Door County, Two Days

Door County, two days, let's go!  Scott and I left early in the morning, and just over four hours later we were in line for the ferry to Washington Island.  Washington Island is north of Gills Rock, the northern tip of Door County.  The ferry was still there, but it was full and we would have to wait about 45 minutes to board the next one.  The departure time is on the hour in the fall 8am to 6 pm.  In the summer its every 45 minutes starting at 7:45 and in the winter it runs every two hours.   Time to hop into the Information center, and then walk along the shoreline.  The day started out in the 50s but it was sunny and 65 degrees now!  Before getting in line for the ferry, you can check out the Overlook above Death's Door.  That is the passage, 6 miles wide connecting Lake Michigan and Green Bay, with turbulent waters and strong winds, this was a dangerous place for Indian craft, for French explorers and in 1872, 100 vessels were stranded or damaged.  Today, with modern navigation aids, there is little or no danger to large watercraft.

                                                Here it comes!

The cost of the ferry is $7.00 a person, $26.00 for a car.  The trip takes about 25 minutes.

                                             Washington Island

                                            Detroit Harbor on Washington Island

We drove off the ferry, and it was time to eat.  About a mile from the ferry dock we found The Danish Mill.  Scandinavian theme, homemade bread and pastries.  It is also a deli, you order your food and sit down.  We both had sandwiches, they were good, I especially liked the homemade bread.  After we ate it was off to see what this Island is all about.  

There were no crowds, actually very few other cars anywhere.  There are 700 permanent residents on the island but we did not see many people, anywhere.  We drove around 3/4 of the island, the road is not along side the water, so you only see trees.  

We then drove to the Lookout Tower.  We had to climb up stairs first, A LOT OF STAIRS, then walk up the tower for the view.  

Unfortunately its only 180 degree view, trees are higher than the tower to the south.  But it is a great view and would have been fantastic if the leaves were more colorful.  The Color Report for this area said trees were only 15% in color at this time.

                                                                       Then back down ....

We had a Island map but the road wasn't clearly mark and we missed the turn that lead to Jackson Harbor and the ferry that goes to Rock Island State Park which is mainly a bird sanctuary.  

We did find the Double K-W Ostrich Farm. It was actually a petting zoo, and once again, we were the only people there.

4.00 a person, the owner showed us an ostrich egg, asked if we wanted to buy any food for the animals, no we'll pass on that.  

 The Ostriches were interested in us...

Walk this way...

Black Bear sunning himself

Pot Bellied Pigs saying HI! 

Llamas were friendly

Camel was interesting..he almost spit on us..gross..

My FAVORITE...the Zeedonk  

zebra donkey

Goats wanted us to feed them..don't they always

Billy Goat Gruff

       These animals were in VERY good shape.  They looked healthy, and their living quarters were clean.  It was really nice to see a petting zoo in such good condition.     The house next to the animals is for sale..farm animals included ...if you want?  Hmm..not sure what that means..

The animals live in the neighboring barns over the cold winter months.  The zoo is open May through to October.

It had been over two hours, so we decided to head back to the ferry dock.  What was this Island all about, I guess you could sum it up by saying quiet but not much else.   Maybe its more bustling in the summer.   There are quite a few lodgings or resorts along the water, mainly on the west side of the island.   How would I compare this island to say...Mackinaw Island?  Well, about the only thing similar is both have bicycle rentals. 

 It takes about an hour to ride around Mackinaw Island, majority of the bike path along the water.  No cars are allowed there, but it's easy to walk to everything.  Washington Island is much bigger, and it would take a long time to ride a bike around this Island and rarely even see the water surrounding it.  They rent Mopeds, there is a full size golf course, and horse stables.  During the summer they have kayak rentals, there is a trolley that can take you to three sites on the island so you don't need to bring your car, there is a nice beach area and it is a major bird flyway.  There are a couple of hands-on museums.  We had fun, it was a nice day to ride around in a convertible and glad we visited but we probably will not be back.  The ferry was full when we came out, no idea where all those vehicles and people were or what they did but the ferry was full again as we got in line to go back.

