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Circumnavigating the Peninsula by Kayak

Mike McCarthy is on a mission to bring awareness to Door County’s maritime history and the ecology of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The co-owner of the Village Green Lodge in Ephraim will pedal his Hobie Outback kayak with a Mirage Drive pedaling apparatus more than 110 miles – solo.

He’ll share his kayaking experience on social media and through a short film, aiming to raise $5,000 for the Door County Maritime Museum through his GoFundMe page. (Donate at GoFundMe Peddling around the Door.) 

Sonar readings, water temperatures and GPS coordinates taken by a Lowrance fish finder attached to his kayak will be shared with Wisconsin Sea Grant for study. McCarthy will also show the sometimes-hard-to-find locations of silent-sport launch sites around Door County as a means to stimulate creating a designated paddling/pedaling trail.

“If anyone gets a little bit of joy, a little respite, from sharing this experience with me, and focusing their energies on the maritime museum’s programs, awareness or action of our water’s ecology, or the creation of a designated kayak trail, it will be worth the effort.”

McCarthy will launch his kayak June 22, 2 pm, from the Ephraim Visitor Center. Any kayakers, canoers or SUPers are invited to join McCarthy for any legs of his journey. Expedition supporters include Waseda Farms, Ephraim Coffee Lab, The Red Putter, Door County Digital, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Ephraim Business Council, Door County Maritime Museum, Village Green Lodge, and Oh! What a Sunset! Guided Hobie Kayak Tours.