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Door County Half Marathon & Nicolet Bay 5K is May 5th!

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The  Door County Half Marathon & Nicolet Bay 5K event is the first of the year. Taking place May 5th this year, it is the kick off of the competitive running circuit up here. The Half Marathon registration is still open but the Nicolet Bay 5K is closed.

If you are planning on participating or cheering on entrants, check out these great last minute rooms and specials when booking your hotel stay.

Settlement Courtyard Inn, located just outside bustling Fish Creek, this is a great spot to begin any adventure. They have two great specials running for Race Weekend. The Spring Special includes Courtyard Room, Continental-Plus breakfast for $109/night.  Please mention the “Spring Special” when reserving this offer.
They are also offering a Girlfriends Spring Special which includes 1 night lodging Courtyard Room (2 queens), 2 Refresher Massages, bottle of Simon Creek wine and signature glasses. $287 ($143.50 ea) Double occupancy.  Stay for two nights: $386.Valid April 1-May 24, 2012
Please mention the “Girlfriends Spring Special” when reserving this offer.

Creed Cottage is a quaint 3 bedroom cottage is just minutes from the shores of Green Bay waters in Ellison Bay. They are offering the cottage at our 2011 rate of $145 per night from May 1 until June 15th, 2012 – with no added charge for the 11% tax.”

Door County Lighthouse Inn is a quaint B&B located in the downtown Egg Harbor, within pleasant walking distance from unique shops, 5-star restaurants and the new marina. They have two Vacation Rentals open the weekend of the Half Marathon. They are the Awesome Sunset Condo which is a 2 bedroom unit and sleep up to 6 with the sleeper sofa at $200 per night and we will take a 2 night reservation that weekend.  We also have a Landmark bedroom and loft unit that sleeps 4 for $120.00 per night on the weekend. They are also offering the Spring into Romance package which includes the Door County Trolley Spring Blossom tour, $50 dinner coupon for the English Inn, and a $25 DCVB Gift Certificate, with a 2 night weekend stay up to Memorial Day Weekend.  Rates are between $391 and $481 depending which room you select.

Coachlite Inn has rooms available in this conveniently located Inn between Sister Bay and Ephraim. They will be giving out a complimentary Coachlite Inn t-shirts for any of our guests that are participating in the races. They are offering their Festival of Blossoms Package which includes a 2 night stay, a wonderful wine and cheese basket from Renards, & beautiful floral bouquet, $60 gift certificate for dinner at Inn at Kristofers or The English Inn, and a $25 Door County Gift Certificate to spend at the many participating Door County businesses.   Package Rates:  Deluxe Room with one king or 2 queen beds is $299. Queen Suite with 1 queen bed, a sitting area with fireplace, and a 2 person whirlpool tub is $359.

The Lodgings at Pioneer Lane, a small country inn nestled in the heart of Ephraim, creates the perfect setting for a romantic getaway anytime of the year. They have two rooms available for Race Weekend: Bill’s $80 and the Sea Chest with its new fireplace!

The Cookery has their one bedroom cottage and two bedroom suites available, located in downtown Fish Creek.

 

Springtime Calling… Doorfodils, Trillium, Cherry and Apple Blossoms in Door County

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Check out all the upcoming April, May and June 2012 events in the Door County Spring Activity Guide (pdf).


Back in 1993, Bob Hastings Jr. started enlisting fellow members of the Door County Chamber of Commerce in a daffodil bulb planting campaign that he called the Festival of Blossoms. His son, Bob Hastings III, put the plan into action as director of the Chamber now known as the Door County Visitor Bureau. Since then, it is estimated that more than 2.5 million of these spring-flowering bulbs have been planted throughout Door County to compliment the white sea of trillium in the forests, the cherry and apple tree blossoms and all of the other abundant wild flowers.

Bob’s daughter Sarah Sawyer now owns and operates the family’s Egg Harbor Lodge and explains, “Door County actually has acquired its own daffodil variety… the Doorfodil (a special white-and-apricot variety) and I’m not making that up! We are the Door County version of Holland, Michigan and their tulips – only (we think) better. I am pretty proud that my family had a hand in this gig.”

Each year, thousands of people flock to Door County to see the cherry and apple blossoms blooming in the dozens of orchards that dot the landscape. Always a favorite, the cherry blossoms usually open late in May, often just in harmony with the Memorial Day Weekend. Dale Seaquist owner of Seaquist Orchards, just north of Sister Bay, says he has it down to a science. He can predict, to the day, when the cherries will bloom. Door County is the fourth largest cherry-producing region in the USA with approximately 2,200 acres of cherry orchards, most of which are visible from the highways. Cherry trees blossom for a few weeks, then follow the apple blossoms.

