This past week, we took a trip to Door County, Wisconsin.

#ookkkkk

For those who don’t know, Door County is an area in Northern Wisconsin that is full of natural beauty, great places to eat, wineries, water activities (boating, fishing, kayaking, etc), and, of course, shopping. We’d gone up there (we think) 11 years ago with our daughters and had an interesting time. My wife was taking an online class and the professor was a total jackwagon, so we were connected 2012 phones to laptops or going to a place where Wi-Fi was available. I was also taking an online class, and while I wasn’t required to do as much as my wife, the connecting issues were the same. We had a pre-teen and teenager at the time, so there were some of those issues as well. We kayaked and hiked and had a good time, but hey, let’s see what happens the second time around.

We invited both daughters (now 25 and 23) to come with, and we go one daughter to bite! Plus we are no longer tent camping (smaller camper), so that would be a different thing as well. So, the three of us loaded up our camper, put our bikes and camp chairs in the truck, and drove the 6 hours to our campground outside Bailey’s Harbor, on the Lake MIchigan side of the peninsula, a change from our last visit.

This is the “quiet side” of Door County, but the little town was hopping, which was pretty cool. We went on a sunken ship tour, looking at the wrecks of 1800 era schooners through clean bottom kayaks. It was stormy the night before so the water was a bit murky, but we could make out the skeletons of ships, something we didn’t think we’d be able to do. We took a couple of different hikes, and went up in a lighthouse on the Lake Michigan side as well. One of the things we didn’t do the last time we were there was take part in a fish boil. It is a Scandinavian way to feed many immigrants quickly and economically. Google “Door County Fish Boil” and you can see some of the presentation that goes on. I had a friend who said it sounded “icky and tasteless”, and honestly, we’ve done this so probably won’t do it again, the experience was well worth the meal.

#thatsverycool

I know, right? But the best part was taking a ferry from the mainland to Washington Island. The last time we were there, we rented bikes as we got off the boat and peddled around the island. This year, we brought our bikes to do this and had a much better idea what we were getting into on the island. Honestly, the ride felt shorter with three adults (duh), so we go to places more quickly, but of course, places change as well. We visited this enormous lavender farm (Fragrant Isle) a definite must visit, though they’ve gone to charging for entrance into their lavender fields and cafe, which was hugely disappointing. We next stopped at School House Beach, a very protected harbor and beach made of lake stones. Just a beautiful place to visit!

#nice

And on our way back, we stopped at the Albatross Drive-In, a burger and fry place that advertised beer. We wanted to try a lavender cider, so took a chance. And there is where we met Jim. He was a retired Amtrak worker whose story about getting to the island is as amazing as it is outlandish! And the man had the gift of gag, no doubt, and that’s what kept us there. He just talked about the island, the fact they know each other and will help anyone out at the drop of a hat. If someone’s riding ferry, they will get stuff for who need it. They give rides to neighbors , they have potlucks in the winter, they support each other’s businesses when the going gets tough. He talked with passion about the island, the businesses, the people, and just how the attitude of most who live there just stays positive.

#damnJim

It just got me thinking, why don’t we have that attitude? Last year was a tough year. I gained weight (a lot). I lost fitness. That drive was lost. I alway felt behind and that I wasn’t enough. As I reflect, how much of that was true and how much of it was me getting too far into my own head? Jim’s almost joyous way of looking at life has me excited for the coming year and challenges. Those “junk thoughts” are slow (almost too slowly) exiting and being replaced with a nervous excitement. Jim’s job on this island was to keep people up beat and happy as they stopped in. We were on bikes, so the break was welcome. Jim served us, got some kids off a table, served a large group, and asked a family to stop rocking their table umbrellas. All with a smile. Now, he’d lead forward and give some sarcastic quip that would have us giggle, but yet, his ears would twinkle as he said it.

#thisguysoundslikesomeoneweallneedinourlives

I would wholeheartedly agree with that.

So, if you every happen to be on Washington Island, check out the Albatross Drive-In. The beer and wine are around the back, and if you are lucky, Jim will be there, doing his thing, serving, smiling, and doing so with a joy I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I’d order the Apple Lavender Cider from Island Orchard or Big Sister from Door County Brewing.

And tell Jim to stay away from the ghosts! He’ll have some stories to tell! 👻

#ummmmmno