Waiting for the ferry, we saw this little sailor...

too cute!

Very windy on the ferry on the return trip, but still a very smooth ride.  

Back on the mainland we decided to check in to a hotel, then continue our day of investigating.  We drove through Gills Rock, then Ellison Bay, and decided to stay in Sister Bay.  There are A LOT of places to stay in Door County, so how do you choose?   We did not reserve a room before we left.  First, many of the lodgings online need you to stay three nights, that wasn't our plan.  Second, we wanted to stay somewhere close to somewhere we could eat dinner, and a bar where we could watch the Badger game.  This was the off season, I am sure during the summer choices are limited, but vacancy signs were visible as we drove in the morning to Washington Island, on our trip to pick out a place to stay no vacancy signs were now visible.  Make note, next time get the room first thing in the morning.  Not to worry, Church Hill Inn B&B, looked great.  Happy Hour, full breakfast, whirlpool, outdoor pool (won't be used)  and a really large room.  We chose Wisely!

Cleaned up a bit and headed back out, going north.  Ellison Bluff County Park was the destination.  We passed the sign earlier on Hwy 42, so we had an idea where to go.  First a stop at a Apple Orchard Market, big place, a lot of choices, bought some HoneyCrisp.  Back on Hwy 32 north, turned west at sign, drove over a mile then turned north again onto a gravel road.  Proceeded on this road for over a mile, one car passed us going the other way.  Scott mentioned how I always find the unpaved roads.  Then paved road again, phew, and the area looked like a park.  Then a sign, Lookout.   A short hike.  What a view, worth the trip!

                                                    deck with overlook

                                               another deck, another view

                                                     looking down from deck

Back in the car, no other way out.. back over the gravel road, back onto Hwy 42, north to Door Bluff Headlands County Park.  This park was listed as being primitive, which sounds exciting to me.  Turned off Hwy 42 onto Garret Bay Road, once again it seemed like we were in the middle of nothing.  Then following a sign, we came to a boat launch.  This area had a sign that told about a shipwreck not far off shore.

Traveling upward, further along the road, we entered Door Bluff Headlands County Park and a small parking lot.  We followed a small path,

                                       

  that turned into something less than a path.  Basically, walk where ever it looks like you can.  Look up for tree branches hanging down, look down for tree roots sticking up.  It was starting to get dark, and we would have had to sit down to lower ourselves down the hill way to get to the breakwater rocks along the shoreline.  Fun hike but as they listed it, very primitive.

After all that walking we were hungry.  Back on Hwy 42, back to our hotel.  Shower, happy hour, then we decided to eat at a well known location in Sister Bay.  Al Johnson's.  Yes the place with the goats on the roof.

Al Johnson's established in 1949, has a Swedish theme.  No Abba but plenty of Swedish food.  I had Swedish meatballs, Scott had the special Prime Rib.  Entries were served with Swedish Limpa Bread Basket and Swedish Lingonberry jam.  (we bought a jar of it when we checked out).  Our food was good, nothing spectacular, but we didn't leave hungry.  Then we went to a bar advertising multiple TVs

to watch the uninspired Badgers and the totally pumped Brewers.  A couple hours later, with two wins, we both decided it was a full day!

Next day, after a full course breakfast we checked out and headed to Peninsula State Park, located between Ephraim and Fish Creek.      $5.00 park fee for one hour  (well, it was close to an hour)

                                      We always stop to read the Historical Marker Signs.

                  We took the Shore Road which lead to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, then Eagle Tower.

Strawberry Islands

A" little" Fall Color

This tower was a challenge.  Narrow stairs, Hand rail on one side only and it was super windy!!!

                                                         HorseShoe Island

               

                                            Then we took the Skyline Road

Eventually the amount of cars started to increase.  Peninsula is a camping park with 468 campsites.  There were a lot of campsite being used, lots of people walking and biking.  Views are fantastic.  Just a Beautiful Park!