The trillium cover the woodlands with a sea of white blossoms but please, don’t pick them! Picking a trillium seriously injures the plant by preventing the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year. A plant takes many years to recover. Some of the rarest wild flowers in the nation are found in the Ridges Sanctuary, a 1600-acre preserve in Baileys Harbor. The Ridges is home to one of the largest concentrations of rare plants and orchids in the Midwest. On any given day after mid-April, one can find a variety of native wildflower species by simply walking down Ridges Road or hiking the trails within the Sanctuary.

Door County’s Wildflower Blooming Schedule:

Starting in April- Daffodils, Hepatica and Rock Cress

Starting in May- Dwarf Lake Iris (only for the month of May), Clintonia, Trillium, Mayflowers, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Columbine, Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchids, Starflower, Bunchberry, Canada Anemone, Starry Solomon’s Plume, Coralroot, Apple and Cherry Blossoms, Wild Strawberry, Red-Osier Dogwood, Sarsaparilla

Starting in June-Blue-Flag Wild Iris, Pink-Flowered Pyrola, Thimbleberry, Swamp Buttercup, Spreading Dogbane, Twin Flower, Evening Primrose, St. John’s Wort, Black Eyed Susan, Bluebell

Starting in July- Marsh Five-Fingers and Goldenrod

Starting in August- Purple Gerardia

Tracking Fall Foliage, the Apple Season and Upcoming Door County Festivals

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The Fall colors are just starting to appear amidst the green in Door County and the farm fresh apples are ripe!

The Sweet Tango apples are now available at the growers’ stands like Wood’s Orchards and the Honey Crisps are just starting to come on. The Schopf’s annual Dairy View Corn Maze is ready to baffle you… so come outside and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you in Door County!

38th Annual Townline Art Fair

A juried art fair exhibiting the work of more than 85 professional artists from across the Midwest exhibit during the two-day show held rain or shine. Glass, pottery, metal sculpture, paintings, photography, fiber art, and woodworking will be under tents for the 5,000 people that annually attend the show.
Saturday, October 8 from 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, October 9 from 10 am to 4 pm
Hwy. 42 at the north end of Ephraim, WI  54211

Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival
Fun-filled weekend! Free admission. Live music, carnival rides, inflatable bouncer, arts & crafts vendors, face painting, pumpkin and scarecrow displays, roaming magician, storyteller, silent auction and more…
Click for Pumpkin Patch details and a free poster!

Saturday, October 8
9am-4:30pm Silent Auction
10am-2pm Modern Day Drifters
10am-4pm Carnival Rides & Inflatable Bouncers
10am-4pm Face Painting
10am-5pm Juried Arts & Crafts Vendors
11am-1pm Children’s Musician Randy Peterson
11am-3pm Roaming Magician Bruce Hetzler
1pm-4pm Storyteller Carol Johnson
2pm-5:30pm Mango Brothers | Jimmy Buffet Tribute
Sunday, October 9
10am-1:15pm Mighty Mouth | Rock & Blues
10am-4pm Carnival Rides & Inflatable Bouncers
10am-4pm Face Painting
10am-5pm Juried Arts & Crafts Vendors
12pm-3pm Storyteller Carol Johnson
1:15-1:45pm UW-Madison Marching Band performs
1:30pm-4:30pm Big Mouth & The Power Tool Horns | Rock & Blues

Sister Bay Fall Festival

Celebrating the fun of the seasons like no other Door County community, Sister Bay has hosted the largest Fall Festival for more than 65 years! The Village has been known as “Festival Village” for many years, because Sister Bay hosts more festive events than any other northern Door County village or town.
Friday and Saturday, October 14 – 15 from 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, October 16 from 10 am to 3 pm
In the heart of Sister Bay.

WI Fall Foliage Guides:

Wisconsin Fall Color Reports – The official site with periodic updates on key locations throughout the state, suggested driving tours for fall foliage day trips and weekend getaways, related Wisconsin fall events and activities, links to local apple and pumpkin picking farms.

The Foliage Network – Regular fall foliage reports updated twice weekly for the entire Midwest including Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio.

WI Fall Foliage Hotline: 800.432.8747

No Shortage of Door County Beaches

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While the rest of the state is scorching, Door County has wonderfully comfortable beach weather. Lake Michigan waters regulate our temperatures so grab your beach bag and escape to Door County for a few days. With over 300 miles of shoreline, we have no shortage of beaches. Although every town has a public beach, there are some that lie off the beaten path.

Schoolhouse Beach

Schoolhouse Beach is a popular haven for hot afternoons on Washington Island. The cool water is the perfect escape from the summer heat. A raft anchored off shore is an easy sunbathing spot popular with visitors and locals alike. The smooth limestone pebbles that line this beautiful beach are only located on four other beaches in the world and are protected so please don’t take any.

If you’re not headed to Washington Island, you can spend the daylight hours at the numerous beaches around the county. Every town has a public beach so make sure you check them out.

