Aug 18, Algoma, WI

We left the boatyard in Sturgeon Bay after ordering the fuel solenoid for the generator. It will be shipped to Pt Washington, WI and should be there when we arrive next week.

We cruised east in the channel under the new drawbridge bridge where last week the bridge tender failed to see a car on one of the spans of the bridge and began raising it while the car was stopped in the middle of one span. He got the drawbridge up to a 30% angle before finally noticing the car. He stopped and the car was finally lowered again to level without injury to the car or passengers. Made the front page of the local newspaper. Exciting small town news.

Coast Guard Station as we leave Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse and Coast Guard Station.

Sturgeon Bay North Pierhead Light

We motored through Sturgeon Bay, out the canal and past the Coast Guard Station and then into Lake Michigan. The wind is blowing 15 mph from the southwest so we are somewhat sheltered by the land as we motor south. It is only 12 miles to Algoma. We are staying at the Algoma Municipal Marina with 30 amp and a short walk to town.

Algoma Pierhead Light

Algoma is a small town that grew because of the lumber (long gone) and is now surviving on fishing and tourism. Algoma is a salmon fishing center although salmon is only a sport fish and cannot be sold.

Fishtug in winter

Happy fisherman with the days catch of Salmon.
He generously shared a piece with us.
Delicious.

Algoma is trying to redevelop the downtown area but only a few stores remain open.

Downtown Algoma

Pirates in Algoma?

Owen finds a Corvette 'Indy Pace Car'

Former Bank of Algoma now an insurance office.

Downtown Algoma

The town has some murals painted on downtown walls and has some interesting buildings. We see lots of empty stores. As we walk around town, some highlights were the hardware/fishing tackle store (huge), the flower shop (looking for local wild orchids) and a used bookstore.




Von Stiehl Winery, Wisconsin's oldest winery, offered a tour. Interesting. Started by a Dentist who began making cherry wine in his basement, this winery is operated by his sons. They said they sold 196,000 bottles of wine last year. We bought a bottle of their award winning red wine 'Naughty Girl'.

von Stiehl Winery

Building housed a brewery. Now housing a winery.
Located right in Algoma.

Stainless Steel tanks for making wine.
Pretty good, too.