Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Roadside America

The thing about traveling with SJ is the weirder the better. Nothing like a good, old-fashioned "Roadside America" road trip, and I'll tell you - this trip didn't disappoint!

Note: You will see a lot of Virtuals in this post, but there are no spoiler answers disclosed.

Illinois

The goal on this trip was to scoot past Chicago and get right into Wisconsin. But, left to my own devices in the passenger seat, I became just a bit curious over this Virtual along the highway. Yep! It's a pyramid! Actually, it was multiple pyramids (on an island, no less), plus a giant Ramses, dozens of smaller sphinxes, and a giant gold wall (blocking trespassers - this is private property).

Onan's Pyramid Virtual GC9P6BA

Wisconsin

Wisconsin starts with a "W" - so does "Wildly Weird".  

Take the Mary Nohl site. She was an accomplished artist who wanted to be surrounded by her art. And she did. Every inch of the exterior. It's worth the trip just for the view next door, too!

The Witch's House Virtual GC9EF4

If you are heading out of town to see the Mary Nohl house, you will most likely pass Kopp's. Home of the giant burger, krinkly fries, handmade shakes, and 20 cows out back!

Black and White Cows Virtual GC891H2

And, just a little further down the road....

WSQ His Last Trip Virtual GC75A3

This isn't even a virtual. It's someone's front yard!

HEEYYYY!!! You never know who you see along the Riverwalk!

Near the Letters Carried to the Fonz cache
GC1FGFC

Stop by to visit with Gertie the Duck and her ducklings on the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge. Now, there's a story there...

This one, to me, is not an oddity, but a rarity. We almost missed it because it's in the center of Marquette University's campus, but we double backed later to find metered parking. So glad we did!

According to the cache page: 

Originally named "The Chapelle de St. Martin de Saysuel", and built about 1420, during St. Joan's lifetime, it was located in the little French village of Chasse. The chapel was first moved to the Long Island, New York and later moved to its present location.

According to AtlasObscura.com, there are "artifacts in the chapel that date as far back as before the Black Death. The chapel is the oldest building in Wisconsin."

The Joan of Arc Chapel Virtual GC9EED

Not too far down the street (and a few blocks over from our hotel) is the Ladybug Building! This is an art installation by the city of Milwaukee, and each bug is 10 feet long!

So far, all the Wisconsin stops have been within miles of downtown Milwaukee, but the fun doesn't stop there as you head North out of town 

Port Washington

The Pebble House in Port Washington is a visitor center. The house is built in 1848 by the Dodge Family from stones from the shores of Lake Michigan. 

Now, who's going to tell the Wisconsinians that they are spelling "Sheboygan" wrong? They do, however, have 4 fascinating monoliths outside their public library that's worth a stop. I can't show more without giving the Virtual away!

Cache of Ages Virtual GC1A0E

Alas! If I have but one regret of this trip.... we didn't stop at the Kohler (as in "toilets") Arts Center for that virtual. But we did continue down the street to Deland Park to walk inside the Lottie Cooper shipwreck!

Again, don't want to give too much away, but there was this thing that happened in Manitowoc.

We crossed the 45th Parallel twice! We know it because we finally located the stone markers hidden in the roadside parks on each side of the Door County Peninsula. Sad to say - I prefer Michigan's signs.

Alright, why am I standing next to a building with goat cut-outs attached? Did you notice the grass on the roof? It's for the goats. The live goats. They feed up there around 9am each morning. Not sure if they're out? Check the Goat Cams!

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - Sister's Bay

We didn't get to see the goats, but we did see a dragon just down the road.

SJ asked, "What's in Green Bay?" Apparently one of Football's greatest fan bases! These people are fanatics, and it was so much fun getting caught up in their excitement even on a non-game day!

Lambeau Field Virtual GC7BA21

I hate to end this post on a sad note, but as you head up the coast of Wisconsin into Michigan you will see the remnants (monuments and 2 mass graves) of the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. It's America's deadliest wildfire - burning down the town of Peshtigo and killing up to 2,500 people. Many have never heard of it because it occurred the same day as a more famous incident, the Great Chicago Fire (with its wide property damage and 300 lives lost).

Near the Northwoods Catastrophy Virtual GC79E4

So, why no Michigan in this post? Simply because my favorite stop, near Germfask, Michigan, deserves a post of it's own.