Door County 2021

DOOR COUNTY TIME ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PLACES IN THE WORLD EVEN THOUGH WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP RECENTLY MY DEAR HUSBAND UTTERED “IT’S FINE, BUT I LIKE LAKE SUPERIOR BETTER”. WHATEVER, LOSER, YOU’RE WRONG.

Friends! Welcome back to the blog! I am determined to knock out a few posts this month, even though it’s also busy season at work and right now it’s 9pm and I’m simultaneously working on some yearly bibliometrics for one of my Editorial Boards while knocking this out. YOLO, baby. Let’s get on with it.

First off: when we took this trip it was in that short “honeymoon phase” of COVID, when we all thought the end was surely in sight and we were mostly vaccinated and feelin’ fine and integrating into the Real World. Pre Delta-Variant. We last-minute booked an airbnb condo and packed up the car and stopped at Grace for their gorgeous cold brew that even small children worship.

We had a close-call rear-end incident with a huge truck and we didn’t even care! Three hours of driving and woohoo! Who cares we’re on an adventure! And you know you’re getting there when you hit the Cape Cod motel.

And voila: our airbnb. It was a small condo, but bright and clean and the location could not be beat.

It has been a LONG time since we have traveled and booked an airbnb for a few nights, so a bit of acclimation time was needed. We unpacked, turned on the TV, cracked open some neon-green Mountain Dews, and slowly explored the surroundings before we ventured off the property.

(I checked out the yard situation and y’all: it was cute! Solid landscaping, several chairs and grills, a gazebo, EVEN A FOUNTAIN. FANCY.)

Anyway: eventually we felt ready to check out Ephraim. And boy oh boy, but did we end up in a prime location: down the street, hang a left, enjoy. Boom.

Restaurants galore in this area, but it was Wilson’s calling to us that evening. Wilson’s is a Door County landmark, around since 1906. Known for their vintage flame-broil grill and original soda fountain, it’s the perfect spot to stop for a burger basket or a cone to enjoy as you walk the shoreline across the street.

There was a line when we arrived, but we found out pretty quickly that the line was actually for the soda fountain/ice cream counter inside. Outdoor seating was ready and waiting, so we scored a seat right away. Bring on the ice-cream floats, yo.

Pete got a classic root-beer float and Linus got a Crush float. They put a good dent in them before the food arrived.

I had not had a hot, fresh restaurant burger in a year and a half and lemme tell you: it was worth every last beautiful calorie.

After dinner we walked the shoreline area, known as Eagle Harbor. We were gifted that classic “cotton candy” sunset that the Great Lakes are known for.

Then back to our condo to settle in for the evening and get a good night’s rest.

The next day we headed off to Washington Island, which I already posted about (months ago, whoops…).

After Washington Island, my boys were pretty worn out. We’re not used to traveling and constantly being on the go, I guess? We got back to the condo and relaxed a bit. And another bit. And then a bit longer… I was starting to get antsy, though. WE WERE NOT HERE TO JUST SIT AROUND INSIDE A CONDO ALL DAY. So I set off on my own with my camera, in the misty rain, to explore a moody Ephraim.

I got back just in time to figure out dinner – we dragged some frozen pizzas along and a bagged salad, and no one felt like leaving (…STILL?!?), so pizza + salad + an ice-cold beer it was.

Also I took a picture of the box of frozen bread sticks we brought, it was some random brand I found at Woody’s but most importantly they tasted exactly like Gumby’s Pokey Stix (!!!), but alas: I cleared my memory card before downloading that picture. Rats. I guess we’ll see if the fates align to bring you back into our lives, Dupe Pokey Stix.

The next day we woke up to a slight fog and more drizzly, rainy weather. Womp, womp.

Only one thing to do to beat the rainy blues, and that is: shopping, baby. Bring on those little farm markets.

Like Koepsel’s!

Another Door County staple, this place has been around since the early 1950s. Great selection of jellies, jams, pickled goods, candies, smoked fish, ALL THE GOOD STUFF. EVEN BAKED GOODS.

Grabbed some of the classic frozen Door Co. cherries to bring home, still haven’t used them. In the wintertime when I was young, my parents made Sunday cherry muffins with them, maybe that’s going to be the way we go? We shall see!

After spending a bajillion dollars here, it was time to move on south and see what else there was to see in the rain.

First: a stop for some cheese and goat-milk gelato.

The salted caramel gelato was AMAZING. So buttery. Big thumbs up.

The chocolate was great as well, but didn’t compare to the salted caramel sorreh.

After stocking up on goods in Sister Bay (including plushie goats, naturally), it was time to go to the Bailey’s Habor Farmer’s Market.

After the market, we walked down to Door Co. Brewery to grab some lunch. Which, unfortunately: was not serving food that day.

So we headed to Cornerstone Pub instead. A soccer-themed spot with a decidedly English vibe, they had immediate seating, solid Bloody Marys, and great food. Can’t complain.

After lunch we decided to head home, but not before a stop at our beloved Schartner’s. Best pie in Door County, mark my words. We scored some cherry pie and got a few other farm-fresh goods, and were on our way. It was wet and rainy most of our trip, but was still a good one.

And that was it, babes! I have a deep love for Door County (Scott’s sentiments be damned), and can’t wait to go back. Hurry up and get here so you can leave again, winter.