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Time flies; it feels like just yesterday I posted about the database and our visit to Cedar Creek Winery. Since then, Katy and I have been quite busy. Today’s post is about our exciting trip to Door County, Wisconsin. In the queue for upcoming blogs, I’ve got a Vineyard 29 tasting, two other Central Indiana wineries, a trip to a lake and an ocean, and—finally—National Tequila Day, featuring tequila wine.
For those who haven’t heard of Door County, WI, it’s a picturesque peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, with breathtaking water views and dramatic landscapes: rugged shorelines, sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, and lush forests. We also explored Washington Island, at the northern tip of Door County, which has its own unique charm and attractions, including lavender fields, a historic lighthouse, a Scandinavian heritage center, and great opportunities for outdoor activities like biking and kayaking. It’s a favorite destination for travelers seeking a more secluded, serene experience within Door County.
Travel Style
Let me share a bit about our travel style, which we fondly call “roller brushes.” Some might say we don’t plan much—and to an extent, that’s true—but we do keep a general game plan. Our approach isn’t for everyone, but it works wonderfully for us. We love making spontaneous decisions, and once we commit to something, we pursue it with full enthusiasm and no second-guessing. Surprises are part of the adventure. While we may miss some events because of our spontaneous nature, we believe in being fully present in each moment rather than dwelling on what might have been.
During our time in Door County, we set out to visit wineries, hike, enjoy delicious food, and simply have a great time. But, as often happens with travel, circumstances beyond our control cut our stay a bit shorter than we’d hoped.
Things Happen
Things happen. Our base for the trip was Baileys Harbor. Because our new schedule meant we couldn’t have dinner there the first night, we opted for a late lunch in Madison, WI. Fortunately, I had brought along two bottles of 2018 Portrait Ehlers Estate. If you’re going to skip dinner, a glass of Ehlers makes a pretty good stand-in.
Ehlers wasn’t the winery that first got me into wine, but their “1886” Cabernet Sauvignon was my introduction to more expensive bottles. Years ago, Tasteful Times invited us to a tasting where we met several people from Ehlers, which strengthened my connection to the winery—especially since they dedicate their profits to funding cardiovascular research. These days, I have about three cases of their wines, covering a range of vintages.
Click the picture to see more information about Ehler’s great story
Next Day
The following day, we rode our bikes to breakfast, then took a short hike along the shoreline to soak in the beauty. Afterward, we jumped in the vehicle and headed north toward the ferry for Washington Island.
I’m old-school and have always loved paper maps, but these days it’s all smartphones and whatever route the app thinks is most efficient. The drive to the ferry isn’t long—maybe 20–30 miles (though I could be wrong). We were all a bit puzzled when the smartphone directed us to bypass Sister Bay and wind along backcountry roads instead of going through the small town. We thought about it for all of 10 seconds, then let it go. Our minds were on one thing: catching the ferry to Washington Island.
The island’s beauty and the sense of relaxation were incredible. At one point, though, we had a brief scare about the time. We discovered that the northern part of Washington Island is actually in the Eastern Time Zone, unlike the rest of Wisconsin, which is in Central Time. For a moment, we believed we’d lost an hour and might miss the ferry back. Fortunately, as we drove south toward the ferry, we “gained” that hour back, and everything worked out fine.
The Unexpected
Back on the mainland of Door County, our smartphone unexpectedly routed us through Sister Bay. We didn’t give it much thought until we had already passed through the small town, where it felt as if some wild, joyful festival was underway. People filled the streets, and the whole place buzzed with energy—like an enormous beer garden where every storefront, restaurant, and park was hosting its own party. Later, we learned that we’d just missed the 9th annual Roofing of the Goats Parade and Festival, which only made us more curious. Still, we embraced the detour and had a fantastic day. Moments like these are the essence of travel: stumbling into surprises and discovering new experiences. And now I know there’s a festival we absolutely have to attend soon.
Maybe I should lean into these crazy things that small towns celebrate. As we reminisced about our wanderlust, we thought of other offbeat traditions we’ve stumbled upon, like the flaming tar barrels in Ottery St Mary, England, in the fall of 2018—a tradition that’s been going for more than 500 years—along with countless other unforgettable moments.
Click on the picture to see more of my photos from that one-of-a-kind celebration
Okay, squirrel! Back in Baileys Bay, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner, then wrapped up the day at a local brewery, savoring the regional flavors as we played a board game.
On our final day, we visited another small town for a delightful breakfast before starting the eight-hour drive home.
Traveling with roller brushes lets us embrace surprises and truly experience the essence of exploration. Each journey becomes another chapter in our book of memories—and we’re already looking forward to the next adventure.
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