I can't believe I haven't written about the last day of our mini-vacation. This morning, like the others before, we had a wonderful breakfast in our room. But today we were leaving, so we packed up our stuff and checked out by 10 AM.
But it was too nice a day to leave yet, and I had a few stops to make. The first stop of the day was to the oilerie, where I bought some garlic olive oil. I really like this store because you can try the olive oils and the vinegars. I've been to this store last year, and even wrote a little review of it.
The other "must" stop for the day was at the K. Allen Gallery. It's a small gallery and has some pieces that are actually affordable. The owners are artists themselves and they live right next to the gallery. They have unique things that are definitely worth a look.
Having no other plans for the day, we crossed the street to an antique shop and browsed around there. We also stopped in at a few other antique shops and art galleries. It was a great day, and we didn't have any set plans, so why not.
But around noon or thereabouts we decided to head home since it's about a 2-hour drive. We figured that by the time we get home, we'll be hungry. We were correct. And with that, our little mini-vacation came to an end. The drive was lovely and I hope to drive out to Door County again soon.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
It's Independence Day
And right now, there's a band playing not too far, so I can hear it sitting on my bed in my hotel room. The band is trying to play a Jimmi Hendrix song and earlier attempted a Rolling Stones song.
The weather is absolutely stunning today. It's warm, sunny, wispy clouds roll along the vast expanse of sky, a gentle breeze keeps things cool.
We ate breakfast in the room again. Honestly, we're eating better than at any restaurant. Great food, comfortable, nobody hurrying us up, etc. Of course, it helps that we are a close family.
After breakfast we drove around some art galleries and antique shops. First, we went to K. Allen gallery to see if they got anything new this year that I might like. Last year, I bought 2 vases from them. I absolutely love those, but didn't find anything like that today. This gallery has the most "affordable" art in Door County in my opinion. It also has the most glass art. For some reason, I'm just fascinated by glass; it seems like a frozen river, or frozen smoke; so much movement.
Across the street from the gallery happened to be an antique shop, so we stopped in. This one had a lot of kitsch.
After these, we found a cluster of antique shops, really close to the gallery and we spent an hour or so there. All sorts of interesting things from antique furniture, to silverware, to enamelware, to linens, to anything else you might think of.
The spot also happens to be really beautiful. Lush greenery surrounded the cottages and patios, the garden gnomes and garden sculptures smiles and cast friendly shadows in the warm morning sun. It looked like a postcard.
Our next stop was the Edgewood Orchard Galleries. This gallery has a lot of sculptures and even a sculpture garden. I have to say that I'm not a big fan of their sculptures and consider only a scant few to be OK. They're just simply not my style.
But the gallery has some interesting paintings and had one vase/vessel that I could barely walk away from; it was just amazing. It was just too expensive. We spent quite a bit of time at this gallery. Dad and Grandma enjoyed a cup of coffee here while I snapped pictures.
On our way back, we stopped at an orchard store to see what they have. I got a jar of strawberry-rhubarb jam and grandma got some cherry jam.
Lunch we had back in the hotel, of course. When I say we're eating better than at any restaurant, I mean it. Here's our typical menu for the last few days when we eat in:
For dessert:
The weather is absolutely stunning today. It's warm, sunny, wispy clouds roll along the vast expanse of sky, a gentle breeze keeps things cool.
We ate breakfast in the room again. Honestly, we're eating better than at any restaurant. Great food, comfortable, nobody hurrying us up, etc. Of course, it helps that we are a close family.
After breakfast we drove around some art galleries and antique shops. First, we went to K. Allen gallery to see if they got anything new this year that I might like. Last year, I bought 2 vases from them. I absolutely love those, but didn't find anything like that today. This gallery has the most "affordable" art in Door County in my opinion. It also has the most glass art. For some reason, I'm just fascinated by glass; it seems like a frozen river, or frozen smoke; so much movement.
Across the street from the gallery happened to be an antique shop, so we stopped in. This one had a lot of kitsch.
After these, we found a cluster of antique shops, really close to the gallery and we spent an hour or so there. All sorts of interesting things from antique furniture, to silverware, to enamelware, to linens, to anything else you might think of.The spot also happens to be really beautiful. Lush greenery surrounded the cottages and patios, the garden gnomes and garden sculptures smiles and cast friendly shadows in the warm morning sun. It looked like a postcard.
