This year's Door County trip should have been called "The Crazy Weather Camping Trip!" Nick and I went up to Bailey's Harbor on Thursday. The weather was overcast and dreary but the leaves were a nice golden color. It was good to get the bus out and camp in it even if the weather was not as good as it should have been. Sure is nice to have a heater in the bus to keep us toasty! Thursday we spent the afternoon visiting Nick's favorite bar, AC Tap. We also went looking for a load of fire wood to help keep the other folks who were suppose to show up, warm. 

The search for wood didn't pan out and we decided we would try again on Friday, besides we had brought enough wood from home for that night. That afternoon, Jesse showed up. Later Steve M. came in with his Vanagon. Friday morning we went for breakfast and then headed north to the tip of Door County to catch the ferry to Washington Island. We took the Brown Hornet (79 Westy) across on the Robert Noble Ferry. It was about a 30 minute ride. We were able to drive our vehicle on ourselves and could stay in the vehicle or get out to walk around the ferry. 

Washington Island had their Fall Festival the week prior so a lot of things were closed for the season this weekend. The great thing about this is that there weren't a lot of people there and we had fun driving around the island. We visited a couple museums and climbed to the top of the lookout tower. Nick even made it to the top! We ended with a drink at Nelson's Hall. This is the local bar that has been the social gathering place for many years. At one time it had a movie theater in it. I have even heard that there was a bowling alley in the basement at one time, too. My neighbor use to live on the Island when he was a boy and told me quite a bit of history on it. Small world. 

Our ferry ride back was cramped to say the least. There was a big moving van and a huge SUV towing a long camper. The guys helping load the ferry said it was a good thing we were taking the ferry today as the weathermen predicted 6 to 8 foot waves the next day. That afternoon on our way back to the campground, we found a guy who was selling firewood cheaper than others around Bailey's Harbor so we loaded up the bus with as many bundles as we could. That night we had a nice fire going when the other folks started rolling in. Kevin and Chela (sorry about the spelling), rolled into the campground that afternoon. Chris W. and his girlfriend showed up later that night. 

We had a nice campfire, but it did start to sprinkle. We put a tarp up and sat around the campfire. It rained most of the night. Saturday morning was a little chilly and windy. When we arrived at Sister Bay, we were greeted with terrible winds coming off of the bay. LIke true die hards, we parked the buses in the show and went to St. Rosalia's Church for the Kiwanis Club's Pancake Breakfast. We ate and then wandered Main street visiting the booths and shops until parade time. Just as the parade got under way it started to sprinkle, later turning to rain, and finally after the parade turning to a downpour of sleet. You couldn't help but laugh and say to yourself, some Fall Festival. 

We went back to our firewood guy and bought more wood for the cold night that we knew was ahead of us. We took a nice cruise to Fish Creek and then back to Bailey's Harbor. Ended up in the Blue Ox Bar in Bailey's Harbor for supper and cocktails. No rain that night but the wind was whipping around pretty good. We were somewhat protected in the campground as we were in the back part with lots of trees for cover. We put the tarp on one side to block the wind so it wasn't so bad. A guy from Illinois showed up with his bus. He was up visiting some friends in the campground and had seen our buses. Earlier that day he had been at the Lion's Club Car Show in Sister Bay, too. 

Sunday, we went to breakfast at the Florian restaurant where the views of the lake can't be beat. Their breakfast buffet is pretty good, too. Of course, Sunday was the best weather day of the weekend. We actually got to see the sun! After breakfast, we all went our separate ways. Nick and I were heading straight home. A few went to the Door County Winery. All in all it was a good weekend. Nick and I had fun. Nick says he is ready for Deer camp now. We have camped in worse weather. Next year the weatherman has promised good weather!

BACK TO 2004 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BACK TO ARCHIVES PAGE

Copyright 2004/Northern Wisconsin Volkswagen Page