The funny thing is I must've taken 50 pictures of this little ray of sunshine and his friends, but it was the first one that came out the best.
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| American Goldfinch - Port Washington |
When people ask, "What's in Door County?", the most crooked road always comes up!
Take Highway 42 between Gill's Rock and Northport to experience this unnatural wonder. This road curves 15 times in a one-mile stretch! Tradition has it this road was designed this way from a "desire to avoid cutting down too many trees." [AtlasObscura.com]
I cannot even imagine the traffic backup during the Fall change of colors. I bet there are so many photographing tourists you can't even see the twisty road!
Further up the shore, outside of Oconto, is this neat new Virtual literally out in the middle of nowhere. Well, actually, it's the Bay of Green Bay.
I cannot even imagine the traffic backup during the Fall change of colors. I bet there are so many photographing tourists you can't even see the twisty road!
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| Crooked Road - Door County GC7P78J |
Further up the shore, outside of Oconto, is this neat new Virtual literally out in the middle of nowhere. Well, actually, it's the Bay of Green Bay.
Ever curious, SJ drove out there in the middle of a storm. So cool and you can see just how deep and powerful the water is from here.
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| End of the Road Virtual GCAJFZV |
Next up along the shore is Michigan and the Sand Point Lighthouse. Sweet little spot with wildflowers and sandy beaches.
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| Sand Point Lighthouse Virtual GC9P63N |
If you show any Michigander a picture of this road, they will recognize the underappreciated yet scenic view of US-2.
Stretching over 300 miles from St. Ignace to Ironwood, US-2 is one of the most popular thoroughfares in the U.P. The route cuts a path through more than a half dozen counties across the heart of the U.P., past waterfalls, pasty shops (like Three Seasons Cafe in Manistique), and small towns. [source]Note for SJ - this is a great idea for a future road trip! We can go visit the giant Stormie Kromer hat and the World's Biggest Calumet virtual!
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| US-2 Michigan's Upper Peninsula |
And that leads us to the aforementioned St. Ignace. The less said about our hotel the better, but the view outside my balcony was stunning!
The last (and rainy) day of our trip brought us to the Seney Wildlife Refuge....
As the rain continued and the sky grew darker, it was time to pass over this amazing structure and head for home.
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| View outside my hotel in St Ignace |
The last (and rainy) day of our trip brought us to the Seney Wildlife Refuge....
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| Marshland Wildlife Virtual GCK2EC |
Seney has been on our list for years, and today we enjoyed the 6-mile drive through the refuge. We saw deer, swans, loons, kingfishers, blue herons, king birds, blue jays, orioles, pied-eyed grebes, sandhill cranes, and a beaver.
And, finally, Lake Superior. Yes, why are we visiting Lake Superior on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour? Because we can!
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| The Gales of November Virtual GC9P6B2 |
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| Ceder Waxwing. "What?" |
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| Whitefish Point Lighthouse GC9P6PE |
As the rain continued and the sky grew darker, it was time to pass over this amazing structure and head for home.
1,700 miles in 5 days visiting the Western side of Lake Michigan with my fabulous geo-partner, ShelleyJean.
One more special post tomorrow.
