Good Old Summertime

A lovely, lazy summer day down by Pewaukee Lake, watching people fish from the pier and enjoying the beach.

SkyWatch Friday: Nagawicka Lake

Every Friday night during the summer, there is a traditional midwestern fish fry dinner at a local restaurant called "Seven Seas." Located on Nagawicka Lake in Waukesha County, the dining patio has a lovely view of the sunset over the lake. They also have a large pier where boaters can dock their crafts while they eat, and this photo shows a number of boats coming in for a landing.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

"A Three-Hour Tour"...

(...to throw in a few words from the Gilligan's Island TV show theme song!) At the Sister Bay Marina in Door County there are all sorts of boats - from yachts to sailboats. The little lighthouse is just a replica on the pier. This charter boat was taking a group of people out for a tour of Green Bay (the body of water, not the city!)

Sandbar Party

Part of life on the river is boating. And part of boating (along with fishing) is cruising on a warm, sunny afternoon and enjoying the stops along the way. Sandbars are areas of sandy beaches skirting the wooded shores of the river and are popular spots for overnight camping, swimming, exploring, and general fun. The biggest challenge is keeping the mosquitoes at bay. Many a "S'more" has been enjoyed over an open evening campfire over the years!

Pontoon boats (below) are a favorite way of sailing up and down the main channel of the Mississippi near La Crosse.

[Note: Be sure to click the photos, and then click again, to see the full size view.]

Bridges

During our La Crosse Queen excursion (see 7/16 post) we travelled up the Mississippi River to the railroad extension bridge between Wisconsin and Minnesota (above). We then turned around and continued downstream, past Riverside Park and under the twin span highway bridge also connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota (below).

Big Wheel Keep on Turning...

While visiting La Crosse, Wisconsin a few weeks ago, we took a "La Crosse Queen" paddleboat ride on the Mississippi River. The "Queen" is docked at Riverside Park and has a pretty regular schedule during the summer and fall months. Our sunset cruise last 1-1/2 hours and toured up north towards the railroad bridge crossing, and then headed back down south, past the park and under the Mississippi span bridges. (More photos will be posted over the next few days.)

Milwaukee Harbor

During our visit to the lakefront on Labor Day weekend, we saw this bright red speed boat with a racing flag paint job heading out towards Lake Michigan for some fun in the sun. The moored boats below at the Milwaukee Yacht Club gave a peaceful look to the warm afternoon.

SkyWatch Friday: Shades of Mark Twain

It looks as if these puffy clouds are being blown from the stacks of the La Crosse Queen, an old-fashioned paddleboat. Docked at Riverside Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, she offers leisurely scenic tours up and down the Mississippi River during the summer months.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.