State parks
Wisconsin appears like a big mitten. The thumb - beautiful Door County - juts into the stunning waters of Lake Michigan.
There is shore up one side and back down the other; picturesque landscape within; fragile land features; and an abundance of flora and fauna, some of it quite rare. Thankfully, visionaries in history set aside parcels for future generations. Today, preserved and protected, there are five fabulous state parks and one state trail.
Each has its own character. Each has its own charm.
Starting south, Potawatomi State Park sits along the shores of Sturgeon Bay. Sometimes overlooked by tourists in a hurry to get farther north, it's like a secret treasure.
For campers, there are incredible sites nestled against a slopping bluff. Boaters have a wonderful launch with ample parking.
The only problem with the place - if you could call it that - is the lack of sandy beaches. But that can't be helped. Instead, the waterfront focus is on sightseeing and fishing.
Zigzag north toward the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, and the next park you'll come across is Whitefish Dunes. Now this place is ALL sandy beach and towering dunes. Conversely, there are no camping sites or boat launch facilities here. It's the yin to Potawatomi's yang.
If you have time and inclination to explore a little more, you'll learn the area has a long history. The park's interpretive center is a mini-museum of Native American artifacts excavated from the park.
Head north and cross the peninsula again to the Green Bay water side, and you'll soon come across Peninsula, one of the crown jewels in the Wisconsin State Park system accessible from both Fish Creek and Ephraim. It's old - one of the first parcels of land set aside for a Wisconsin state park. And it's impressive in every aspect.
Camping, swimming, hiking, biking, boating.it's got it all, and then some. And it's all set among a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery you can imagine.
What makes Peninsula unique is how nature and modern conveniences co-exist. For instance, the park is home to the American Folklore Theatre, a professional company that along with its original incarnation - the Heritage Ensemble - has been performing for 40 years.
There's a concession stand right at the beach, internet access and a sporting goods rental stand. If you forgot your kayak at home, don't fret, you can rent one here.
Now, some might complain that the park is too busy for their tastes. And it is true the place is hopping . sometimes it takes two parking lots to accommodate all the beach-goers.
But it's not difficult to get off the beaten path and find yourself in solitude.
Farther north - at the very tip of the thumb - is Newport State Park. There is a sense of enormity here, where the waters of Lake Michigan can roll in with such ferocity it takes your breath away.
Of course, it can be subtle and peaceful, too, but in an awe-inspiring way.
The history of the place goes back so far, you need a field guide to identify the fossils.
Camping here is real camping. You park in a small wooded area, hike it all in and pack it out. It's work, but it's so worth it. There are sites along the Lake Michigan shore and a couple of unbelievable, expansive sites along Europe Lake - a clear, spring-fed little body of water.
Perhaps the most unique state park in all of Wisconsin is Rock Island. It takes time and commitment to get there . and even more if you plan to camp. Most people access the island by riding two ferries - the second connecting ferry being on Washington Island. Of course, if you are lucky, your own boat.
Camping here is a unique experience. But if that's not your cup of tea, you can still enjoy the park as a day-tripper. You'll experience land the way it once was: rugged, unspoiled. There are trails and signs of past inhabitation by small communities, lighthouse keepers and a past owner of the island, wealthy inventor Chester Thordarson.
When it comes to "spectacular," the park has it all, including breathtaking vistas, rocky strands against fossil-studded bluffs and unbeatable camping sites. Some people come just for the incomparable sandy beach.
All the state parks are designed, in some way or another, to refresh your soul. It's a bit like re-booting a computer.
