Good morning from the Scandinavian Lodge in Sister Bay, where the sun is shining, but don’t let that fool you, the temps are cold.

Today’s a day of driving and shopping for Christmas gifts. If you continue to read this you will see if shopping for Christmas gifts was accomplished. Here we go!!!!!

We started the day by driving south on Hwy 57. Now Hwy 57 south is along stretch of highway with some stores and that’s about it. We passed Baileys Harbor and some other areas before we stopped at Whitesish Dunes State Park.

Whitefish Dunes State Park is an 863 acre day use. It is a park which offers hiking, and picnicking, in warmer months, and cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the winter months. You get beautiful views of Michigan , Clark Bay, and Whitefish Bay (when it is warm enough to hike).

Kris and I thought it would be cool and adventurous to hike along one of trails by the nature center, and shoreline until I said, “it is too cold and windy to do this.” so I headed back to the car, but Kris was able to take some photos of the shoreline, and the snow covered trees. Along the state park, we also also stopped at the Cave Point County Park, where Kris was able to take some more photos of the lake and snow covered trees.

We continued to drive north on Hwy 57 toward Fish Creek and Sister Bay. Kris was able to take some more photos. We stopped in Fish Creek and went to the Fish Creek Market to pick up deli sandwiches. After lunch we walked around and looked in couple stores to get ideas on a couple of Christmas gifts. After walking around we stopped at the Blue Horse Cafe and enjoyed White Mocha, and a Hot chocolate, before doing some more driving.

We drove north on Hwy 42 and we stopped at the Ephraim Public Beach and took pictures of the shoreline. Even though it was cold and windy it was nice to take photos of the shoreline and lake when it is just starting to freeze over. Another few weeks there will actually be people swimming in that cold water in the annual polar bear plunge in Jacksonport. I Don’t know why anyone would want to do that. I personally haven’t seen it, only on the news, but my aunt and uncle come up here every year around New Years, and it is one of the things/events they go to while here.

We continued north on Hwy 42 until we couldn’t drive anymore. The road ended at Northport Pier before you got on a ferry and went over to Washington Island. Kris took some more photos. From Sturgeon Bay to Northport it is about a 45 minute drive. We turned around and headed south on 42 through Ellison Bay and other neighboring communities. On the way back we stopped at the Tannenbaum Holiday Shop in Sister Bay and did some Christmas shopping.

We came back to the lodge and relaxed before we went to the Mission Grille in Sister Bay for dinner. Atmosphere outside was cold, windy and snowy but the atmosphere inside the restaurant was casual, but charming, warm and pleasing. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

Yes I was able to find Christmas gifts for my grandfather and a friend of mine. Tomorrow when we go into Sturgeon Bay, and look in the shops on Jefferson St. I will find something for my uncle and be done with Christmas shopping for 2008.