Come and Visit Delightful Door County, Wisconsin
The next day was "island day." At the northern tip of the Door County peninsula are two popular islands: the 35-square-mile Washington Island and the much smaller Rock Island. Both are accessible only by ferry, and we began this part of our adventure by loading our car onto the Washington Island Ferry Line to reach Washington Island.
A 20-minute drive led us to the picturesque Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm with its more than 30,000 lavender plants. Inside the shop there, we found a variety of items that incorporated their lavender oils, including tea, baked goods and sachets. Depending on when you go, check out the rows of brilliant yellow sunflowers in front of the nearby brick-red production barn for a postcard-perfect photograph.
Next, we drove to see one of the more spectacular and unusual beaches I've seen -- Schoolhouse Beach. The beach was covered with bright, white polished limestone rocks that contrasted perfectly with the various azure hues of the crystal-clear lake water.
Because our final destination, Rock Island, was pedestrian-only, we parked our car by the Jackson Harbor Soup & Sandwich restaurant, picked a chair by the water with a view of the island and enjoyed an excellent lunch accompanied by Wisconsin's Spotted Cow beer.
Rock Island is relatively small but provided a serene way to spend an afternoon hiking on the 1.2-mile trail to the famed old lighthouse, followed by a perusal of the Chester Thordarson Great Hall and Boathouse next to the ferry dock. Thordarson owned the whole island from 1910 to 1945 and used it as a vacation retreat when he tired of inventing new electrical devices. He held more than 100 technology patents and was a key figure in developing our modern energy-transmission grid.
Within the confines of that slender peninsula, we discovered why several million people travel to Door County each year. Abundant food and entertainment options, not to mention thousands of cherry trees and lavender plants, make Door County a delightful place to visit.
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WHEN YOU GO
Lodging: Parkwood Lodge, Fish Creek: www.parkwoodlodge.com
Food: Wilson's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, Ephrain: www.wilsonsicecream.com
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