We said good bye to Peninsula State Park and continued south on 42.  Fish Creek (lots of small colorful stores, then Juddville, then stopped at Egg Harbor Marina.  

Shipwrecked is next door to the Marina.  Its Door County's only Microbrewery.  Even though its 5:00 somewhere, it was only around 10 am here, so we passed on by.

We traveled out on Hwy E to find Stone Throw Winery or Harbor Ridge Winery.  Just as we were about to give up, miles outside of Egg Harbor, we saw their VinoVino sign.  Turned in and saw "Open at 11:00 am".  Oh well, check the map and found a way to connect back to Hwy 42.

Onto Carlsville.  Right on Hwy 42 we came to Door Peninsula Winery.  

This place has everything.  And at 11 am we were not the only people there.

One area was a distillery. One area the wine tasting.  I loved the sunset splash, cranberry and cranberry apple.  Then we went to the Olive Oil tasting.  Chocolate oil was surprising good.  How about a little fudge tasting as well. Snickers yummy.  Of course we bought some bottles of wine and we were on our way.

Next and last stop was Sturgeon Bay for lunch.  I said wouldn't it be cool to find a place on along the water, where we can sit outside and watch the boats go under the bridge.  Well, as we were driving on business 42, kind of like a main street, I suggested turning here...Scott did and we found the perfect place to eat.  Stone Harbor restaurant and pub.

 Sat outside, watched the boats, the bridge go up and down.  Food was great.  Just Perfect!

Then as we traveled over the bridge we had been watching, we say good bye to Door County.

We did a lot in 2 days and had tons of fun.  Of course there was one thing we didn't do.  Shopping, well I did buy something from Peninsula State Park, does that count?  And we did buy apples and wine remember, so technically we shopped.  But we didn't go into any of the cute stores, and there are plenty to chose from.   Shopping is very popular in every town. Maybe next time!

This was the perfect September weekend to go to Door County, it was sunny, warm and we could drive with the top down.   Though I will admit it would have been nice to have more color in the trees.  Unfortunately, in October when trees are the most colorful... Door County is packed.  There are a couple large festivals the first couple weekends, and many lodgings raise their rates because people come to see the fall colors.  As I mentioned many times, we were the only people at a lot of places, which we loved.  So, we will drive north in a few weeks to see the fall colors, but this weekend was to see Door County, and we had a great trip!

    

                         

Dirty Girl Mud Run Year 2

Suzie, Heather and myself just finished our 2nd year of the Dirty Girl Mud Run, benefiting Breast Cancer research.  My sister, Judi, (breast cancer survivor!!!) joined us this year as we crawled, climbed, and got mud in places mud should not be.  This year the Mud Run moved to the Waukesha Expo center which is closer to my home (15 minutes) and also has a lot more parking 'at' the location.  We had visions of more mud obstacles dancing in our heads as we registered, grabbed our free beverage (we chose to have it before rather than after) and dropped off our backpacks at the free storage location.                            

Before Picture (I wore last year's shirt, but soon they would all look the same)

We all were in our places with our bright smiling faces, as we joined up with the rest of our Mud, Sweat and Cheers teammates (girls that Suzie knows through work).

 Soon it was 10:45 and our WAVE took off.  Unfortunately this year I had injured myself just a few days earlier, hip flexor.  I knew there would be things that my stiff hip would not allow me to do, but thanks to my wonderful daughter, sister, and further daughter in law who all stayed with me and helped me when I got stuck, I did a lot more than I expected.
How did this year compare to last..on all counts this year was MUDDIER.   And if you are in a Mud Run, then the more Muddier the BETTER!   There were more than twice as many obstacles, most being mud pits that you had to crawl through and there weren't any lines to wait in because too many people were at an obstacle as happened last year.  The only thing I didn't like about this venue was that the path was laid out like a turnstile in a huge field, which means you see everyone everywhere.  There was one part that takes participants into a wooded area, but the majority is in a open field.  I did like last year's path through the woods, creating obstacles from nature's hills and crevices, which also made it seem private, as if no one was participating except the small group around you...but is that really more fun?  Seeing hundreds and hundreds of females dripping in mud, laughing is quite a sight!
Since I could only do a little gallop because of my hip, we finished the 5K in just over an hour.  The last obstacle was really muddy, crawling 35 feet through 8 inches of mud under a mesh net which is 18 inches off the ground while sprinklers are sprinkling on you as you glide through the mud.  Try to envision that!

