Fall Color Pictures – Traveling around Door County, Wisconsin
During our fall color trip to Door County, Wisconsin we encountered some cool and overcast days but still managed to see most of the county and get some decent fall color pictures. Some of these you can see in our other Door County articles on visiting Door County villages, Hiking at Whitefish Dunes and golfing some of Door County’s top golf courses.
Driving along Bay Shore Drive between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor
Continuing along the Green Bay side of Door County we encountered some nice color in and around the picturesque village of Ephraim, Wisconsin
Continuing along the Green Bay side until the tip at Hedgehog Harbor
Over on the “quiet side” of Door County near Whitefish Dunes State Park
A couple of neat barn quilts along Door County’s rural roads
Our visit to Door County was in the second week of October. Peak color would have been the following week. However, the trade-off could be even cooler weather than we encountered so we were happy with our choice ot timing of our trip.
Here’s a Google Map showing some of the locations we visited during our fall scenic travel tour of Door County
Hiking Whitefish Dunes Park, Door County, Wisconsin
On the second day (October 8th) of our fall color trip to Door County we decided to explore the eastern side of the peninsula, called the quiet side since it has fewer resorts and fewer tourist attractions. One popular spot, however, is Whitefish Dunes State Park. Several hiking trails, an extensive sand beach (great for swimming in the summer time), picnic areas, nine hiking trails, and a nature center. Whitefish is a day use area so there are no camping facilities.
We decided to hike the Red Trail out to the Old Baldy observation tower located on the highest of the dunes that line the lakeshore in the park. The loop provides a variety of terrain running near the lake shore on the way out and then behind the dunes on the way back to the nature center. The 2.8 mile hike was just the right amount of exercise. We packed in a lunch which we enjoyed in the enclosed shelter near the nature center. Although a sunny day, the temps were in the 50s and the wind was roaring more than 25 mph so finding the enclosed shelter was a welcome discovery.
On our way back to our lodging in Sturgeon Bay, we stopped at Mike’s Port Pub & Grill for dinner. We found Mike’s by Googling places to eat in Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor. The four reviews were quite positive recommending Mike’s for their great food, excellent friendly and competent service, and decent prices. So we decided to give Mike’s a try.
We were not disappointed. Family run and true home cooking. Our service came right off the grill. My walleye sandwich was so hot I almost had to let it cool before biting into it. Moist, lightly breaded, one of the best fish sandwiches in my memory. Dan was equally enthusiastic over his steak sandwich and Donna’s shrimp was done just right skewed on sticks. Jo gave her burger 5 stars. By the time our dinner was over, the place was full . . . testimony to its reputation.
Tomorrow rain is in the forecast. We plan to visit the Maritime Museum and other attractions in Sturgeon Bay.
In September Jo and I spent some time in Red Wing. Earlier we had spent some time in Duluth to attend the Duluth KIA Drag Races & Car Show. On the way home we decided to spend two days in Red Wing, Minnesota – one of our favorite river towns along the Upper Mississippi River Great River Road. We found a great RV Park at the Treasure Island Resort and Casino. Very clean, well staffed, and full services for a decent price. It is a bit of hike from downtown Red Wing but the Casino has a shuttle service should you not want to drive back and forth.
I had been wanting to play the Highlands Course at Red Wing’s Mississippi National Golf Club for the last few years but never seemed to get the chance. I talked my brother-in-law Dan joined me for the golf outing. His wife Donna came along to do some shopping and exploring of Red Wing with Jo. There were also a few restaurants that we’d heard good comments about that we wanted to try. During an earlier Red Wing visit to enjoy their Holiday Stroll Celebration we sampled the fare at Liberty’s Restaurant, one of the areas popular dining spots, so this trip we wanted to try the Brickhouse Pub & Grille which is another top-rated Red Wing restaurant. And we’d heard great things about Hanisch Bakery & Coffee Shop so that was on our itinerary as well. To follow are our reviews.