Sister Bay Beach is fun for everyone. With a shallow swim area for the little ones and a dock for the older kids to jump off, you can relax. Come on Wednesdays to listen to concerts in the park all summer long. The beach is located in the heart of the town so you can walk to get lunch, shop, or run errands while your family enjoys the beach. The park offers a nice sized playground to occupy even the littlest kids.

Ellison Bay’s Women’s Club Beach is a popular destination for the pristine view of downtown and the Ellison Bluff which provides amazing sunset views. A park is just footsteps away and a massive grassy area perfect for picnics. Sand Bay County Park on the Lake Michigan side offers a serene and secluded side. Shallow warm waters give way to views of commercial fishing vessels crossing the harbor. Europe Bay Beach lies on the edge of Newport State Park and has white sandy beaches.

Ephraim Public Beach is located on the south end of town just footsteps from many hotels, shopping and restaurants. You could spend the whole day and not get in your car. South Shore Pier rents out various types of watercraft for you.

Peninsula State Park has multiple beaches to suit anyone’s needs. Nicolet Bay Beach offers kayak rentals and is a popular spot for boaters. The wide shallow bay is perfect for rafting with fellow boaters in order to and hop from boat to boat. There are a couple more beaches in the Park offering seclusion and more natural beach experience.

Fish Creek Public Beach is in the heart of Fish Creek’s downtown district. The Marina and moorings provide a great day for boaters and the warm shallow waters are perfect for children of all ages.

Egg Harbor Public Beach seems off the beaten path but is really just a two-minute drive from downtown. It overlooks the brand new marina, as well as a beautiful shoreline. Murphy Park on Cty. Rd. G south of Egg Harbor is an excellent spot to spend the afternoon and watch the sunset.

Junction Center's Beach Yoga at Egg Harbor Beach on Mondays from 10 - 11:30 am

Sturgeon Bay has many beaches to choose from. Whitefish Dunes on the Lake Michigan side is a massive white sandy beach perfect for big family gatherings. Be careful with small children as currents can be strong and hazardous. The beach lies within Whitefish Dunes State Park and is adjacent to Cave Point County Park. The three-acre Otumba Park on the west side of Sturgeon Bay has a sandy beach, playground and picnic shelter building to provide a great spot for large get-togethers. Sunset Park on the east side has forty-one acres for your family’s use. It offers tennis courts, basketball court, launching ramps and transient slips and much more. This beach is ideal for taking full advantage of our wonderful weather.

Baileys Harbor Ridges Beach is favorite for families because of its shallow warm waters. Out of the wind and on the quiet side, this beach is great for small children as well as pets as one of the only pet-friendly beaches around. Please keep your dog leashed and practice responsible pet ownership to full enjoy your beach experience.

No matter where you choose to stay, there is a beach for you and your family to enjoy. With 19 county and 5 state parks throughout the peninsula, there is no shortage of public water access.

On the Water in a Kayak in Search of Silent Sport

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Kayaking in Door County is one of the best ways to spend a summer afternoon.

With over 300 miles of shoreline, the beauty is endless!

With over 300 miles of shoreline, the beauty is endless!

With over 300 miles of shoreline, the Door Peninsula provides easy access to the water from every town. Favorite spots for local kayak enthusiasts include Pebble Beach, Garret Bay in Gills Rock and the passage from Washington Island to Rock Island.

On Rock Island, there are Native American carvings in the limestone. They are hard to get to by foot but a kayak provides an easy way to access this remote area. The passage between Washington Island and Rock Island is a difficult paddle. Be aware that this is a shipping lane and can possibly be busy with boat traffic.

Don’t own a kayak? There are numerous sporting goods shops that have them available for rent and most provide guided tours.

Reconnect with family or friends!

Reconnect with family or friends!

Any hardcore kayakers out there? Two of our locals made the trek from Door County across the lake and up to Fayette, MI. Dale Krolick and Chuck Scully made the crossing a couple years ago. The trip took six days but it can be done in four. Just goes to show, there are limitless options when adventuring in Door County.

For those looking for a little less of an adventure, Pebble Beach, Schoolhouse Beach, or Garret Bay provide a beautiful paddle without the risk of much traffic. For beginners, I would recommend Pebble Beach or Schoolhouse Beach. These protected coves offer a great place to learn how to paddle and some windy days have nice waves. Garret Bay has a shipwreck right at the launch site. If you paddle south along the shore you can see the limestone cliffs from an angle that is unsurpassed. The clear water and flat rocks provide a great place to swim and have a picnic.

Door County has many kayaking events scheduled each summer. Paddlefest at Nicolet Bay in Peninsula State Park takes place  in June every year. Washington Island Canoe and Kayak Race, an expedition and symposium also begins in June and includes a “Death’s Door Passage” from Northport to Jackson Harbor. Bayshore Outdoor Store rents kayaks and provides a complete listing of kayak related events.

Door County Lodging isn’t the only one excited about kayaking. The Chicage Tribune recently posted an article about a first hand kayaking experience on the water: Door County by kayak.