Red Barn Community Park
The Red Barn Community Park and Gislason Public Beach together can be a great low-key day for a family. The beach is a natural beach with lake grass but still refreshing and fun on a hot day for the family. Bring a few fun inflatables and your family will be all set. Enjoy the playground and nature trail. The Red Barn Coffee House has a summer music series your family will enjoy. While we were there we were able to listen to a group practice for an upcoming concert.
Inscribing Her Book To Us
Valerie had some copies of her book, Keep It Moving: Baja By Canoe. I bought one and she offered to sign it. I was honored.
Valerie Fons signed her book, Keep It Moving for us.
Valerie inscribed, May 25, 2021 Martha and Chuck A ship in the harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for Valerie Fons II Timothy 1:7
Upon arriving at home I looked up this Bible verse. For God did not give us spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Valeries spirit has touched my heart and left a lasting impression. I will always cherish our meeting and time together. I learned later that Valerie is an ordained minister. Her spirit has beamed and shined into this dark world.
Door County Camping On Washington Island
Washington Island Campground is the only campground on the island. Camping on Washington Island allowed us to be in nature, experience all the island has to offer. There is plenty of variety in the campsites from rustic to water and electricity. The Campground also has horse sites and cabins. Our family loved the swimming pond with inflatables. The boys spent hours and hours playing on the inflatables and making new friends.
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Mountain Park Lookout Tower
This short vertical hike may be a little challenging for some hikers. Mountain Park lookout tower found in the middle of the island is a great hike up forested steps. After the steps, you will then climb a tower overlooking the entire Island. It is a beautiful hike that everyone should take who goes to the island.
We just loved our trip to Washington Island Wisconsin as a family getaway. Please send us any questions you may have about planning a trip to Washington Island for your own family.
Popular Attractions In Door County
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Valerie Sat Down And Joined Us
After Valerie set our drinks on the table I asked, Have you lived here all your life? Valeries eyes revealed a smile under mask. My grandfather lived on the island and my father was born here.
We heard that youd adopted six children! I nodded my amazed approval at the feat of raising six kids. We integrated the island! Valerie stated with pride. Chuck chimed in, As an adopted kid, I thank you. She pulled out a chair from a nearby table. May I sit down?
Valerie clarified, Oh these poor darlings came to me with nothing. They had been ripped from their family, everything they had ever known. They were our foster children. Later when the courts declared their parents were unfit, we had to adopt them. We had made a family in the time we had them. I couldnt just let them go. Valerie bent her head downward. They had nothing. With a deep sigh she added, You see, I have touch stones here on the island. I can go to my grandfathers farm. They didnt have anything. Her childrens lack of connection to their heritage curdled her soul.
I interjected, But, you gave them touch stones. You provided a secure environment for them. Thats something they wouldnt have had. Chuck shared about his experience as an adopted child and added, You did so much for your kids and gave them a solid start in life! I have to admit that our eyes had dampened.
A photo from Valeries Facebook page shows her loving family with some friends.
Reviews For Bread & Water
I have been to this place 2 times now. Really appreciated that they let their light shine for Jesus? First time the cherry bbq bacon burger was a surprise as to how good it was! Came back this year to have it again and see if it was as good as I remember? It was! The waitress was super helpful and knowledgeable about the area and the owners actually won the guinness book of world records for kayaking! It’s definitely a country feel like cracker barrel in an antique store.
Honestly I was a little wary due to the Christian slant of the business, when I am in fact a demon. However, the breakfast was delicious and filling! Great service. I didn’t devil anyone the rest of the day, instead enjoyed bicycling the island. Maybe I’ve just been hangry all along.
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Washington Island Art And Nature Center
If you are looking for things to do with kids of any age hit up the Washington Island Art and Nature Center. Our kids LOVE the art and nature center! They can watch bees create a hive INSIDE the center They hold snakes, read about other critters and talk to other kids about all the nature on Washington Island. While you are there take a class, or watch the stars. This is a great family-friendly place for sunny and rainy days.
Washington Island Wisconsin 15 Things To Do
Washington Island, Wisconsin is the perfect family getaway. This beautiful island found off the northern tip of Wisconsins exclusive Door County is waiting for your family to discover all it has to offer. Washington Island has an abundance of things to do on the island, we narrowed in on the top 15 things to do on Washington Island. If you are planning a trip to Door County with kids Washington Island is the best place to be.
This post may contain businesses that have hosted us as bloggers. Even though we were hosted we only write our own opinions.
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Double DelitesDairy Queen Bearded Heart CoffeeBaileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub and RestaurantGet Real CafeWave Pointe Marina and ResortThe Village CafeChocolate ChickenThe Roadhouse of CarlsvillePink BakeryPeninsula PubNelsen’s HallStage Road InnKnaapen BakeryThe Cherry Pub at Cherry Hills Golf CourseButtercups CoffeeMcDonald’sThe Tin PlateChives Door CountyLittle Brown Jug SaloonAC TAPWaterfront RestaurantBetsy Ross Family RestaurantRed RoomMcDonald’sNightingale Supper ClubFish Creek GrillMahalo Beach ClubIdlewild Pub and Grill
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Washington Island Dunes Beach Park
An important part of every summer vacation is swimming and beach time. Dunes Beach Park provides the best of what we want in a beach day. Not only is there a beautiful sandy beach but at all Dune that the boys love to run down, roll down, dig into, and just have fun within. We packed a picnic and had a great time in the sun and the surf of Lake Michigan.
Record Breaking Canoe Travels
In 1984 the pair set a Guinness World Record when racing the 2,348-mile Mississippi River in Krugers specially designed two person canoe.
Valerie and Verlen on their record setting Mississippi River journey sponsored by Eddie Bower.Photo Credit: Valerie Fons
Not long after in 1986, Valerie and Verlen paddled from the Arctic Ocean to Cape Horn. Their hope was to reach their destination of Cape Horn, the tip of South America by 1989.
Verlen Kruger, a retired plumber, had started canoeing later in life. He set eleven Guinness World Records as he traveled over 100,000 miles over two continents. One resource stated that the paddling partners were married in 1987. I am unclear as to how long Verlen and Valerie were together. Verlen passed away in 2004 at 82 years young.
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