A GARDEN WITH A NAUTICAL THEME

WILSON STREET ENTRANCE TO BLACK HAWK MARINA GARDEN

RESTORED FISHING TUGS

BEACHED DINGY OVERGROWN WITH VINES

BROAD STREET ENTRANCE

BEACHED FISHING BOAT

LILY POND AND BRIDGE

LILY POND FROM BRIDGE

BEACHED FISHING TRAWLER

Thursday, 7:15 AM.  71 degrees F at the ferry dock, 68 on the back porch.  Wind variable with light gusts.  The sky is overcast and it is raining steadily.  The humidity is 88% and the barometer is still falling, now at 20.77".  It looks like it will be a rainy day, then be clear most of the coming week, with temperatures in the 70's.

    The Black Hawk Marina is the site of the Bayfield public boat launch ramp, but it is also a privately owned facility for docking and storing of boats.  For some years now it has been developing a nautically themed garden designed and planted around beached fishing tugs which are historical artifacts.

   What began as an enhancement for the boat display has grown into a very fine garden, based on a nautical theme.  Since Bayfield has a microclimate influenced by the tempering effects of the big lake, it has many plants one would not expect to be hardy this far north, including azaleas, Rhododendrons and roses, and now many colorful hardy water lilies.

   The garden is not large, but at perhaps a bit less that a half-acre it is intensively planted and very diverse, and certainly is enough work for several seasonal gardeners.  It has three arched garden entrances, very artistically designed and built by the marina owner.  

   This garden is obviously a labor of love, and is open to to the public; a perfect retreat during the hectic summer tourist season.