Washington Island, located 6 miles off the tip of the Door County Peninsula, is a favorite Midwest destination for tourists year-round. Its public beaches (School House Beach, Percy Johnson Park, Sand Dunes Park, The Ridges, Rock Island State Park) and the Island’s interior rural spaces are a treat for the tourist’s eye. Other Island attractions include the Mountain Tower, Jacobsen’s Museum, the Washington Island Farm Museum, or historic Jackson Harbor. Another short ferry ride to Rock Island and visitors can experience Thordarson’s Viking Hall Boat House and a couple of mile hike to the restored Rock Island Light House.
People come to Washington Island to get away from the tension of urban life, to travel “North of the Tension Line” and enjoy a slower, relaxing pace of life. The Island is well known for its tranquility, and the gentle sounds of waves lapping on the shores soothe those who come from the noise and bustle of mainland life. Northern Lights dance on the dark evening sky, with the Milky Way being very visible on most nights. Separated from the mainland peninsula by “Death’s Door,” the Island is accessible by the Washington Island Ferry Line’s car and passenger ferries, by the Island Clipper passenger ferry, by plane, or by private craft.
22 square mile Washington Island is surrounded by four smaller islands; Rock Island (a State Park), Detroit Island, Pilot Island, and Plum Island. Sheer limestone bluffs rise up along the western shores of the Island. Smooth sand beaches are set along its eastern and southern shores, while northern shores have smooth stone beaches. Prehistoric glaciers left the Island with a diverse topography which continues below the surface of the water. This is a boon for the many fishermen who find their catch of salmon, trout and small-mouth bass in the Island waters.
Washington Island is unique destination and the ferry crossing helps the visitor to be more aware of this. It is difficult to express the attraction this community has for its many visitors, because it has always been for me more about what isn’t here than what is. The Island is an excellent place for people to relax, enjoy nature, refocus their energies, while having many choices for entertainment and activities throughout the year. In June we enjoy ferries to the Island on the hour throughout the day with extra trips Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Via: http://www.washingtonisland.com/
Via: www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/goats_on_a_hot.php
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Via: www.lakebreeze.org/dcvisit.htm
At Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, the roof is covered with grass. All summer long the goats have a ball up there grazing away wondering why people are staring up at them! Quite a few people were stopping to photograph and watch the goats. The goats just sit up and there and graze nonchalantly!
Via: www.lakebreeze.org/dcvisit.htm