Here is our After picture

This year the shower area was better, it was the cattle trough area used during Fair time.  The barn next door was used to change clothes.  We spritzed the mud off our faces and the caked sludge off our clothing but did not try to really clean up there, we saved that for our showers at home.
Overall....What a super fun thing to do with those that your really care about!  Leah and Amy Pizur..NEXT YEAR FOR SURE!!!

Fish Fry Fridays

Two years ago, we started going out on Fridays for Fish Fries.  The number of places we dined grew and grew.  I took notes at many but not all.  Some have turned into our favorite place to go, others not so much.  This is just my opinion, and my notes were very vague when I started.  Did we like the place enough to come back or not?  Did they offer anything unusal?   Read my reviews and maybe you will find a new place to dine or a place to avoid...

Burke’s Landing    3728 Valley Road, Oconomowoc.  We ate here soon after it reopened.  It is located across from Silver Lake and is very pleasant inside with a lot of dark wood, and large booths.  The fish fry was well priced, and we received a small loaf of bread beforehand, which was good.  The fish was ok, batter a little heavy but overall good meal.

5 O’Clock Club  N28 W26658 Peterson Drive.  This restaurant is located above Pewaukee Lake, you can see the water but it’s not on the lake.  We have eaten here quite a few times, and we suggest you get there early for the Fish Fry, it’s a very popular place and it can be quite a wait if you show up around 6pm.  Coleslaw and bread is served as you are seated.  You get Fish and French frys, not AYCE (All You Can Eat).  Scott ordered seafood chowder but thought it was mostly cream soup without much in it. 

Historical Red Mill Inn, 1005 South Elm Grove Road.  This restaurant is located in a residential area, and looks like a home.  Crunchy Beer Battered Cod or Perch or Baked, A choice of Potatoe: sweet potatoe fries, Garlic tator tots, Potatoe pancakes (not always available).  Regular cole slaw, marbled bread.  Not AYCE.  Food was good, it isn’t very big but we came early so did not have to wait. 

Tess  East Side, 2499 N Bartlett Avenue, Milwaukee.  Small restaurant on the corner.  There are a few tables in the bar area already taken, and they had a wedding rehearsal party in the main dining room, so we were ok to eat at the bar. (14.95) Panko Lake Perch or Tempera Battered Talapia, sweet potatoe fries, crispy cole slaw.  Not AYCE but good size portions.  Bartender very friendly, it was good, different from most of the places we have eaten at.

Bluemound Gardens.  There was too long a wait at the new Crowne Restaurant so we (along with Heather and Scott) dined at the Bluemound Gardens on Bluemound road.  No atmosphere to speak of, and the booth we sat in had a rip in the cushion..but if you are looking for the most bang for your buck…this is the place to go.  For 8.95  you get: soup or salad, fries or potato pancakes, egg bread, fried cod or perch and a dessert (pie or cheesecake).  Everything was ok, and service was good.  I would think the perfect place for a family with kids.

Golden Mast  W349 N5293 Lacy’s Lane, Oconomowoc.  This is Scott’s favorite fish fry.  They only take walk ins on Fridays and if you come by 5:30 the cost is $12.95 ($15.95 after).  Potato salad and cole slaw are on the table as you are seated.  Fried (AYCE) or baked cod.  Very fast service and a fantastic view of Okauchee Lake.  

Michaels: 1400 south Grand Avenue, Waukesha.  Italian-American restaurant.  There were quite a few salad and fish options besides the basic Fish Fry and a large menu as well.  We have visited on other days besides Fridays, and their pizza has a nice thin crust.  We get Michael’s coupons in the mail with those discount packs, and are really a great value.  Overall very good.

