We arrived on a Monday ahead of all the road-trippers. We checked into our place, which was called "Grandma's Cottage." For those of you who know me, my happy place is a little rustic cabin that I (with some help) refurbished starting in 2015. I also love backpacking in the woods. Roughing it is ok in my world, but Grandma's Cottage was far from the Marriott. It was quaint and charming, but probably not updated since the 70's.
Grandma's Cottage courtesy of my sister-in-law
The property was right on Lake Michigan. It had two structures on the land that we couldn't enter. The first looked like an art studio. The owners were obviously into painting. The decorations in Grandma's Cottage included several oil paintings of the grounds that were quite amateur, but way better than I could do. I actually learned some interesting techniques from the artist that I'll have to try down the road next time I try drawing water.
The second structure looked like a guest house. I'm guessing it was the actual cottage for Grandma. This was the first piece I did sitting on the beach.
I have been to Door County several times. Although I had seen some of the peninsula, I really wanted to see more of it on this trip. My father-in-law loaned us his Mini Cooper convertible, so we got to drive the farm roads in style, top-down.
One day, we took a trip out to Washington Island. At the end of the peninsula, you catch a ferry to the island. It was beautiful. Went to some beaches, a lavender farm, and a fire tower.
We stopped for lunch (a two hour, expensive experience...) at a restaurant called The Koyen Collection: KK Fiske Restaurant, Granary Saloon & Coop hangout. The kitchen staff must have been a little overwhelmed that day, so we knew it was going to take some time to get our food. I decided to go out and sketch this metal chicken they had mounted outside of a window (think of a life sized cookoo clock). I couldn't find images of the mounted chicken, and forgot to take a picture, but this image is from their Facebook page which I'm guessing is the same chicken I sketched:
(I did not get permission to use)
After lunch, we went to the lavender farm and the tower. We then went to the end of the island where you can take another ferry to Rock Island (big for backpackers - added to the bucket list). It was too late in the day to ferry there, but the port was so cool. I stole a few minutes to quickly sketch this charming little property across the bay (still on Washington Island). From there, we headed back to the mainland.
On my last full day of the trip, I really wanted to capture some of the beauty of Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay is where big ships come in for repairs. There are (I think) three bridges that cross the bay. Several times a day, these bridges move to allow ships to pass.
At the base of one of the bridges (Michigan Street) is a museum which has this tug boat, the John Purves, parked in front. Since my back was still bugging me, it was easiest to be walking and standing. So I walked onto the bridge and did the following sketch. It was cool to have other people walking the bridge and admire my work. A group of ladies actually took my picture, but I didn't get a copy.
(fun with the aperture)
This shows about where I was. Image credit Green Bay Press Gazette
Later that night, my very talented niece and I were going through our sketchbooks. She loves drawing people and fashion. This is one of her characters that I had her draw in my sketchbook. I now have two of her drawings which I cherish. I am so envious of how she can capture people and expression!
As I write this three weeks later, my back is still bugging me, but it's getting better.
