Memoirs of a Geezer!
Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth
to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!
This Episode: Hearts Remain and More Amour in County Door!
Six of us trooped single file, squeezing in to savor the much-awaiting delights of a favorite frozen confection, some drooling in anticipation as we struggled through the already-gathered
throng that glutted the parlor. Tad, with his quick-wit and well-honed sense of funny, immediately spotted the missing "h" identifying a featured flavor boldly printed on the black board behind the counter. From then on -- this having occurred about three years ago -- Wilson's of Ephraim in Door County has been known affectionately as "Cookie Doug's." Sweetheart craves "peppermint stick" throughout the year in eager anticipation. Others of us scan the choices and select various different flavors, with oreo and those flavors that include caramel -- "cookie dough" too, of course, often topping the flavor choices "scoops parade."
Often described as the "Thumb," sometimes equated to seaside portions of New England, it's an imperative annual destination for many summer and fall, even winter!, holiday travelers and vacationers. For those of us addicted to its many pleasures and gorgeous sights, it calls to us, draws us into its welcoming embrace year after year. Door Country, Wisconsin -- or as I prefer,
"County Door" (homage to Ireland and the Irish, here and there!) -- never fails to excite and delight us, our family, Sweetheart and me.
This year was no different. We met Julius Caesar and Company at Door Shakespeare's breezy and bucolic out-of-doors setting, biked in Peninsula State Park, picnicked and swam at Nicolet Bay Beach, gorged on ice cream at "Cookie Doug's," had Wild Tomato pizza on the shores of and overlooking beautiful Eagle Harbor, attended a family-oriented play at Northern Sky Theatre... We even kayaked for the first time ever! (I think we passed Lewis and Clark, or was it Marquette and Nicolet ??!! Anyway, we waved pleasantly!)
When we have an unobstructed choice, we prefer to stay in Ephraim. Its central location is a plus, and Leroy's Coffee house is the best in the County. Good coffee is a must, a daily obsession. And, of course, Ephraim is the home of Cookie Doug! This year, owing to VRBO
and other factors, we settled on a "Cabin in the Woods" just outside of the town of Egg Harbor. An excellent choice in many ways, but there were a dead moose, I think, and a deceased elk on the walls, their antlered heads poking through the plaster! (Musta' been traveling real fast to escape gunslingers!!)
Restaurants? Did you ask about restaurants? Naturally, we have some big favorites. They include but are not limited to Julie's in Fish Creek (try the brown-rice stir fry and the pork dish that served with a cherry sauce!), Blue Horse, also Fish Creek (billed as a coffee house but with great food as well!), J.J.'s La Puerta in Sister Bay... If you happen to be obsessed with the
traditional Fish Fry, you gotta dine at the Shoreline in Gills Rock! Great View! Excellent! Yummy! (Various random reviews from the "Door Chronicle," or an organ of that nature!)
And wildlife! I mean, there's so much wildlife to be seen and heard. Sweetheart and I had a delightful interaction with a deer on a country road just north of the heart of Ephraim. (Hmmm... heart and hart... not a bad juxtaposition of homophones, eh?!) We were ambling along on our daily walk or hike, as one may prefer, and spotted a friendly mama deer with three fawns trailing behind her. When the fawns were safely ahead, the doe turned to look at us. I think she gave us a cheerful wink! Maybe? We spotted lots of wild turkeys, an owl, hawks and several additional species of birds... other creatures too, those confined to ground vs. air! The Mink River Trail! Almost forgot... it's a great hike, and one of our...
...favorite places to see and visit? Glad you asked! Cave Point, for example. Coen loved the sight of the huge swells that morphed into exploding waves in a wildly windy twilight. Lucy, too, enjoyed the Point, but stood well back from the spray. I enthralled the grandkids, telling them how my brother and I, as boys, leapt from one of the precipices into the breaking surf at Cave Point. Don't know if they allow people to do that anymore!? But I showed them the exact spot from which we dove or leapt. Other great places for visiting, trekking and traveling: The Dunes at Whitefish Bay, the Ferry to Washington Island, and the smaller one to Rock Island, Ellison Bay Country Park, where if you brave the steep climb to and from the water's edge, you can enjoy a terrific variety of cairns, even build your own. And Lighthouses!... Cana Island, Eagle Bluff, Sherwood Point...!
Sadly, my great friend "L.L." was unable to enjoy the County this season. As he put it so poetically, "The Door was closed to me this year..." His family members tend to prefer the Alpine Resort just outside of Egg Harbor. Down the road a piece is Frank Murphy County Park, where, it is said, John Dillinger took refuge from his usual career choice and the law. (Or was it some other notorious gangland figure? Where's my book of odd history??...)