Serb Hall  5101 W. Oklahoma avenue, Milwaukee.  Go early to avoid the crowd.  This place fills up fast and is a buffet style.  Fish, other seafood options, variety of potatoes, salad are all offered.  You end up with a lot on your plate.  There was also a dessert table.  Scott like the basic fish fry the best, since I liked the baked cod overall.

Sand Bar  W278 N2315 Prospect Avenue, on the south shore of Pewaukee Lake.  Outside dining with your feet in the sand.  Not fancy but very enjoyable.  I had a cod fish sandwich which was good, Scott had the basic fish fry Cod $10.00 (also Perch is $12) which was average.  Service a little slow but since you are sitting next to the marina, there is a lot of activity so it’s all good.  I have also eaten here on other nights, and their Burger on a pretzel bun  and sweet potato fries  is really good.

Foolery  N52 W35090 Lake Drive.  Just over the bridge from Golden Mast on Okauchee Lake.  Once again outdoor dining is available (but in early spring we stopped here for lunch on a Sunday and sat inside with a great view of the lake).  The Cod Fish Fry had crunchy batter which I really liked, with baked vegetables, and small potatoes.  The setting outside is so relaxing. 

Brookfield Suites  located inside the Brookfield Suites on Moreland.  The first time we ate here we were the only people which surprised us because the food was extremely good.  First you visit the soup and salad bar which was very good.  Baked or Fried Fish and fries or potato pancakes.  This was the first place that offered syrup for the pancakes rather than applesauce, and I loved it.  We have gone back a few times, and though never crowded, there usually is a fair amount of people dining.

Hoggs Alley 2008 N Venice Beach Road, Oconomowoc.  This place has a following.  We went early but not early enough and had a long wait.  Too long, over an hour and a half and the main reason is because the restaurant is very small.  We finally sit and are almost rubbing elbows with the table next to us.  They offer Cod $10.00, Walleye $12.00, Perch $11.00 and I tried the BlueGills $11.00 which had a heavy flavor to them and I did not like it.  Scott had the Cod and it was ok but the crowded noisy room just was not relaxing.  We would not go back.

Curly’s Waterfront Bar & Grill.  On Pewaukee Lake by the boat launch.  The Bar & Grill is located on the 2^nd floor and we ate out on the patio that surrounds the whole bar & grill.   Cod $10 or AYCE $12.00.  I had the fish sandwich which was good and Scott liked the Cod.  Fries no other extras.  It’s not directly on the water but sitting in the shade watching the boat launch was relaxing.

Bubs Irish Pub   On Main Street in Germantown.  I liked this place more than Scott did.  There were five choices for potatoes: steak fries, buffalo fries, baked potate, seasoned fries, Potate pancakes.  You can choose from Batter Fried Haddock (I had), Seasoned Haddock or Baked Haddock (scott had) AYCE  all for $10.00.   We were there early, there were not a lot of people there yet but service was a little slow.   This place is very large inside and listed many specials on other days of the week.

Johnny Manhattan  3718 Hubertus Road, Hubertus.  We both liked this place a Lot!  We have been there a couple times and once with Joe and Julie.  There are a lot of rooms, so it seats more than it looks from the outside.  There are lots of old rat pack pictures, but I don’t know the history there.  After you are seated you get potato salad, cole slaw, and pasta salad to nibble on as you decide on what to order.  AYCE Fish fry, bake or fried or a combo of both.  I had the baked once and the combo both are very good.  I also had their French onion soup which was fantastic. 

Delafield Brewhaus   3832 Hillside Drive, Delafield  Their Wisconsin Fish Fry is amber battered cod, fries or potato salad or baked potato.  Other options breaded perch or broiled cod.  We had the battered cod and it was crunchy, the way I like it.   Heather and Scott had dined here before we did and did not have a good meal.  Their fish fry was not cooked thoroughly.  Ours was fine. 

7 Seas  1807 Nagawicka Road, Hartland  Similar menu to Golden Mast but without the early eating discount.  AYCE Cod, baked or Fried or Chicken.  Potato salad and cole slaw also similar for $15.95. Variety of rooms to dine in, we had a view of the lake.  Fish was not exactly the same, a little greasier maybe. 

