Clay Myers-Bowman

Norwegian Chapel

9:15 a.m. Norwegian Chapel
After another incomprehensibly huge breakfast buffet, we headed to the Bjorklunden Boynton Chapel in a nearby harbor. It was nestled in a wonderfully picturesque, secluded forest on Lake Michigan. The grass was wet and green. The trees were lush. The sun was shining. I could have stayed here all day. The chapel is fewer than 70 years old, but is modeled after a church in Norway. Our guide, Paul, was married here a few weeks ago. After sitting in the church and listening to the student guide, everyone heads to the beach. It’s not the greatest place to wade (too much algae on the shore) but it’s great.

Willie standing as close as he would to the edge.

10:30 a.m. Caves!
What’s better than caves? Caves on a lake, of course. Cave Point Park is a section of shore on Lake Michigan that’s been pounded by the surf for so long that shallow caves have been carved out of the limestone. It was great fun to rock-hop down the shore and peak in to numerous cracks and fissures. I didn’t see any “real” caves, but it was pretty cool anyway. I got to climb down a few bluffs and see some hidden areas. It’s definitely a place I’d visit again and take along a swimsuit so I could explore more.

Our little mermaid.

11:30 a.m. Glidden Lodge Restaurant
Finally a moderately-sized meal! After a simple chicken salad sandwich, I head outside to sit on a concrete dock to look out at an incredibly long beach that stretches in an arc to the north of the Glidden Resort. And it’s basically empty. A few families are playing on the sand and a few Jet Ski’s are zipping around. It’s another great-looking location to hang out, but we’re prodded to get back on the bus for the next stop on our daily itinerary. (Oh, you should know that we were served ice cream and a small piece of chocolate cake/brownie for dessert.)

Cows.

1:00 p.m. Schopf Dairy Farm
(Shrug) I guess if you visit Wisconsin, it’d be an oversight not to visit a dairy. And eat ice cream. The owner of the dairy gave us run-down of his operation with rotating cameras in the barns, milking shed, and holding tanks. (Another shrug) As soon the presentation was over, several people in our group made a beeline to the counter and ordered ice cream. In fact, I think a bunch of them ordered ice cream! (Final shrug) The coolest part was when Becky and I were peering through the glass at a row of cows that were finishing the milking process. As they were released to head back to their beds (yep, they have beds) the first in line came right over to the glass, looked at us both, and pressed its nose to the glass as if to smell us. Kinda weird. However, we didn’t get to see the barns where the cows live, nor did we get to smell what a dairy farm really smells like.

2:45 p.m. Fish Creek
Fish Creek is a small town with a marina and lots of small shops. The itinerary called for this to be a shopping stop, but Willie and I, on the recommendation of Paul, our tour guide, headed to the Bayside Tavern. It was good to just sit for an hour or so, watch ESPN, talk, and drink a few beers. On the way back to the bus, I walked down by the marina and saw another bunch of great looking boats. Did I mention that I love boats?

5:00 p.m. Back to Resort
We drive all the way back to Rowley’s Bay Resort, about 30 minutes, to freshen up and eat.

Getting ready for the show.

6:50 p.m. Evening Performance
After a group photo on the front steps of the resort, we drive all the way back to Fish Creek, about 30 minutes, to attend the opening night performance of The Importance of Being Earnest. Peninsula Players Theatre is a wonderful, professional theatre company located in the woods on a section of Green Bay. Initially, I was a little worried that it would be a less than professional. My fears were unfounded. PP is an Equity house (professional and union) and the production was delightful, energetic, funny, and witty. The theatre itself is an amazing structure completed a few years ago after a multi-million dollar capital campaign. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

11:00 p.m. Back to Resort
Finally, we drive back to Rowley’s Bay Resort (30 minutes) and everyone heads to bed.

Tomorrow: we leave Rowley’s Bay and stop in Oshkosh on our way to the Wisconsin Dells and a boat tour (yea!) and a dinner show. It’s time to start heading home.