Sheboygan, WI,  July 14, 2012        

On our way to Sheboygan, we went through Johnsonville and yes -  it is the home of Johnsonville brats, etc.  Unfortunately, they did not give any tours or samples.

Sheboygan is on the shore of Lake Michigan and a nice little town.  We really enjoyed the views at the water. 

We found a great restaurant with gluten free bread and pizza.  Il Retrovo.  They use fresh ingredients and Tom enjoyed a special blend filling in fresh handmade ravioli.  This made for an enjoyable trip.

Door County, WI   July 15, 2012  

Sunday we set off on a drive.  It brought to mind days of when we were young and Dad would pile us all in the car for a Sunday Drive.  This was one of our "family things" and gas was cheap.  We would be gone for an hour to all day.

Door County is a finger of land into Lake Michigan.  It  is a popular tourist destination with quaint towns and scenic views.  One of the things they are famous for are their sweet red cherry crop and is the 4th largest producing area in the nation.  Unfortunately, with the weather in this past year, their production was only 10% of their normal.  There go the prices again!

Most people like to go spend some time in this area but we didn't want to take the coach there so we rode through in one day.  We heard a lot about their famous "Viking Fish Boils" and were looking forward to trying it.  Unfortunately they are only served at restaurants in the evening.  Some make quite a production of it.  Here is one recipe we found for home.

16 Chunks of Whitefish (2" Slices)

16 Small Red Potatoes (Ends Cut Off)

16 Small Onions (Peeled)

1/2 lb.  Salt

2 Gallons of Water

Add 1/4 lb. of salt to water and bring to a boil.  Add potatoes and boil for 12 minutes.  Add onions and boil for 4 minutes more.  Add fish and 1/4 lb. of salt.  Boil for 10 minutes and drain into Colander.  Serve with melted butter, lemon and coleslaw.

It all starts with a blazing bonfire under a kettle of salted water. People circle around to warm themselves and take in the crisp smell. When the temperature is just right and the crackle of the fire is just loud enough, the boil master adds a basket of potatoes and onions to the kettle. A few crackles later, the mild whitefish steaks, fresh from Lake Michigan, are delicately lowered in. At just the right moment, kerosene is tossed into the fire, exciting the blaze and causing the water to boil over, dramatically carrying off the fish oil that has collected on top. The fish are pulled out and greeted with a generous drizzling of butter.  This started as a way to feed lots of lumbermen and fishermen and became a tourist favorite.

Great winter spot too

Look at this license. How appropriate.

Because of the weather, there are numerous Wineries in Door Co. also. We tried to stop at as many as possible and sample their goods.  There was one we enjoyed the most, Simon Creek, and ended up with a supply to enjoy in the future.

For those who enjoy lighthouses, because of location, they have their share....

Wisconsin Dells     July  10, 2012   

The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, a glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River.  Because has numerous indoor waterparks and outdoor waterparks, proclaiming itself the "Waterpark Capital of the World".   It is home to the largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S., Noah's Ark; an indoor waterpark resort, Kalahari Resort; and America's largest water and theme park resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park.  The town sort of takes on a Branson type atmosphere.

We were fortunate to find a pizza restaurant that served gluten free crust so of course we had to give it a try.  It was very good.  All the toppings (sausage and vegetables) were all in large chunks.  It was Moosejaw.