One last note of great importance: See that picture of "Cookie Doug's," upper right corner? It was taken by Alie! I asked her as she was poised to shoot, "Do you need us to get out of the frame?" A woman nearby, about to enter the parlor, said, "Well, if you want me to... well, see here! I'm not with any of you... I... (mumble, snerble, grubble, snorg...). (We missed or can't seem to recall the remainder of her vocalized umbrage! The "mumble words" are a humble attempt!) Once again, the Door experience, 2016 Edition, was a trove of delight and adventure. We're already planning next year's return!
Six of us trooped single file, squeezing in to savor the much-awaiting delights of a favorite frozen confection, some drooling in anticipation as we struggled through the already-gathered
Often described as the "Thumb," sometimes equated to seaside portions of New England, it's an imperative annual destination for many summer and fall, even winter!, holiday travelers and vacationers. For those of us addicted to its many pleasures and gorgeous sights, it calls to us, draws us into its welcoming embrace year after year. Door Country, Wisconsin -- or as I prefer,
This year was no different. We met Julius Caesar and Company at Door Shakespeare's breezy and bucolic out-of-doors setting, biked in Peninsula State Park, picnicked and swam at Nicolet Bay Beach, gorged on ice cream at "Cookie Doug's," had Wild Tomato pizza on the shores of and overlooking beautiful Eagle Harbor, attended a family-oriented play at Northern Sky Theatre... We even kayaked for the first time ever! (I think we passed Lewis and Clark, or was it Marquette and Nicolet ??!! Anyway, we waved pleasantly!)
When we have an unobstructed choice, we prefer to stay in Ephraim. Its central location is a plus, and Leroy's Coffee house is the best in the County. Good coffee is a must, a daily obsession. And, of course, Ephraim is the home of Cookie Doug! This year, owing to VRBO
Restaurants? Did you ask about restaurants? Naturally, we have some big favorites. They include but are not limited to Julie's in Fish Creek (try the brown-rice stir fry and the pork dish that served with a cherry sauce!), Blue Horse, also Fish Creek (billed as a coffee house but with great food as well!), J.J.'s La Puerta in Sister Bay... If you happen to be obsessed with the
 |
| View from the main dining room that overlooks the Bay at The Shoreline Restaurant, Gills Rock. |
 |
| Can you see the Deer? Mid-Photo? |
 |
| Sweetheart, at t the End of the Mink River Trail... (aka) Schoenbrunn Nature Conservancy! |
...favorite places to see and visit? Glad you asked! Cave Point, for example. Coen loved the sight of the huge swells that morphed into exploding waves in a wildly windy twilight. Lucy, too, enjoyed the Point, but stood well back from the spray. I enthralled the grandkids, telling them how my brother and I, as boys, leapt from one of the precipices into the breaking surf at Cave Point. Don't know if they allow people to do that anymore!? But I showed them the exact spot from which we dove or leapt. Other great places for visiting, trekking and traveling: The Dunes at Whitefish Bay, the Ferry to Washington Island, and the smaller one to Rock Island, Ellison Bay Country Park, where if you brave the steep climb to and from the water's edge, you can enjoy a terrific variety of cairns, even build your own. And Lighthouses!... Cana Island, Eagle Bluff, Sherwood Point...!  |
| The guy behind me had the effrontery to try to steal my newspaper, at J.J.'s La Puerta... We love Mexican Cuisine and this place particularly! |
Sadly, my great friend "L.L." was unable to enjoy the County this season. As he put it so poetically, "The Door was closed to me this year..." His family members tend to prefer the Alpine Resort just outside of Egg Harbor. Down the road a piece is Frank Murphy County Park, where, it is said, John Dillinger took refuge from his usual career choice and the law. (Or was it some other notorious gangland figure? Where's my book of odd history??...)
One last note of great importance: See that picture of "Cookie Doug's," upper right corner? It was taken by Alie! I asked her as she was poised to shoot, "Do you need us to get out of the frame?" A woman nearby, about to enter the parlor, said, "Well, if you want me to... well, see here! I'm not with any of you... I... (mumble, snerble, grubble, snorg...). (We missed or can't seem to recall the remainder of her vocalized umbrage! The "mumble words" are a humble attempt!) Once again, the Door experience, 2016 Edition, was a trove of delight and adventure. We're already planning next year's return!
Humbly Submitted, 09-27-16 -- Joel K.
Questions for our Beloved Friends and Readers (Do we have any??!):
Your favorite restaurant(s) in Door County?
What are your favorite places in the County?
Do you go every year?
Where do you prefer to stay?
What is your favorite place for treats, ice cream, etc.?
What's your favorite place to picnic?
Your favorite place to swim?
Describe some of your favorite Door County Adventures!?
Looking forward to your answers and comments... suggestions, too, if you like!!
Looking forward to your answers and comments... suggestions, too, if you like!!
