Agriculture Lesson #7: From France to US, Lavender Farms and 4 Festivals

Photo by Krenda

A friend of mine visited Provence, France and raved about the lavender fields.  The Mediterranean mountains and Africa are known as lavender locations.  I imagined her strolling through the fields and visiting cute gift shops.  She brought me back lavender soap which I treasured.  The perennial flowering shrub smells so fragrant.  It's often found in beauty care items, sometimes with a claim to help relaxation and sleep.  This began my research in how to visit a lavender farm a little closer to home.

Born in the south of France, Martine Anderson became the founder of the Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm in Washington Island, Wisconsin.  Martine
began growing lavender gardens with her husband Edgar.  In 2013, the farm staff planted 9,000 plants and now there's 30,000 lavender plants.  So I scheduled our Door County Wisconsin vacation around the July timing of the Lavender Festival at the Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm.  It took all of us boarding a ferry to Washington Island.  We strolled through the fields, saw freshly harvested lavender hanging in the working barn, watched demonstrations, listened to live music, and tasted samples of food containing lavender.  The festival offered painting classes near the fields too.  While lavender for culinary and aromatic purposes, I prefer the scent versus the taste.  My sister doesn't appreciate the scent as much as me, so she gladly gave me her lavender organza sachet.

France inspired other growers.  In 1999, Rob Kendrick and his wife Jeannie Ralston shot a story for national Geographic about lavender farming and perfume-making in Provence.  In 1999, they planted 2,000 plants and now you can visit their farm Hill Country Farm in Texas, near San Antonio and Austin.  Visit the farm May to July or you can buy their lavender-lemon tea cookies online.

You can find lavender farms coast to coast in the United States.  Here's three more lavender festivals for you and your family to consider:
1.  Sequim Lavender Festival, Sequim, Washington; June-Labor Day
Considered the "Lavender Capital" of North America, Sequim celebrates with a street fair of craft booths, LavenderStock music stage, free self-guided farm tours at eight farms
Kids can stay active in the KidsZone including a dance party, quick golf, obstacle course, and minute to win it challenges
2.  Michigan Lavender Festival; Imlay City, MI; Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds (North of Detroit); July
Admission includes shuttle, educational classes and demos, 5-minute mini massage, daily yoga sessions at 11AM and 2PM, and many demos (knitting, pottery, broom making, spinning & weaving), pamper yourself with an express lavender facial for $20 or listen to live music
Kid's activity barn includes crafts such as DIY lavender play dough demo for age 12 and under
3.  Ojai Valley Lavender Festival; Ojai, California; June
Ojai declared June as Lavender Month.  Take advantage of free parking and shuttle; learn from talks such as "growing lavender" and "cooking with lavender" at Lavender Inn, listen to live music and expect a crowd as the festival has attracted over 4,500 attendees
 4.  Blanco Lavender Festival, Blanco, TX; June
Free admission to the festival and farm, live music, listen to speakers at the courthouse on horticulture and bee keeping

If you can't time your visit just right for a festival, visit a farm in the summer:
1.  Ali' Kula Lavender Farm; Maui, Hawaii; June to Aug.
2.  Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms; Montague, California
3.  Pelindaba Lavender Farm; Washington State's San Juan Island; April to Oct.
4.  Hood River Lavender Farm; Oregon; May to Oct.
5.  Red Rock Randeh & Farm Growers of High Altitude Lavender; Concho, Arizona
6.  Los Poblanos Lavender Farm; Albuquerque, New Mexico
7.  Sprigs and Sprouts; Palisade, Colorado
8.  White Oak Lavender Farm; Harrisburg, Virginia; open year-round
9.  Lavender by the Bay; East Marion, NY; June - Oct.
10.  Peace Valley Lavender Farms; Bucks County, PA;  open year-round

Lighthouse Lesson #8: Eagle Bluff in Fish Creek, Wisconsin (Door County)

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Fish Creek, Wisconsin tells the story of three different keepers and their families that helped protect sailors passing through the Strawberry Channel.  The light helped sailors pass between the Strawberry Islands and Door County Peninsula.

