This week we headed into and through Wisconsin, we were welcomed into the State by cheese and many many many many many mosquitos. As we travelled through we got to experience the full Great Lakes region truly living up to the two common phrases of the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and “30,000 islands” alongside the shift through the heritages of the areas from German, Norwegian, Irish, and Swedish influences.
Our first stop was Rhinelander, a quaint town that caught the railroad’s attention by naming itself after an Railroad Executive. Though not particularly standout, Rhinelander’s claim to fame is the Hodag—a mythical lizard creature that supposedly haunts the local lakes. The town’s marketing efforts around this legend and its ability to get the railroad into town were a sign of some very smart cookies living in the area now and back in the day. Our time here was brief but we started to enjoy life by so much water with the abundance of new wildlife, views and lake activities. However, the increase in mosquitos was a bit of a challenge. Alice and Tilly seemed to be the prime targets.
We spent the rest of the week at a local campground right near Lake Michigan. The girls had a blast playing on the beaches, building sandcastles, and skipping rocks. The sheer size of Lake Michigan was awe-inspiring—it’s hard to believe it’s just a lake!
The highlight of the week was our ferry trip to Mackinac Island. This historic island, accessible only by boat, has no cars—just horses and bicycles. The girls loved the fast boat ride, and we all enjoyed exploring the island’s trails. Alice and Will bravely pushed the stroller, loaded with supplies, Maggie, and Tilly, up some pretty impressive inclines and worked together to hold on tightly on the declines.
Mackinac Island boasts two old forts, originally built by the British and later taken over by the Americans in the 1800s. The charming old buildings, well-tended gardens, and absence of traffic gave the island a unique and peaceful vibe. We marveled at the hotel workers who somehow managed to balance huge piles of luggage on single bikes. After a day of walking and horse-watching, we treated ourselves to fish and chips, ice cream, fudge, and a bit of classic seaside (or lakeside in this case) shopping.
Will and the girls also spent a few mornings in St. Ignace, a town on Lake Huron, playing in parks and on the beaches. The abundance of lakes and rivers gave us a glimpse into the Angler lifestyle and a newfound appreciation for fresh fish.
This week wasn’t packed with big events, but we did manage to enjoy the last few weeks of the summer heat on the peninsula. As the weekend approaches, we’re preparing to head back into Canada, continue our journey around the Great Lakes, and eventually drop into New York State for some family time before our trip to the UK.
We’ll see you very soon. Alice, Will and the Girls xx
Our Adventures in Frames 
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