wisconsin Archives

Apostle Islands and Madeline Island

March 8, 2026December 5, 2022 by Nikki

Collage of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Madeline Island in Wisconsin showing a shoreline waterfall, Sand Island Lighthouse, sandstone cliffs, and a tour boat on Lake Superior.

Apostle Islands and Madeline Island Trip

A few years ago, my husband and I took a trip to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Madeline Island in northern Wisconsin. We boarded the first ferry of the day from Bayfield and crossed Lake Superior to Madeline Island.

After arriving, we spent part of the morning exploring the island before renting a boat for the afternoon. From there, we followed the shoreline of the Apostle Islands and passed lighthouses, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and sea caves.

Lake Superior was calm that day, which made the trip even more memorable. Because conditions were so good, we were able to safely reach areas that are not always easy to see by private boat.

January Phenology

March 2, 2026January 25, 2022 by Nikki

Well, Happy New Year! Hope you are settling into your new year. January 2022 – It’s cold! But, did we expect anything less from the Wisconsin winter? Welcome to the phenology posts. The posts will be a running listing of what you can expect to see with our plant life and animals over the year … Read more

Rock Island Wisconsin

March 11, 2026July 1, 2021 by Nikki

Potawatomi Lighthouse on Rock Island in Door County Wisconsin at sunset

Rock Island is a 912-acre Wisconsin state park in Door County that takes two ferry rides to reach. The first ferry leaves Gills Rock for Washington Island. The second leaves Washington Island and takes visitors to Rock Island, where you’ll find hiking trails, shoreline views, a historic boathouse, primitive camping, and Wisconsin’s oldest lighthouse station. … Read more

McClintock Park – Marinette County

March 9, 2026April 30, 2021 by Nikki

Wooden footbridge over the Peshtigo River at McClintock Park in Marinette County Wisconsin

McClintock Park is a scenic county park along the Peshtigo River in Marinette County, Wisconsin. This quiet stop is known for its series of wooden footbridges crossing rapids, forested river views, trout fishing, and primitive campsites.

If you enjoy short nature walks, rushing water, and peaceful woodland scenery, McClintock Park is worth a visit. The walk is not long, but the bridges, rapids, mossy rocks, and mixed forest make it a memorable stop in northeastern Wisconsin.

Historic Washington House Two Rivers, WI

March 9, 2026June 22, 2019 by Nikki

Ice cream sundae served at the historic Washington House ice cream parlor in Two Rivers Wisconsin

The Washington House Museum and Ice Cream Parlor in Two Rivers, Wisconsin is a charming historic stop where visitors can enjoy a scoop of Cedar Crest ice cream while exploring a small museum filled with local antiques and artifacts. Located in Manitowoc County near the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Washington House offers a unique blend of Wisconsin history, nostalgia, and small-town charm.

Kewaunee Wisconsin Lighthouse and Harbor

March 9, 2026February 28, 2019 by Nikki

Kewaunee Wisconsin lighthouse covered in winter ice along the Lake Michigan shoreline

Kewaunee Lighthouse on Lake Michigan in Kewaunee, Wisconsin

The Kewaunee Lighthouse and harbor area make a beautiful stop along the Lake Michigan shoreline in eastern Wisconsin. In winter, this stretch of shoreline is especially interesting for icy harbor views, winter birds, ducks, and the chance to spot bald eagles along the water.

We usually make a couple of trips each winter to Kewaunee to check the ice conditions, look for wildlife, and walk out for a closer view of the lighthouse and harbor. It is one of those places that can look completely different from one visit to the next depending on wind, waves, and temperature.

Baileys Harbor Birdcage Lighthouse

March 17, 2026February 17, 2019 by Nikki

Birdcage Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor Door County Wisconsin seen across a winter field.

This winter view along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, offers a glimpse of the island where the Baileys Harbor Bird Cage Lighthouse stands. From this stretch of shoreline, you can see the island from a distance and enjoy the icy waters and quiet beauty of Door County in winter.

Lake of the Falls, Mercier Wisconsin

March 9, 2026October 3, 2018 by Nikki

Lake of the Falls County Park along the Turtle River near Mercer Wisconsin

Lake of the Falls County Park is located along the Turtle River near Mercer in Iron County, Wisconsin. The park sits between Lake of the Falls and the Turtle Flambeau Flowage, making it a scenic stop for fishing, camping, and exploring the river’s rocky shoreline.

Ephraim Wisconsin Wetlands Preserve

March 9, 2026August 2, 2018 by Nikki

Entrance sign for Ephraim Wetlands Preserve in Door County Wisconsin

Ephraim Wetlands Preserve in Door County, Wisconsin Ephraim Wetlands Preserve is a small nature preserve in Ephraim, Wisconsin with a short and easy walking loop through cedar woods, wetland habitat, and seasonal wildflowers. While the walk itself is brief, this quiet preserve is especially worth visiting for its butterflies, migrating birds, frogs, and changing blooms … Read more

Frog Bay Tribal National Park Bayfield Wisconsin

March 9, 2026June 15, 2018 by Nikki

Forest trail at Frog Bay Tribal National Park in Red Cliff Wisconsin

Frog Bay Tribal National Park near Red Cliff in Bayfield County, Wisconsin is the first tribal national park in the United States. Owned and managed by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, this protected Lake Superior property is known for its boreal forest, mossy trails, woodland plants, and quiet shoreline views.

