Log Jam

No one knows exactly how long the log has rested here in Tennison Bay, but it has the look of something that has journeyed far before finding its final place along the shore. Perhaps it was once part of a great tree that stood tall on the Niagara Escarpment, its roots gripping the limestone cliffs above the bay. Maybe a storm, fierce and unrelenting, wrenched it free decades ago, sending it tumbling into the water, where waves and time stripped it of bark, smoothing its surface until only a weathered relic remained. It could have drifted for years, caught in the rhythm of Green Bay’s currents, knocking against the rocky shoreline of Chambers Island or rolling in the open waters near Horseshoe Island before finally washing up here, where it now rests—an unspoken storyteller of the lake’s restless past.

Tennison Bay, part of Peninsula State Park’s protected shoreline, is a place of both movement and stillness. While this log has settled, the water is always shifting—sometimes gently lapping at the shore, sometimes churning with the energy of an oncoming storm. Paddlers favor this bay for its relative calm, slipping their kayaks into the glassy water at sunrise, when the first light sets the waves shimmering. Boaters anchor here, taking in the park’s towering trees and rugged shoreline, while just beyond the bend, campers settle in beneath the stars, their fires flickering against the darkening sky.

Beyond the boundaries of the park, Tennison Bay connects to the wider rhythms of northern Door County. Fish Creek, just to the south, hums with activity in the summer, its waterfront bustling with boaters, diners, and artists who come to capture the magic of this place. Once a fishing village, the town has transformed into a cultural hub, where historic buildings house everything from fine art galleries to charming cafés. Northward, Ephraim offers a quieter contrast—its Scandinavian heritage reflected in the white buildings that line Eagle Harbor. Here, life moves at a slower pace, with sailboats drifting lazily in the bay and sunsets turning the sky into a masterpiece of gold and crimson.

But even in these lively communities, the water remains the constant—the same water that once carried this log on its unknown journey. Whether carved by time or shaped by the hands of history, every piece of Door County’s shoreline holds a story. Some are well-documented in the memories of those who have called this place home for generations. Others, like the tale of this log, remain a mystery, left for us to imagine as we stand at the edge of the lake, listening to the quiet whisper of the waves.

All prints are of museum quality and printed in The USA. Canvas Prints are wrapped around a hardwood frame to prevent long-term wrapping and utilize a 0.75" thick wrap. Metal Prints are glossy, vibrant, and of course are ready to hang.  These prints make a statement and bring Door County home to your wall.