From Gardens to Shore to Sky

A Return To Door County - Day 2

Sunset over Ellison Bay in Door County is a spectacular sight to see.

---

Heading north, just ten minutes from Motel57, in Sturgeon Bay, you will find a blooming sanctuary of birds, flowers, and plants: The Garden Door.

It was the perfect place to start my adventures on day 2 of this Door County trip.  These beautiful gardens are designed and maintained by members of the Door County Master Gardeners Association and reside on land owned and operated by the University of Wisconsin Peninsular Agricultural Research Station. 

From the charming wooden gated entrance, I stepped through into meandering brick and crushed gravel paths, to view more than 15 different gardens. A wide variety of garden species are covered including: a cactus garden, pollinator garden, peony garden, grass garden, herb garden, and a faerie garden, just to name a few.

I was surprised, this early in the season, how much blooming was going on.  Being the first weekend in June, after a less than stellar spring, I didn't expect to see so much in flower.  I can imagine how brightly this garden will shine in the heart of summer.

There are art displays tucked in throughout, including mosaic benches created by local artists, a garden kaleidoscope by Door County artist R.C. Anderson, and a memorial garden that sits at either end of an open air tunnel decorated with blown glass artworks. 

As  I wandered the garden paths, I watched as a song sparrow sang from tree branches, swooped down to gather insects and seeds, and disappeared into an evergreen where calls from sparrow fledglings rang out.  They suddenly grew quiet, then mama sparrow emerged once again to forage for her young.  For a time I was the sole human walking through the garden. A bit of paradise to start my day. 

Location: 4312 Hwy 42, Sturgeon Bay.
​The gardens are open daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission is free, donations are happily accepted.

The charming gated entrance to The Garden Door.

Art + bench = great place to sit and take in the views.

Bold in color, flowers are blooming at The Garden Door.

---

A short photo gallery of the many garden displays at The Garden Door.

---

Some things are worth repeating. Leaving The Garden Door, headed to my afternoon destinations, I stopped for an iced latte and some freshly made beignets at The Big Easy.  I had a delicious breakfast there when I traveled The Door back in November (2022), and looked forward to enjoying those tasty beignets again.

They did not disappoint. Whether you want a full breakfast, or some pastry and a bit of caffeine, The Big Easy is definitely worth a stop.  A word of caution: beignets aren't the easiest treat to eat while driving. You will end up with powdered sugar everywhere. But it's worth it.

The Big Easy is located at 7755 Hwy 42 in Egg Harbor. Open 8-2, closed Tuesdays.

Freshly made beignets from The Big Easy, in Egg Harbor, are a tasty treat.

---

Next up, I was island bound.  Washington Island, that is.  A remote island of natural beauty, local businesses, and year-round residents, Washington Island is only reachable by ferry. The Washington Island Ferry will carry you, and your vehicle or bicycle, across "Death's Door" to the island in about 30 minutes. 

I arrived just in time for the 3pm ferry. Where did the day go? No matter, I would soon reach one of the top items on my Door County wish list. My first ever trip on the Washington Island Ferry with my car, and they had me parallel park on deck!  A deep breath or two and it was done. Then I got out of the car to watch the many surrounding islands go by as we crossed the lake to Washington Island. 

I wandered back and forth along the deck, spotting cormorants, seagulls, and pelicans flying over the lake. From the ferry I could see, just barely, across the waves, Pilot Island. It looked  desolate, almost barren, from a hazy distance.

I was told by a fellow passenger that it is mainly inhabited these days by wildlife, particularly migratory birds, gulls and cormorants.  It is part of the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge. An old lighthouse, and brick fog signal building, are the only two standing buildings left on the island. It is not open to the public at this time, but is the subject of differing opinions.

Some want migratory birds to remain protected on the island, others want to revive the island for its historical context, and have concerns about the number of cormorants on the island and the effect on the local fishing industry. Presently it looks like the USFWS (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) is looking into doing a study on the cormorants and their affect on the habitat.

There are about 35 islands in the surrounding Door County peninsula, however only a handful are currently open to the public. 

The Washington Island Ferry crossing Death's Door.

Sighting a pelican on Lake Michigan is just part of the experience, while sailing to Washington Island.

Pilot Island, somewhat ghostly from a distance, is currently part of the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

A lone cormorant keeping watch from a signal buoy in Lake Michigan, Door County.

---

Once docked, the cars drive off the ferry and go on their way.  My first stop was for something cold to drink at The Red Cup Coffee House. Inside you'll find a variety of coffeehouse drinks, snacks, and ample shopping of artfully crafted, locally made items. 

Right next door is Fair Isle Books, a charming local book shop that features many local (Wisconsin) authors, and a variety of fair trade jewelry and other gift items. The staff at Fair Isle Books were so welcoming! I could imagine spending a great deal of time browsing their offerings. Should I return to Washington Island, I'll definitely go back. They have an online store as well.

​Located at 1885 Detroit Harbor Road

Red Cup Coffee House and Fair Isle Books were my first two stops on Washington Island.