Snowshoeing in Neshota Park Denmark Wisconsin

March 10, 2026January 28, 2018 by Nikki

Snow-covered trail for snowshoeing at Neshota Park near Denmark Wisconsin.

Snowshoeing at Neshota Park near Denmark, Wisconsin is a peaceful way to experience winter in Brown County. The park is beautiful in every season, but in winter the snowy woods, quiet trails, and open spaces make it an especially inviting place to slow down and explore.

Neshota Park is one of the better places in Brown County to get outside in winter, whether you enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, or simply taking in the stillness of the season. On a good snow day, the park feels calm, bright, and full of small natural details that are easy to miss the rest of the year.

The Last Covered Bridge in Wisconsin

March 14, 2026January 22, 2018 by Nikki

Last Covered Bridge lin Cedarburg Wisconsin

The Last Covered Bridge In Wisconsin Wisconsin once had over 40 covered bridges. The last covered bridge in Wisconsin is located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. That is just an amazing fact to me. General Info General: Nestled along the roadside in Covered Bridge Park is a piece of history you can walk through. The pure history … Read more

Copper Culture State Park

March 9, 2026October 20, 2017 by Nikki

Copper Culture State Park in Oconto, Wisconsin is a small but historically important state park along the Oconto River. The 42-acre park includes a short trail system, picnic areas, river views, and the Copper Culture Museum, which interprets one of Wisconsin’s most significant archaeological sites.

Sugar Creek in Southern Door County

March 9, 2026August 14, 2017 by Nikki

Sugar Creek flowing beneath a wooden footbridge at Sugar Creek County Park near Brussels in southern Door County, Wisconsin with spring wildflowers including forget-me-nots and wild geranium.

Sugar Creek flows quietly through the countryside of southern Door County near the small community of Brussels, Wisconsin. Surrounded by farmland, wetlands, and wooded areas, the creek provides a peaceful place to explore nature and observe wildlife throughout the seasons.

After heavy rain, the creek runs clear and lively over its rocky bed, creating small cascades and reflections that are especially interesting for photography. The surrounding wetlands and shoreline habitats also support a variety of birds and native plants.

Parrish Highlands ATV Trail in Langlade County

March 9, 2026August 9, 2017 by Nikki

Trail sign along the Parrish Highlands ATV UTV trail system in Langlade County Wisconsin

The Parrish Highlands ATV/UTV Trail system in Langlade County, Wisconsin is one of the larger riding areas in the region, offering scenic forest roads, rolling glacial terrain, wetlands, and miles of Northwoods riding. Riders can explore about 50 miles of trail within the Parrish Highlands area, with connections to neighboring county trail systems.

Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in Mountain Wisconsin

March 9, 2026June 7, 2017 by Nikki

Mountain Fire Lookout Tower near Mountain, Wisconsin is one of the most unique historic stops in Oconto County. Located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, this 100-foot fire tower has 132 steps and offers wide views over the surrounding Northwoods. Built in 1935 by the U.S. Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Mountain Fire … Read more

Grassy Island Lighthouse Range Green Bay

March 10, 2026June 2, 2017 by Nikki

Grassy Island Range Lights lighthouse towers in Green Bay Wisconsin at sunset along the Fox River entrance

The Grassy Island Range Lights in Green Bay, Wisconsin are a scenic shoreline stop where you can watch freighters, enjoy soft sunset light over the water, and sometimes spot bald eagles in winter. Although the lighthouse grounds themselves are closed to the public, the nearby shoreline and Metro boat launch make this an easy place to stop and take in the view.

This is one of those quieter Green Bay spots that feels different depending on the season. Some days it is all about pastel skies and reflections on the water. Other days it is the movement of ships or the chance of seeing eagles gathered over open water in winter.

ATV and UTV Trails In Oconto County

March 9, 2026May 27, 2017 by Nikki

Wooden bridge along the Oconto County ATV and UTV trail system in Wisconsin

The ATV and UTV trail system in Oconto County, Wisconsin is one of the largest and most versatile riding networks in the state. With more than 450 miles of trails and routes, riders can travel through forest roads, small towns, scenic stretches of the Northwoods, and a number of places worth stopping along the way.

If you want a trail system that offers more than just riding from one mud hole to the next, Oconto County is a fun place to explore. Depending on where you go, you can mix trail riding with scenic overlooks, river crossings, small-town stops, seasonal events, and a few memorable side trips.

Washington Island Wisconsin

March 10, 2026April 1, 2017 by Nikki

Stavkirke Church on Washington Island in Door County Wisconsin surrounded by trees

Washington Island is about 7 miles off the tip of Door County, Wisconsin, and feels like a world of its own. Reached by ferry across Death’s Door from Northport Pier in Ellison Bay, the island is known for its slower pace, scenic shoreline, Scandinavian heritage, quiet roads, and memorable places to explore.

Wequiock Falls Green Bay

March 10, 2026March 25, 2017 by Nikki

Wequiock Falls County Park waterfall in Green Bay Wisconsin flowing over limestone ledge

Wequiock Falls County Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin is a small roadside park that features a scenic 25-foot waterfall cascading over a limestone cliff. Located in Brown County along Bay Settlement Road, it makes a perfect quick stop when traveling between Green Bay and Door County.