Getting Your Goat-Camera Critters

City kids don't see farm animals too often.  While vacationing on Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin this summer, Olivia's favorite place was the Farm Museum, which had old farm tools, buildings, and small animals.  If you would like to see more Camera Critters, check this meme.

“All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”

George Orwell quotes (English Novelist and Essayist, 1903-1950)

On Land or Lake...

On land or lake, it appears that there's one activity a lot of people love to do.

Stavkirke

This Stavrkirke on Washington Island, Wisconsin, is both a replica from an ancient style of church construction common in Norway during medieval times and a tribute to Washington Island's Scandinavian heritage.  The Stavkirke shown above is patterned after the Borgund, Norway, church built in 1150 A.D. Of the more than 1,000 old stave churches that once existed, some thirty-three now remain.

Saturday & Sunday Meme: Camera Critters-"A Horse, A Horse, My Kingdom for a Horse!"

The wonderful farm museum on Washington Island, Wisconsin has small animals only, (rabbits, chickens, goats) which makes it easier for the volunteers to care for the property. Islandic horses are part of the island, but at the museum the best one can ride is this cute little critter!

The Tower

A favorite pastime for residents and tourists alike is climbing "the tower" which is a wooden structure that rises steeply into the air. Don't have statistics on its height, but it's a looong way up. The small photos give you an idea of the number of steps and, of course, the wonderful view after you finally reach the top. Along the way there are benches on several platforms for climbers to rest, and I took full advantage of them!

The Water Yoke

When the immigrants first settled on Washington Island, Wisconsin, they got their water from the Lake, either Lake Michigan or Green Bay. In order to transport the precious liquid, they devised this clever yoke; however, it was one of the women's tasks to haul it up from the lake!! Later they added a barrel and funnel to catch rainwater. See here.

The Farm Museum

Founded for the public enjoyment and education about farm life on the Island, 3 acres and 6 original buildings include pioneer log cabin, blacksmith shop and sawmill, field machinery, hand tools and photo exhibits. During the summer season volunteers conduct demonstrations and children's programs.

The red container with an aluminum funnel is a rain barrel used to collect the precious liquid, the upper middle photo is part of the blacksmith shop and the single blade plow is on the right. It was raining sporadically during our visit so I didn't take notes and cannot identify the three items on the lower left. Any guesses?

Norweigan Stavekirke (Stave Church)

Because of the immigrant history of the Island, a facsimile of a Stave Church was built and is being maintained by the Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church. It is situated in a park-like plot of land, surrounded by flowers and paths perfect for prayer and reflection.

A stave church is a medieval wooden structure with a post and beam construction related to timber framing. The wall frames are filled with vertical planks. The load-bearing posts (stafr in Old Norse) have lent their name to the building technique.
All of the few surviving stave churches except one are found in Norway, but related church types were once common all over northwestern Europe.

Our Herpetologist

Fear of snakes? Nah, not our resident herpetologist, granddaughter Olivia! We visited the Art and Nature Center that is located in an old schoolhouse, which is family friendly with hands on exhibits. It's great that she is not afraid to handle snakes and now wants to catch and keep some in a small aquarium...just as her Uncle Karl did when he was a boy. Must be genetic!

Rare Icelandic Horses

We are vacationing on Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin with our grandkids. Whenever we stay, my husband and granddaughter take a trail ride on the rare Icelandic horses at Field Wood Farm.

Most of the people who settled on the island were Scandinavian immigrants, especially Icelanders. Today, Washington Island is one of the oldest Icelandic communities in the United States and among the largest outside of Iceland itself.

For a fascinating history of the Island, check this site.