---

Although I had several spots on the island on my list, I had just over an hour before I had to board the last ferry of the day for the return trip. Better planning next time...in any case, two of my top destinations were the Stavkirke, a church built on the island as both a replica and tribute to the island's Scandinavian heritage; and Schoolhouse Beach Park.

---

The development of the intriguing Stavkirke began in 1991, and was a project undertaken by the men and women of nearby Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. The name of the church refers to the style of construction, using vertical posts (or masts) throughout the church, and ship-like construction throughout the entire structure. Be sure to step inside to take in the beauty of its interior design.

The church is fully operational, offering services for many occasions to local members. It is open 24 hours a day for public visitation and meditation as well. You can attend an evening service on Wednesdays, at 7:30pm in July and August.

​Location: 1763 Townline Road

The Stavkirke on Washington Island was built in tribute to the Scandinavian heritage of the island.

Stavkirke: a church of medieval Nordic origin.

---

The first thing I noticed entering Schoolhouse Beach Park is that it's surrounded by woodlands. Reaching the parking lot, I looked out to see Lake Michigan and the scenic beach through a grove of cedar trees, with picnic benches and standing grills scattered about. The shade of the trees should be a blessing on hot summer days.

Reaching the beach the scene is unique. Instead of a typical sandy beach, layers and layers of smooth, white, limestone rock make up the landscape. A result of glaciers thousands of years ago, these smooth, polished rocks are a rarity.

As I scanned the shoreline, up and down the beach, towels and blankets were scattered on the rocks, along with beach chairs, picnic lunches, and more. The water beyond the rocks is an inviting color palette of greens and blues, and dotted with swimmers.

There may be a compulsion to take home a few rock souvenirs from a day at Schoolhouse Beach. Best think twice, as it is illegal, and will result in a hefty fine. If you find one you admire, a photo is free.

Location: 1860 Schoolhouse Beach Road

The entrance sign at Schoolhouse Beach reminds you not to remove the naturally polished, smooth limestone rocks.

A heart made of stone on Schoolhouse Beach.

---

I made it back to the ferry just in time to catch the last mainland-bound trip of the day. Once across the water, I headed to Newport Beach State Park.

A prime dark sky viewing location, I had hoped to experience the nighttime beauty.  But I was hours early, and the full moon would diminish the galaxy viewing.

​So, instead, I walked down to the beach, took in the view, and did a little wandering along the shore, bare feet in sand.  It was a very warm, sunny day, and the water felt so good!  And it was so peaceful!

​I watched as families arrived for late afternoon picnics, and headed toward the beach, kids excited to swim. 

Location: 475 Cty Hwy NP, Ellison Bay
Wisconsin State Park sticker required.

Newport Beach State Park is a prime dark sky viewing area. The beach is stunning and a great place to spend an afternoon playing in sand and shore.

---

This Wisconsin State Park offers hiking, swimming, night sky viewing, backpacking, camping sites, and more.

---

Where to next? Leaving Newport State Park there was about 90 minutes of daylight left. How I appreciate the extended daylight of the spring and summer seasons!  I headed back south along Hwy 42, towards Sturgeon Bay.  But I didn't get far. Earlier in the day I had passed a sign at a crossroads directed to Ellison Bluff County Park.  Returning, I passed the sign again.

​About a mile down the road I made a u-turn and headed back. Here was the perfect opportunity to witness a sunset on Ellison Bay.  In my day to day life, sunset viewing usually clashes with other responsibilities. Today I would take advantage, and make it count!

I took the turn and headed towards the park along the bay. Entering the park I oohed and aahed to myself, how lovely the drive in. How green. How lush. I followed the road until I came to a sign directing me to the scenic overlook, pulled in and parked.

On the road into Ellison Bluff County Park.

This way to Scenic Overlook.

---

It was quiet. One other car and myself. I took a quick scan of the grounds, noted the restrooms were open (good to know), grabbed my camera gear, and took the wooden steps towards the lookout.

Below I spied a young couple parked on a blanket, awaiting the sunset show, and said a quick hello. Then I took the stairs all the way down to the wire fence lookout. This looks out over the water, with a side view of the bluff, Niagara Escarpment. 

I couldn't have asked for a better night to view the sunset over the bay. The sky was mostly clear, there was barely a breeze, the weather was cooling some, and even the mosquitoes were shy.

Normally, I feel the need to keep moving, exploring. I'll be honest, it was a challenge to just relax and take in the view, absorb the minute by minute changes in the sky.

As time went on more people were arriving. Some, obviously locals who knew just where to go to view a perfect sunset, some with guests in tow. Others, like me, tourists from other parts of the state, or other states or countries altogether. 

A view of the bay and Niagara Escarpment from the lower viewing deck at Ellison Bluff County Park.

---

All gathered, one by one, along the wooden viewing deck, down the stairs, on park benches, and on the wire fenced viewing deck below.

There we were, in the quiet, peaceful dusk, witnessing the sun go down on another day.

​A grand finale to a sunset, and to an adventuresome day in Door County.
​
Location: 12050 Ellison Bluff Rd.

We gathered together, some strangers, some friends, for a sunset view from the overlook at Ellison Bluff County Park.

---

A brief photo gallery of a magnificent sunset over Ellison Bay, from Ellison Bluff County Park.