Canadian World Traveller Spring 2020 Issue

ing up treats like the local specialty, cherry
pie, make it easy to feel like this is a home
away from home. That’s how I felt at
Blacksmith Inn on the Shore, my bed and
breakfast in quiet Baileys Harbor. This historic
inn (circa 1907) was once the local blacksmith
shop. The owners have since built a
replica inn opposite the original, which is
where I stayed. I was instantly won over by
the lush flower garden surrounding the
entrance and the intimacy and decor of the
foyer, where treats are available 24/7.
Popcorn, organic juices and homemade
cherry oatmeal cookies. And it didn’t take
long to test drive the hammock on my room’s
balcony, which overlooks the greenery and
bullrushes with the lake and dock beyond. I
fell asleep to the sound of water lapping on
the shore and the soft hue of the electric fireplace
casting its glow across the room. I’d
awake to glorious morning sunrises and the
cheery calls of Red Winged Blackbirds.
Ridges Sanctuary and a Sunset Cruise
The quaint village of Baileys Harbor has a lot
to offer, and the best part is that everything is
within walking distance, with bikes available
at the Inn. Next door is The Ridges, a diverse
nature sanctuary covering 1,600 acres in and
around the shoreline, with vast trails, wetlands,
boreal forest, wildlife and wildflowers
to explore. Don’t leave out a visit to the
Nature Center and Baileys Harbor Range
Lights, a pair of lighthouses situated at opposite
ends of the boardwalk. I didn’t eat in
town, but I stopped in for a latte at Bearded
Heart Cafe and sampled a craft beer flight at
Door County Brewing Company, the town’s
saloon-style gathering spot with live music
and a porch for watching the world go by.
Watch the day slip away into night on the
Sunset Live Music Cruise with Sister Bay
Scenic Boat Tours debarking from the town of
Sister Bay. This was a wonderful opportunity
to witness my first mesmerizing Door County
sunset, capture panoramic views of the coastline
with its soaring limestone bluffs and
underwater sea caves surrounding Cave
Point County Park, looming lighthouses, and
the table umbrellas dotting the patio of an
atmospheric waterside restaurant. Fred &
Fuzzy’s Waterfront Bar & Grill is located at
Little Sister Resort, a cottage and camping
ground in Sister Bay. Imagine my delight
when a couple of days on I was able to enjoy
their fish tacos and a cherry juice margarita
sitting at the water’s edge, listening to live
music, and taking in another glorious sunset.
Lipstick Trees and Root Beer Floats
Everyone loves cheese, but did you know that
the orange colour can come from a lipstick
tree? A lunch stop and cheese curd tasting at
family-owned Renards Cheese in Sturgeon
Bay was a tasty and educational experience.
Other restaurants worth a reservation are
Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille in
Sister Bay for their delicious wood-fired pizzas,
Coyote Roadhouse in Baileys Harbor
serves up cowboy portions in a proper western
saloon ambiance. I recommend the
baked beans and steak. Wilson’s Restaurant
& Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim is the spot for
old fashioned home-brewed root beer ice
cream sodas. Try Scaturo’s Baking Company
and Cafe in Sturgeon Bay for brunch. My
fried egg, sausages and french toast topped
with warm cherries and whipped cream gets
my vote for best brunch ever.
Earth, Wind and Fire
Cycling is my recreation of choice so to have
the opportunity to explore Peninsula State
Park on two wheels was exciting. Our bicycles
were from Edge of Park Rentals, near the Fish
Creek entrance of the bike trail. Sunset Trail
is a 10-mile easy terrain that takes you
through the woods and along the water’s
edge. You’ll discover Eagle Bluff Lighthouse,
Nicolet Bay Beach, and the Northern Sky
Theatre Amphitheatre, a 650-seat outdoor
theatre in the woods to enjoy live musicals
during the summer.
Want something a little different for dinner?
Gather around the fire for a fish boil. The
taste may not be for everyone, but it’s all
about experiencing the local Scandinavian
tradition. Rowleys Bay Resort in Ellison Bay is
one of several resorts serving up the excitement.
It’s raining, so inside the Master story
teller regales us with entertaining stories
about Rowelys Bay and its original settlers,
the Potawatomi Indians, who enjoyed preparing
their fish in this way. Outside, a large kettle
is filled with Lake Michigan whitefish,
caught daily, salt, red potatoes, and sweet
onions. Listen for the school-bell. That’s when
kerosene is thrown on the fire and the pot
boils over resulting in raging flames. My timing
was a little off so by the time I ran outside
into the rain to snap a photo the flames had
calmed down. Back inside the dining room I
tasted the fish, and left plenty of room for
Door County cherry pie.
www.doorcounty.com
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Cherie DeLory
Cherie DeLory
Canadian World Traveller Spring 2020