Henry Stanley served as the first keeper, beginning in 1868.  An immigrant from Norway, he had an adventurous spirit, looking for gold in California, sailing the Great Lakes, and then raising two kids with his wife in the lighthouse.  The Fresnel lens at this time shone 16 miles out.

The second keeper story continues since the youngest son helped Door County Historical Society in restoring the lighthouse and donating items for the interior.  William Dulcon served for 35 years and raised seven sons with his wife.  The boys formed a band, making them known in the community.

The third and final keeper, Peter Coughlin, served until the light was automated in 1926.  If you take the $8 tour, you'll learn more about the families.  You need to arrive between 10AM and 3:30PM during the season.  Tours happen every 30 minutes.

The lighthouse has stories of change and survival like others.  The rock wall was built in 1877, barn added in 1893, and oil house in 1890.  Twice the lighthouse went vacant (1906 to 1930).  Then the Fruit Growers Union Cooperative leased the place as an office.  After the Wisconsin State Conservation Commission gained the lighthouse, park employees lived in it.  It went vacant again in the 1950s.  Fortunately, the Door County Historical Society made restorations beginning in 1961.

If you miss the tour, you'll still want to see the grounds and view.  The lighthouse stands on a bluff 76 feet above water.  The cream-colored brick two-story dwelling looks like the Chambers Islands lighthouse, but purposely has a different shaped tower to help sailors differentiate them.  The Eagle Bluff lighthouse tower stands 9 feet and 4 inches.  Since the lighthouse is located within the State Park, you'll need an admission sticker.

 

Lighthouse History Lesson #7: Cana Island Lighthouse

The kids get wet.  The parents have an opportunity to hike and climb a lighthouse.  What a great combination!

If you want this experience, drive up northeast of Bailey's Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin.  Park the car and take a complementary hayride to the island.  Note that while the lighthouse remains open 10AM to 5 PM during the season (May to October), the last tractor hay-wagon leaves the parking lot at 4:15PM and the last tower climb begins at 8:30PM.  You'll see the lighthouse from afar as the tower stands 89 feet tall.  

The peninsula separates Moonlight Bay and North Bay.  We took the hayride to the lighthouse, but the kids begged to walk across the lake on the way back.  So guess who waded in two feet of cold lake water?!?

The triangular island spans across 8.7 acres.  When you arrive at the island, you buy your ticket to climb the tower ($12 adults, $10 kids age 5 to 17 years old).  To climb, you must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall.  Take a short hike to the lighthouse and climb the 97 cast iron steps up a spiral staircase.  At the top, step onto the balcony and admire the view.  You'll also notice the

Fresnel lens made in France and once fueled by lard.

 Many years ago, President Andrew Jackson reserved Cana Island in Wisconsin for the light, but only in the last decade can visitors climb the tower.   The lighthouse was built in 1870.  The tower stood as the tallest brick structure in Door County when it was completed.  In 1970, control of the island and lighthouse was given to Door County Maritime Museum.  In 1976, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historical Places.  In 2008, visitors were allowed to climb the tower and gain a spectacular view from the lantern room.

If you want to visit Cana Island through a tour, consider attending the Spring Door County Lighthouse Festival (early June) or Fall Door County Lighthouse Festival.  Tickets become available months earlier, so plan ahead.  Here's five tours:

1) Door County Trolley Lighthouse 7.5 hour Tour:  $82 to see 5 lighhouses including Cana Island, lunch included
2) Narrated Naturalist 6.5 hour Tour:  $87 to see 5 lighthouses including Cana Island and lunch
3) Lakeshore Lighthouse 2 hour Cruise:  $52 to see 3 lighthouses including Cana Island
4) Cana Island Kayak 4 hour Expedition:  $80 for kayak and climb Cana tower
5) Bailey's Harbor Kayak 3 hour Expedition:  $80 see 3 lighthouses including Cana

Lighthouse Lesson #5: Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse & North Pierhead Lighthouse

