The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary is a delicate boreal forest community on the shores of Lake Michigan.  The park was established in 1937 as the first Wisconsin land trust and protects the most biologically diverse ecosystem in the state.  The area is a series of low, sandy ridges (former shorelines from eons past), alternating with wet areas called swages.  The ridges are parallel to the shoreline and extend inland about a mile.  The cool breezes from Lake Michigan help sustain this boreal forest -- a more common ecosystem much further north.

The real gem of the Ridges are the vascular plants, particularly the wild orchids.  Hundreds of plants occur within the sanctuary -- and they bloom throughout spring and summer.  One walks the trails along the ridges and peers into the under brush seeking tiny flowers.

It was a real treat to walk through the park.

Very Special County Park

Flowers Ahead

Night Blooming Dwarf Lake Iris

Ram's Head Lady Slipper

Peninsula State Park, Door County, WI

Door County likens itself to the New England of Lake Michigan:  quaint towns, art galleries, rugged cliffs, lighthouses, fishing, and picturesque farmlands.  All that and more.

We decided to stay awhile here -- plenty of biking, hiking, and birding -- so we signed up for a week in an RV park.  Not our usual fare, but the State Parks are booked every weekend (not so during the week) and we wanted the ease of amenities an RV park offers.  So here we are at the door step of Peninsula State Park -- one of five state parks in the county.  It is a popular destination:  golf course, 800 campsites, boat and kayak rentals, and trails.  We rode through looking at the sites.

Amazing shape!

Spring after a long brutal winter.
Imagine 60 days straight below 0.  Who could do it?

Late spring has meant many blooming flowers at one time.  Fine by me.

Rocky shore.  And yes, that sky means rain is coming.  

One of several historic lighthouses in Door County.  Purple and white lilacs in bloom.

Can't pass a purple flower by....

Ahnapee State Trail

We spent a few quiet nights at Lake Winnebago.  I mean we live in a Winnebago; so we had to go see the Lake.  I suppose if you like fishing -- this could be your spot.  Especially in the winter when they actually plow roads on the lake so you can ice fish.  Like really?

But we rode a bike path up near Green Bay -- not very interesting and every historical sign talked about the blizzard of this year, the freezing temps of that year, the snow levels.  I was like:  duh!

Onwards we moved to Door County; the thumb of Wisconsin that juts into Lake Michigan.  The scenic county with miles of coves and inlets; lighthouses; and the reappearance of the Niagara Escarpment.  Which I didn't know was missing from anywhere west of those Falls until -- viola -- Door County.

Enroute we rode the Ahnapee State Trail.  Originally built to help move lumber south following the Chicago fire, it wandered through a diverse landscape of evergreen glades, farmland, prairies, and wooded areas; even along the river at times.  It was truly a fun ride.

We only saw other cyclists on the trail!  But in the winter!!!

Fun Sign -- river system drains to Lake Michigan.

Snippets of color

Everyone seems to have a hunting hut -- up on stilts (over the snow?)
This one had a stove on the wall and was painted white cedar trees on the side.  

Past, Present, and Future -- says it all

First time ever to have a trail sign to bug those horse riders.
The trail was clean -- so either they follow the rules or don't ride the trail.

Ride On

Lovely river flowing along the trail

This was a garage door in Algoma, WI.  Sign of the day for me.....

Dane County Farmers Market and more

Madison features the Dane County Farmers Market -- one of the longest running farmer only farmers markets in the US.  During the summer the market takes over the Capital's "concourse" and everyone wanders along looking at the booths:  veges, meats, baked goods, plants, and you name it!  It seemed a bit more authentic -- the Amish were selling fresh pies and not drinking Starbucks.  But no shoofly pie to be found!

We went -- even though it is early in the season and fresh asparagus, lettuce, and radishes were the popular vegetable offerings.  By lucky coincidence, Saturday's market featured the annual:  Cows on the Concourse!  The University of Wisconsin brought up a few cows and they took over the Concourse (public event space by the Capital building) and had everything you could need to have a Moo Expo.  It was really fun -- pet a cow, eat grilled cheese sandwiches, get Mooo-ving activities, games (swat the pictures of different cows.  Kid friendly.  And there were a ton of kids in strollers about the size of air craft carriers.  The strollers, not the kids.

From the Market to the arboretum.  Great stop!

Moo Expo Display!  I did have to pet the week old calf.  Hooked!

Taking Over!

One view of the Capital

Artisan bread with a view of the Capital

Arboretum scene -- just off the lake

Every place is fighting some pest!  Oh, the lovely trees

So many lovely colors & shapes

Say CHEESE!

Enough of watching a lazy river roll by; enough of swatting bugs; enough.  On to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin--truly America's Dairy Land.  There are cows everywhere but that also means dairy and that means artisan cheeses.  Like everywhere.

And there are bike trails and bikes everywhere.  Miles of rails to trail conversions; city bike thoroughfares (one in Madison features a 7 story bike elevator to get up a "cliff").

So we set up Bessie in a county park across the lake from Madison and rode our bikes and ate artisan cheese.  For a couple of days!

Too bad the winters in Wisconsin give real meaning to word FROZEN.

Badger State Bike path rolls south of Madison for miles -- farms, meadows, marshes.  

Free Range Cattle about to bust off the farm!

Barn Quilt

Even the boats go in Dairy mode....note the fun pink udder (I mean rudder)

How many sandhill cranes can you see?

Lunch stop.  One day on the trail there was a fun race:
teams of 12 were running round the clock from Madison, WI to Chicago, Il.  Yeah, a fun race.

Lovely stone work on barn