Door County Respite

For the last few years, once or twice per year, Julia and I arrange for a caregiver to come stay with our son Justin for a couple of days to give ourselves some alone time.  Justin loves it when “Steve” comes because the two of them stay up late, watch tv, play video games, and order out food.  Steve is familiar with Justin and the special needs of a power wheelchair user, so we never worry when Steve is in charge.

Last weekend, we took our respite weekend to Baily’s Harbor in Door County, which is located near the tip of the thumb of Wisconsin on the Lake Michigan side.  It’s a popular tourist area, especially for wealthy flat-landers who understandably seek to escape from Illinois.  The Lake Michigan side of the peninsula is known as the “quiet side” of the lake, where there are fewer souvenir shops and galleries and perhaps more locals and cherry orchards.  

March 23

We drove up on Friday, electing to travel first to Sheboygan and then meander up the lake shore to our Door County destination. One of our favorite spots in Sheboygan during the summer is the Harbor Centre, where vibrant restaurants and bars serve people strolling along the Lake Michigan’s shore and piers.  Things are a bit different in late March; we found many of our favorite spots not open for lunch on Friday and not many people out enjoying the breezy weather.

We did find one open bar and ate a “light” Wisconsin lunch of fried fish sandwiches (perch or cod) and coleslaw.  Then we continued driving up the coastline, past the nuclear power plants, until we entered Door County.  After checking into our AirBnb room just outside Bailey’s Harbor, we drove to Egg Harbor on the other side to enjoy the sunset. Then we ate burgers at Peninsula pub with craft beers.  I had the Land and Sea (1/3 pound burger with a walleye fillet) and a Naughty Faye porter by O’so Brewing.  Both hit the spot. We finished the evening at Door County Brewing back in Bailey’s Harbor.

March 24

We drove to Peninsula State Park in the morning and hiked several snowshoe trails that featured mostly ice, not snow.  The footing was hazardous, but Julia toughed it out. We treated ourselves to wood-fired pizza and specialty beers.

 The waiter talked me into the beer on the right, which was the most expensive beer that I have ever had.  He didn’t tell me the price, and I won’t confess here.  It was a Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout on draft, an imperial stout finished in bourbon barrels.  Because I’m a frugal person, I’d like to say that it was overpriced and overrated by the waiter.  But it wasn’t.  It was an incredible, balanced imperial stout that warmed every part of me.  I’m just not going to mention the price–ever.

During the afternoon, we went back to the quiet side of the Lake and experienced Cave Point County Park, a winter wonderland.  Lake Michigan’s waves crash into the side of the bluffs, creating natural works of art.

 We finished the day by hiking on the beach at Whitefish Dunes State Natural Area.  Hiking on the beach in March was a great way to wrap up a relaxing weekend together.