Weissgerber’s Gasthaus and Beer Garden  2720 N Grandview Blvd.   Grouped with 7Seas and Golden Mast, Weissgerber’s has the same sides (cole slaw and potato salad) AYCE Fried Cod, and Baked Cod for $15.95 but like  7Seas, they don’t offer the early dining discount.  The German décor is very appealing, and puts you in the mood for a stein of beer.

Schwabenhof’s    Large hall, lots of people, 10.95 Fish Fry or Fried Chicken or combo.  It must be the price that brings in the people because the fish was just so-so. 

Waukesha’s Elks   2301 Springdale Road.  Everyone once in a while they put up a sign that says Fish Fry this coming Friday.  I saw the sign coming home and we tried it out.  It was very popular with Elk’s members.  You order as you walk in, go to the bar and buy yourself something to drink, then find a seat.  Definitely an older group of diners.  Fish was just so-so, would not go back.

American Legion  3245 N 124^th street, Brookfield.  Similar to the two above, this place has a following, and the greeters are extremely proud of their members.  Here you find a seat and someone comes and takes your order, which is basic fish fry, fries, and rye bread.  Fish was just so-so (which if you haven’t figured out is my way of saying we didn’t really like it). 

There was another American Legion place we stopped at in Waukesha.  You order as you come in, and they lost our order.  There were only a hand full of people in the place, 45 minutes after arriving, someone came up to us and asked what we ordered.  DUH.  A half hour later we finally got some fish, which was bland.  We were happy to leave.

That’s it for this segment.  I apologize that I did not include prices for everything or even the specific fish offered, but when I started taking notes they were very general.  I would like to continue reviewing restaurants, but may do reviews of more than just for Fish Fries and will establish some kind of rating system.   Until then:   Eat, Drink, and Enjoy!

For Suzie's bachelorette party we went to Hamburger Mary's.  Located at 2130 Kinnickinnic Avenue in Milwaukee, Hamburger Mary's is a "bar & grille for open minded people".

The first one opened in 1972 in San Francisco and though that particular one is no longer in operation, there are 12 Hamburger Mary's located across the US.  You can stop in for lunch or dinner or on Saturdays or Sundays they offer a brunch or come later in the evening and enjoy cocktails and one or two shows.  Cross Dressing or Drag shows are the theme of the evening and the "Mary" in the title is a slang descriptor used for gay men as far back at early
1900s. 
Hamburger Mary's is listed as the Bachelorette and Birthday Headquarters.  
If you are the birthday person, or bride to be, you get extra attention during the show by the performers.
The food was good, drinks arrived quickly and our waiter was very attentive.  I felt it took longer than usual to first get our appetizers, and then the food.  Our food arrived just before the show started, an hour after arriving there.  Our hamburger was good (I split one with Amy and it was nicely cut in half with fries divided evenly on both our plates, which was a nice touch).  
So, the show..hmmm, what can I say, when a picture can say it all:

 The shows were loud, with music blaring, people laughing and shouting, performers performing.  Harmony Breeze and Shannon DuPree are two names of performers this particular evening.

I can not post any pictures from the later show. It was more risque.  There were a few see through outfits, so use your imagination.

These shows are probably not for everyone but we laughed, drank, and watched a lot of body parts shaking.  Overall, it was a lot of fun!

Retzler Nature Center

Its been a while since Jackie, Kathy and myself had an outside adventure.  We decided it was time to enjoy the 70 degree weather by hiking somewhere.  Retzler Nature Center is located in Waukesha and was the destination we settled on.  I checked the Retzler Nature Center website, and found only vague information.  It was mentioned that there are hiking paths at the center, but not much else was described.  There is also a planetarium at the center and it's a hot spot for elementary school field trips.  The center is very easy to find, and well marked.  We found a bench, ate our lunch then checked out the map at the site.

