Consider quaint in Wisconsin’s Door County
Flower boxes at Bea’s Ho-made
After a frustrating car accident that left me with a badly broken foot, I was forced to slow down. This summer's vacation was supposed to be a hiking adventure. And even though I could walk again by June, I could not fathom a climb. I needed to consider quaint vistas and restorative walks and cups of coffee. Door county hit the spot.
Sunset at Sister Bay
Springing out from Green Bay, the peninsula that makes up Door County leads you on a trail of cherries, farms, and delightful sea towns. It is relatively unspoiled by large tourist traffic. It was heavenly. I have lived most of my life in the heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic region, and Wisconsin's beautifully fresh air was such a respite. We enjoyed almost every place we visited. There are bohemian coffee shops, cozy restaurants, pick-ur-own cherry orchards, and outdoor activities all along its coasts.
The Potawatomi people and others nations were the first peoples to settle on the peninsula. In the 1600s, French explorers began to navigate to the region in order to establish trade routes and settlements. The native populations were sadly relocated by order of the 1830 Indian Removal Act.
Jars of cherries at Bea’s Ho-Made
The newer settlers named the peninsula after the virtually unnavigable strait called Death's Door (la Porte de la Mort). Many sailing ships had foundered there. A farmer successfully grew apple trees which prompted the other fruit-growers with the help of the University of Wisconsin’s Horticulture Department to test other fruits. In 1896 they declared that the tart Montmorency cherry had the best prospects. By the 1950s, Door County would harvest 10% of the cherries grown in the United States annually.
The county is dotted with cherry orchards and stores all touting wonderful cherry based products. We sampled an amazing pie from Bea's Ho-made and bought a large jar of their cherries in hopes of enjoying them later in our own pie or as a garnish for a beautiful cocktail.
PLACES WE ENJOYED:
Fresh bushels of radishes at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market
Kick Coffee • Sturgeon Bay.
Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market • Sturgeon Bay • We enjoyed our stroll down through the streets at this lovely little market. There were cheesemongers, grocers, jewelers, woodworkers, and myriad other crafters. There was even a house on the corner that had a train set village complete with dinosaurs constructed in their front yard.
Wanderlust Hotel • Sturgeon Bay •. A charming hotel in an old victorian home. Beautiful antiques adorned each room. Delightful location with great amenities.
Wanderlust Hotel in Sturgeon Bay, WI
Mauricio's Food Truck • Egg Harbor. •. This was a tasty find. Great street tacos and some gorgeous guacamole that you could eat with a spoon.
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik • Sister Bay. •. This was the "touristiest" place we tried. It normally has goats that eat grass off their low-hung roofs, but we did not get to see them. Despite the lack of goats, the restaurant is spacious and accommodating. We loved the cornhole sets and the beef sliders. Perfect evening in the breezy Wisconsin summer. And across the street is a quiet little beach to take pictures of the sunset.
Sip Coffeehouse • Ephraim • I loved everything about this adorable coffeehouse. The decorations were so intriguing. And the outdoor tables and couches were perfect way to greet a morning on vacation.
Sip Coffeehouse in Ephraim
Anderson Dock • Ephraim •. This is instagram worthy charm! Enjoy the view of the Green Bay and explore the colorful graffiti that marks all sorts of milestones in other people's lives.
Bea's Ho-Made Products • Ellison Bay. • This is a great place for pie and any cherry products.
Anderson Dock in Ephraim
Washington Island Ferry • Washington Island. *. The only way on to Washington Island. The refreshing 30 minute ride goes by quickly.
Hotel Washington Restaurant and Studio • Washington Island. •. I loved this place from the time I made a reservation. The owner is such a welcoming and generous soul. They strive to stock their kitchen with products produced on the island. We had an impressively curated meal on their front porch with a fabulous view of the setting sun.
Hotel Washington Restaurant & Studio
Jackson Harbor Soup • Washington Island • What an appealing way to eat a meal on the shore overlooking Lake Michigan. Get there early, because they get busy and sell out sometimes.
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm • Washington Island. •. What could be bad on a lavender farm. The scent in the air is heavenly. They have a wide range of lavender based products (including the oil that they distill on the property.) You can harvest your own in season or buy a special bouquet. It's a great place for beautiful photos and selfies.
Lavender at Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm on Washington Island
Jacobsen Museum and Little Lake Preserve hike • Washington Island • This site was hand built with cedar logs by outdoor enthusiast and island resident Jens Jacobsen. The museum is a tiny treasure trove of historical objects, maps, and images from the island.
Nelsen's Hall Bitters Club • Washington Island. •. This place loves to have its visitor's share in its bitter-drinking history. As the tale goes, its owner obtained a pharmacists license just before prohibition and served 90 proof bitters openly at his establishment until the unpopular restriction was repealed. I took a shot of Angustura and survived.
Mountain Park and Lookout Tower • Washington Island. •. This lookout gives you a fairly nice view of the north of the island. It's worth the walk up.
Velkommen Coffeepot on Washington Island
Marina in Ephraim
Sunset at Sister Bay