As we were headed to the Dell boat for a trip up the river there was some excitement.  Four lanes of traffic was stopped for us in the crosswalk.  The Dells are kind of like being at the dam.  Not many lights though people do stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.  I scurried across the road so as to not hold up traffic.  Once I passed the last car I slowed down before stepping onto the curb.  I turned right and there was this young woman on a bike barreling into me.  Guess all this weight I gained held me in good stead.  She bounced off me like I was a tree and I didn’t go down but my head hit her face and my right wrist took the force of the impact from her handlebars.  I had tread marks down both legs but were just brushed by the tires.  The young lady was dazed and mouth was bleeding.  We were both in shock.  Of course, we both said “I’m fine”.  Hope she is.  Tried to get her to wait a minute but wouldn’t. She said her hand brake didn’t work as she was coming down the hill.  After impact, I immediately looked at my wrist because of the pain.  There was a knot about an inch high sticking out.  At first I thought it was a bone but guess it broke veins and just immediately gushed into skin.  I have a bruise on my hip, and my forearm is bruised and swollen.  Had my wrist and elbow x – rayed and they are ok but still VERY sore.  My shoulder and elbow are still a little sore from being jammed.  It could have been much worse.  The people on the sidewalk were so funny.  They all said they had never seen anything like it and that the girls didn’t even slow down.  They all looked shocked too.  We walked up the hill to Dairy Queen and got ice to put on wrist and kept it elevated the rest of day.  We were on our way to the boat to take the river cruise so we went ahead and got on the boat.  It was great and sights were beautiful.  Love hearing the history.  Would have like it better without the pain but still enjoyed it.  (I did get xrays later and nothing was broken)

Wedding Rock - Said that Indians were married there then jumped into the water together

Because of the scenery provided by the dells of the Wisconsin River, Kilbourn City quickly became a popular travel destination in the Midwest. In 1875, early landscape photographer H. H. Bennett (who has an interesting story of photography if you care to read about him) established a studio in the city and took many photos of the sandstone formations in the dells

Bennett developed the shutter concept on cameras.  Before that, only still photos could be taken. 

 This is his first successful action photo of his son jumping the huge rock formations

Several times a day, they have a German Shepherd make the jump for the tourist and the trick is to try to catch him

in mid air.

 This is a natural rock overhang - not a constructed platform

Koehler, WI      7-14-12          

The largest employer in Kohler is the Kohler Company, a worldwide leader in plumbing products; the village itself was created by the company as a planned community in 1912 as Kohler moved their operations from within the city of Sheboygan to then-rural land purchased by the company west of that city.

The American Club hotel was built in 1918 to house the Kohler Company's immigrant workers and now on the historic register.  The American Club is now a luxury spa and resort and golf resort.

The Kohler Company was founded in 1873 by Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler with the purchase of the Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry. Early products included cast iron and steel farm implements, castings for furniture factories, and ornamental iron pieces including cemetery crosses and settees. A breakthrough came in 1883 when John Michael applied enamel to a cast iron horse trough to create the company's first bathtub. The company has been primarily in the plumbing business ever since, known for plumbing fixtures. In 1888, the then Kohler Water Works developed the original trademarked Bubbler. They became popular, and other companies developed similar products under the generic term "drinking fountain." The colloquial word "bubbler" is still used in several regions of the United States. 

Kohler still makes traditional cast iron bathtubs, one of the few United States manufacturers to do so. Besides residential products, Kohler manufactures a commercial line of bathroom fixtures. The company also does artistic custom work, such as hand-painted sinks and toilets.  Kohler also makes a wide range of small industrial engines.

  Yes that's water streaming down in the center of tub

The oval box is actually a toilet  

 Tom liked this idea

What a fun beach children's bath

For you golfers --
Kohler Co. also has a Hospitality and Real Estate Group, which owns a golf resort in Kohler called The American Club. The American Club is the only AAA 5-Diamond resort hotel in the entire Midwest. The Whistling Straits golf course is associated with the resort, which hosted the PGA Championship in 2004 and 2010, and will again in 2015 and also hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 2007. Blackwolf Run, another golf course in Kohler, features two courses, and will host the 2012 U.S. Women's Open.
Kohler also owns the Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews in Scotland. The 5 Red Star golf resort is situated on the famed "Road Hole" fairway of the 17th green.

Sheboygan Falls

This town is one of the first Hometown winners.  They have had a great revitialization project.  Even the old mill is made into apartments.  The Main Street Association has successfully combined with the Chamber of Commerce to form a great organization accomplishing much.