Quite a few paths were indicated, we decided to start with the Red Nature Trail and it turned into a path that worked its way around the whole area.  There were a few hills but nothing challenging.  The whole area was mostly prairie land but did have a nice overlook of the countryside.  In no time we were back where we started and decided to follow the Blue Prairie Pond Trail.  

We came upon a coral of snowshoes which means during the winter they must rent them out for hiking.  Sounds like fun, another idea for a future blog!

At the pond we found a lot of frogs, but I would hardly call them active.  Actually they seemed like they were still in a hibernating trance.

 The tadpoles were active though, swimming in pools along the shoreline.

Overall, I would rate this hike just average, a 5 out of 10.  The topography was pretty much the same everywhere.  Easy walking as its mainly a large prairie with some trees here and there.
I believe this Nature Center is more geared towards teaching school kids about prairie life and the environment as it had a large display on composting and compost bins.   The whole area was extremely clean, and there is no parking fee.  Entrance fee for the Planetarium for the general public is $4.00.  Retzler Nature Center is located off Hwy 18 (Summit) then south on Madison Street/Co Hwy T, watch for Retzler Nature Center sign.

Matthew and Gunnar's salute to Ricky Nelson

Kathy invited me to join her at Potawatomi's Northern Lights theater featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson's salute to Ricky Nelson.  Of course, besides just reviewing the show I wanted to share a few things I learned while enjoying the evening.

 I can honestly say I was never a fan of the Nelson brothers, but I do remember Ricky Nelson, first from the  Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, then of course when he became a "teen idol".  Now I am not quite old enough to be a groupie from his early days I have always enjoyed his songs and his charming persona.
If you don't know Matthew and Gunnar, they are Rick Nelson's twins, born in 1967, who grew up among singers and celebraties and when they were teenagers made their own band called Nelson.  When they introduced themselves to the audience, they said.. "maybe you remember when we looked like swedish girls."

 When entertainers can laugh at themselves you know they are enjoying what they are doing and they couldn't stress enough how much they loved and admired their father and grandparents.

This concert was full of film clips of the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet which aired from 1952 to 1966, with Ricky as a young boy on the show with his older brother, David.  Ozzie and Harriet were their real life parents.  When you look at it now, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was similar to today's reality shows that follow the everyday life of a family.  Ozzie liked to take things from their real family life and add them to the shows story line  One day Ozzie saw Ricky singing and playing the guitar in his room, before long Ricky started singing regularly on the show and his teen star status took off.

 Here he is on the show impersonating Elvis.

 He also starred with John Wayne, and Dean Martin in Rio Bravo.

Matthew and Gunnar sang a lot of songs, starting with Ricky's earliest hits, Mary Lou, Its Late, Its Up To You, Here She Comes, and others... then did a few of the songs they did as Nelson, Can't Live Without Your Love and After the Rain.
When Nelson's song Can't Live Without Your Love, hit number 1 in September 1990, they became the only family to reach number one record status in three generations beginning with Ozzie (In 1935 Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra had a number one hit with "And Then Some") and are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Matthew and Gunnar then did the songs Rick recorded in the late 70s, Traveling Man and one of my favorites Garden Party, which Rick wrote after a Madison Square Garden reunion show in 1972 where he was booed because he sang his newer country-tinged songs rather than his old hits.  Rick Nelson died in a plane crash December 31, 1985.

Matthew and Gunnar were very impressed with the Northern Lights Theater, they have performed here numerous times,  They are looking forward to their next concert here this fall which is away from the Salute to their father and will center on music that took place when they were Nelson, along with other performers from that time that they called "Big Hair"?

The last thing they told the audience was more about their extended family.  That their brother Sam looks exactly like their dad, that their sis Tracey is an actress (she was in Square Pegs in 1982, A League of Their Own, and played a nun in the Father Downling Mysteries series.)  Their mother's brother/their uncle is Mark Harmon.

There were around 200+ people in the theater which was the 2nd of a two night concert. They offered to meet everyone after the show and the line was pretty long for those that were excited to meet them and take a picture.  Overall, a very entertaining night, great songs and great performers.