Copper Harbor, MI to Bailey’s Harbor, Wi, then on to New Baltimore, MI (northeast of Detroit)
Leaving Copper Harbor, we next travelled down to Arbor Vitae, in the North Woods of Wisconsin. We then travelled east to Bailey’s Harbor, up through the Hiawatha forest to the top of Michigan’s mitt, crossing from the Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula via the Mackinaw Bridge. After a brief stay in Mackinaw City, we moved down to New Baltimore, just North East of Detroit.
Soap ‘n Suds Laundromat, Woodruff, WI – Who says chores can’t have side benefits? We found a coin laundry that is tied to an ice cream shop. This should catch on. Soap ‘N Suds in Woodruff, WI. The ice cream has 14% butterfat and is made from real Wisconsin cream.
Little Bohemia Lodge, Manitowash Waters, WI – The setting of a botched raid by the FBI against the Dillinger Gang in 1934. The ensuing gun battle left two dead and four severely wounded, the toll including civilians. Some scenes for the movie Public Enemies were also filmed on location at the Little Bohemia. Little Bohemia Lodge, Manitowash Waters, WI – The historic lodge remains as it was at the time of the raid, along with memorabilia and bullet holes. Cana Island Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor, WI – Standing watch since 1869, it is still used as an active navigational aid by the US Coast Guard. Cana Island Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor, WI – Due to high lake levels, the causeway to Cana Island is flooded. Door County offers a complimentary tractor and haywagon ride to shuttle you over. With the right footwear, we could have also walked. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, Sister Bay, WI – A fantastic Swedish breakfast, complete with pancakes and meatballs. The grass roof is maintained by goats, sadly no goats were out today.
Washington Island, WI – After eating too many meatballs, at the tip of the Door County peninsula, we took the ferry across to Washington Island.
Stavkirke, Washington Island, WI – The Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church built a replica stavkirke, modeled after the Borgund Stave Church built in 1150. The volunteer led construction began in 1983 and completed in 1995. It was created to celebrate the Scandinavian heritage of the island, using old construction techniques.
Schoolhouse Beach, Washington Island, WI – A beautiful pebble beach created from glacier-polished limestone rocks. It was amazing how smooth these pebbles were.
Schoolhouse Beach, Washington Island, WI – It is illegal to remove rocks from the beach. Souvenir hunters carried too many away. However, people still enjoy building cairns and sculptures with the rocks.
Nelson’s Hall Bitters Club, Washington Island, WI – The longest operating tavern in Wisconsin, this hall remained open during Prohibition, as the owner applied for, and received, a pharmacists license. And thus he was able to dispense medicinal alcoholic bitters.The Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City, MI – The “Mighty Mac” bridge connects the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan. With a total length of 5 miles, this bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in North America. At the time we crossed it, there was a high wind warning. We stayed in the outside lane and crawled with the trucks at a maximum of 20 mph.Ford Rouge Factory, Dearborn, MI – This factory has a tour, a museum and large historic village. The Ford Factory’s Living Roof is planted with 10.4 acres of the groundcover sedum, one of the largest living roofs in the world. The plants collect and filter storm water runoff and help insulate the factory.Ford Rouge Factory, Dearborn, MI – The Legacy Gallery displays the most famous Ford vehicles made at the factory. This 1932 Ford V8 was the first V8 design.The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI – This is the second car to have travelled across the United States, traveling from San Francisco to New York in 6 days. Tor and I travel in considerably better comfort!The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI – This 1961 Lincoln is the car in which President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas in 1963. The hardtop was added by the Secret Service after the assassination to protect future presidents and remained in use until 1977.Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI – Company officials designated this car as the Fifteen Millionth and ceremonial “last” Model T.Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI – Henry Ford was born in this farmhouse on July 30, 1863. He restored the farmhouse in 1919 and moved it to Greenfield Village in 1944. We ran out of time to explore the Greenfield Village. It’s an 80+ acre outdoor living history village with over 100 historical buildings. Given that we only had 45 minutes to explore before closing time, we decided to save it for a different trip.