Sturgeon Bay Canal, Photo by Krenda

Walk the breakwall

If you want a quick stop to discuss the history of transportation, stop at the U.S. Coast Guard Station.  Considering my passion for lighthouses, the kids can wonder how much time could get spent at a lighthouse.  You have to consider the tour, walking up the stairs, and taking time for the view.  In this case, you can't wander on the grounds and the government offers no tour (except during annual lighthouse festival).  It's an active Coast Guard station.  You have a quick stop, walking from the parking lot to the north breakwall.  It does give you a nice view of two lighthouses.  The first lighthouse, Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse, has a cylindrical design and stands tall at 78 feet.  Originally painted a reddish brown, it was repainted white in 1900.  The second lighthouse, Ship Canal North Pierhead Lighthouse, originally had white paint and later painted red.  It stands 35 feet above water at the end of the jetty.

Ship Canal North Pierhead

You also have a waterfront view.  The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal connects Sturgeon Bay with Lake Peninsula. The approximately 7 mile canal provides a shortcut to the southern end of Green Bay.  It allows ships to avoid the dangerous "Death's Door" passage at the northern tip of the Door Peninsula.  At the end of the jetty when you are close to the Pierhead Lighthouse, turn around and take a photos of the Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse too.

The lighthouses evolved over time to solve problems, whether adding a fog horn, better light, electricity, or larger keeper house, the government invested for marine safety.  The Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse had structural issues from the wind vibration, so a steel framework was added.

Agriculture Lesson #6: From Turkey to US, Cherry Picking Farms & 7 Festivals

Cherry Picking, Photo by Krenda

One of my favorite memories about spending time on my grandparent's farm was picking cherries with grandpa.  Peering from the farm house lace curtain decorated windows, I could see the cherry trees.  If I saw too many birds, I might jump up and run out to scare them away.  Grandpa's nets worked better, but I could help too.  Fresh, sweet, tart cherries meant cherry pie.  What a treat!

Turkey wins the title of the world's largest cherry producing country.  However, you don't need to travel to Turkey to experience cherry picking.  The United States ranks as the second highest producer with Washington, California, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Michigan as top sweet cherry producing states.  We chose to find a u-pick cherry farm in Wisconsin.  We visited Hyline Orchards in Fish Creek, Wisconsin (Door County).  Nothing too fancy.  You enter the shop, pay for an empty bucket, and begin picking.

Turkey celebrates cherry agriculture with festivals.  The traditional and well known Polonezkoy festival includes concerts and folk dancing in June.  In the US, many festivals also occur in June and your family can celebrate the harvest and try cherry food items.  I'll list a few options, beginning with Traverse City, Michigan because the city calls itself the "Cherry Capital of the World":

1.  National Cherry Festival; Traverse City, Michigan, June/July
Many competitions including turtle race, cherry pie eating contest, diaper derby, cherry pit contest, sand sculpture contest, art competition, and shuffleboard tournament.  Kids may like the cherry teddy bear tea and chalk art.  Everyone will learn at the orchard tour.

2.  Jacksonport Historical Society Annual Cherry Fest; Jacksonport, WI
Kids will enjoy the penny hunt on the beach, face painting, and horse drawn wagon rides.  Indulge your sweet tooth by purchasing cherry kolaches at the bakery booth.

3.  Leona Valley Cherry Parade and Festival; Leona, CA; June
Many choices because over 20 u-pick cherry orchards within driving distance.  Plus enjoy live music, pie eating contest, and crafts.

4.  Whitehouse Cherry Fest; Whitehouse, OH, June
Entertain friends and family at the carnival rides and 5 min. helicopter rides for $35

5.  Emmett Cherry Festival; Emmett, Idaho, June
Active event including fireman hose competition, softball tourney, and run/walk.  Also visit the train show and parade.  Free admission and free contest entry.

6.  Polson Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival; Polson, Montana
Buy from Montana Made Item vendors and listen to the steel drum band.  Traditional events including pit-spitting and pie eating contests.

7.  Paonia Cherry Days Festival; Paonia, CO
Interesting contests including coal shoveling contest and hula contest.  Get moving at the American Legion dance and Zumba event.  Treat yourself at the ice cream social.  Event also includes Church in the Park and Library Book Sale.