The older gentleman in the pro shop gave us a friendly welcome and helped us with some tips on playing the course. The fall senior rate was decent – $30 for green fee and cart. The carts were electric which I prefer, especially when navigating dramatic elevation changes as the Highlands Course offers.
This was the first of several unique holes on the course, many of them quite scenic as the photos illustrate. Mississippi National has two 18 hole courses – Highlands, which we played and as the name suggests is high on a bluff overlooking the Hiawatha Valley, and the Tournament Course, which is predominately in the valley below the bluff.
A few of the Highlands holes are in the valley so part way through the round you come off the bluff down to the valley and then back up to the bluff again. This involved quite a long cart ride between holes and at times we wondered if we were lost! My main complaints about the course were the dry tee boxes that resisted sinking my special tees to its shoulder and the sand bunkers were quite hard packed as well. Also, once you got off the edge of the fairways, the grass was somewhat sparse. We’ve had an exceptionally warm and dry summer and I suppose this high bluff location has suffered from this kind of weather. But on the positive side, the Highlands course is quite scenic and has a number of interesting and challenging holes. It is a fun round of golf for a fair price, a decent value. Next time I’d like to try the Tournament Course to see how its character compares to the Highlands.
Brickhouse Pub & Grille – Dining Review
The pub has a neat outside deck overlooking a lush garden but it was a little too cool to eat outside so we found a comfortable booth indoors. One review we read liked the food but complained about the service. That was not our experience. We had excellent, very attentive service. We ordered sandwich platters, burgers and reubens. Huge portions served on homemade bread from the Hanisch Bakery. Hot, juicy, and very tasty. They come with kettle chips, waffle fries, or hash brown cakes. We had fries and hash brown cakes. Both were excellent. The dinner salad had a nice variety of greens and vegetables and an adequate sized portion. Coffee was served in large soup sized cups. Overall assessment. A decent price and a very decent meal. Three of the four of us took half our sandwich home. Two days later from the fridge my cold reuben still tasted good! After sampling the Brickhouse I can see why it was voted “Restaurant of the Year” the last two years running.
Hanisch Bakery & Coffee Shop – Dining Review
You walk in the shop to confront hundreds of temptations in the form of pies, cookies, donuts, muffins, specialty breads, cakes, danish rolls, etc. begging to be eaten. But we were there for breakfast so we turned right past the bakery into the coffee shop area – two cozy rooms outfitted with tables and booths. Between the two rooms is the coffee counter with about 8 – 10 styles of coffee available in carafes that have their decanting time noted on each, a detail important to me since I like my coffee “hot.”
Your coffee and breakfast is ordered deli-style across a counter behind which is the grill and kitchen. A good deal of Hanisch business is carry out so the deli style works nicely for either eating inside or taking it with you. You place and pay for your order, get your coffee cup, and find a table. The staff brings you your order when it is ready.
Service was prompt and the food was hot – and delicious. We all had the breakfast sandwiches (bacon, sausage, or ham & eggs) served on thick sliced homemade bread. It was delicious. The sandwiches also came with a nice portion of cut fruit. We topped off our breakfast with some tasty muffins from the bakery. Warning to breakfast goers. Don’t expect the usual café selections. There are only six items on the breakfast menu: breakfast sandwiches or wraps, a quiche, french toast, toasted bagel, or a fruit and cottage cheese plate. Naturally you can have hundreds of pastries and baked goods but forget two eggs over easy with hash browns and bacon or blueberry banana pancakes; you ain’t gonna find it here.
But what they do offer is done to perfection and the price is decent. You get artisan food at small town café prices in a cozy small town friendly atmosphere. Next time I think I’ll try their Ham and Veggie Quiche, served with toast and fruit. Advertised as a “Man’s Meal” we’ll see if I am up to the challenge! By the way I note that the lunch menu is a bit more generous in terms of the number of choices – – – sandwiches, soups, salads, and hot dishes.
Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin Fall Events The big event in the Duluth-Superior Twin Ports area at the end of August is the Lake Superior Dragonboat Race The race is held in a protected bay on the south side of Barkers Island. The island is the site of the festival part of the race. Yes, more music, entertainment, … Read more
A Cultural Icon: The History of the Mississippi River Steamboat Imogen Reed, guest contributor Upper Mississippi River Festivals celebrating the Steamboat era Winona, MN Steamboat Days Wabasha, MN Riverboat Days Red Wing, MN River City Days Nobody questions the majestic quality of America’s greatest river. Madam Mississippi is a commanding force, travelling over 3,500 km … Read more
See more articles on the Great River Road In mid-June Jo and I took our niece’s kids on a scenic drive on the Illinois and Iowa section of the Mississippi Great River Road from Galena, Illinois down to the Illinois/Iowa Quad Cities area. Upper Mississippi River Visitor Center We’ve wanted to go to the Mississippi … Read more
Effigy Mounds – McGregor, Iowa Officially called Effigy Mounds National Monument, Effigy Mounds is located in the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River a few miles north of Marquette and McGregor, Iowa. Visiting the park is a great opportunity to get some healthful exercise, enjoy a nature walk through a mature northern hardwood forest, experience some … Read more
Winter ending, golfing begins March 11 temperature forecast Madison, Wisconsin: High 62 degrees. The Meadows golf course in Waunakee and the Golf Bowl in Mount Horeb opened for play yesterday. Ordinarily I’d be making my tee time at one of these courses but my bags are packed as we leave tomorrow for Hot Springs. After … Read more
Michigan’s Premier Sled Dog Marathon – UP200 Jo and I had plans to see this dog sled race, having seen and found fun similar races in Bayfield (Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race) and along the Minnesota North Shore (John Beargrease Marathon). We arrived in Munising a day before the race to do some snowshoeing in … Read more
Things to see and do in Thunder Bay In this post: Fall Color, Golfing, Dining, and visiting Fort William During our recent Minnesota North Shore Color Tour, we decided to extend our travels to run up as far north as Thunder Bay, Ontario. The color was not as striking as what we found along Minnesota’s … Read more
What’s Happening in Duluth and along the North Shore in the fall Duluth September Events The Duluth-North Shore fall season begins the second weekend of September with Duluth’s annual LakeWalk Festival. See more about Duluth’s Lakewalk here. Later that month the annual Oktoberfest will be held in Duluth’s Bayfront Park. German Beer & Food, Oktoberfest … Read more
Scenic Fall Color Drives from Marquette to Sault Saint Marie, Michigan
During the last week in September, 2010 Jo and I toured the central UP to investigate first hand the fall foliage and color changes. Our trip began on September 20th and lasted through the 28th. (See Days 1 & 2 Reports Here) The table below gives you links to various portions of our trip so you can see what we found and notes of interest.
In many cases we were a little early for the best color but did find some nice fall color scenery at Tahquamenon Falls and around Marquette. Yet even the areas where color was just beginning to change were worthwhile visiting. The waterfalls were spectacular. We love the nice crisp fall air, no bugs, and less competition for motels, campsites, and various attractions and things to see and do. A vigorous fall hike doesn’t get you all sweated up like summertime!
Visiting the Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium – Dubuque, Iowa It’s been a few years since Jo and I last visited the Dubuque Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. At that time we felt that the attraction was one of the best values of its kind, entertaining and educational, with stuff for all ages. Last summer the … Read more
Winona Steamboat Days – US Title Series Powerboat Races- 2011 On the way home from St. Paul where Jo attended the Minnesota Quilters annual show, we stopped by Winona, Minnesota to catch part of their annual Steamboat Days Festival. In particular I was interested in their powerboat races, one of many events going on that … Read more
February 12, 2011 LaCrosse, Wisconsin Great River Road Scenic Byway To break up the winter Jo and I took a drive up to La Crosse, Wisconsin to catch their Boat and Outdoor Show. We also wanted to visit with our friends Burt and Brenda Zwicker of Wabakimi Wilderness Adventures, who had a booth at the … Read more