Our next stop was the Edgewood Orchard Galleries. This gallery has a lot of sculptures and even a sculpture garden. I have to say that I'm not a big fan of their sculptures and consider only a scant few to be OK. They're just simply not my style.
But the gallery has some interesting paintings and had one vase/vessel that I could barely walk away from; it was just amazing. It was just too expensive. We spent quite a bit of time at this gallery. Dad and Grandma enjoyed a cup of coffee here while I snapped pictures.On our way back, we stopped at an orchard store to see what they have. I got a jar of strawberry-rhubarb jam and grandma got some cherry jam.
Lunch we had back in the hotel, of course. When I say we're eating better than at any restaurant, I mean it. Here's our typical menu for the last few days when we eat in:
- Grilled Chicken
- Baked Shrimp (and grilled to heat it up)
- Salad (tomato, onion, salt)
- Hot Dogs - 3 kinds (beef, turkey, and buffalo)
For dessert:
- Tea (green and black)
- Candy
- Zephyr in chocolate (Russian-style marshmallow covered in chocolate)
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Jam (we just bought it today and wanted to try it)
Friday, July 3, 2009
Gorgeous Day
Today, the weather didn't disappoint. The sun was out, a gentle breeze reminded us that we're in Wisconsin and that even in July we should wear jackets up here. Which, dad did. I had my fleece and grandma had her thick cardigan. But it's gorgeous.
We had breakfast in our room. See, we have 2 little fridges full of food and then some, so it's a shame to waste it. Additionally, we came here with full intention of not eating out at least for breakfast. It turns out that each of us has packed a loaf of bread, cheese, and a sausage of some kind, in addition to hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese and cream. So we had breakfast "Russian" style.
After breakfast, we drove to Gill's Rock where we boarded the ferry to Washington Island. I've never been there, nor has grandma. I was so tired (slept poorly at night) so I dozed off on the boat. The gentle rocking of the waves put me to sleep. I'd make a horrible navy person. I'd sleep the whole time.
The whole of Door County is decorated for Independence Day and here is a store in Gill's Rock flying the flag. While we waited for the ferry we ducked into a couple of shops. All sorts of kitch and touristy souvenirs.
But while on the island, we took the little trolley tour and it was pretty nice. Got to see an ostrich farm, a bear, chickens, goats, etc.
Then for lunch, we came back to the hotel. See, I packed enough food to feed a small army for a week, let alone the 3 of us. So I insisted that we eat it. That meant that dad had to drag my electric grill (which is in 2 bags) from the car and set it up in our room so I could grill. I grilled a few chicken legs and a package of hot dogs, and warmed up some shrimp I cooked before we left. Grandma and I made salad and dad opened a bottle of wine. Though this is Independence Day (well, tomorrow), we were toasting to Father's Day, since this trip was a gift to my dad from me.
After lunch we took a bit of a rest, some napped and I blogged. :) Then we drove around the peninsula, stopped by a free concert in Egg Harbor, drove around some more and came back to the hotel for dinner. Did I mention that we have enough food to feed a small army?
With dinner over, it's time for another game of cards.
We had breakfast in our room. See, we have 2 little fridges full of food and then some, so it's a shame to waste it. Additionally, we came here with full intention of not eating out at least for breakfast. It turns out that each of us has packed a loaf of bread, cheese, and a sausage of some kind, in addition to hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese and cream. So we had breakfast "Russian" style.
After breakfast, we drove to Gill's Rock where we boarded the ferry to Washington Island. I've never been there, nor has grandma. I was so tired (slept poorly at night) so I dozed off on the boat. The gentle rocking of the waves put me to sleep. I'd make a horrible navy person. I'd sleep the whole time.The whole of Door County is decorated for Independence Day and here is a store in Gill's Rock flying the flag. While we waited for the ferry we ducked into a couple of shops. All sorts of kitch and touristy souvenirs.
But while on the island, we took the little trolley tour and it was pretty nice. Got to see an ostrich farm, a bear, chickens, goats, etc.
Then for lunch, we came back to the hotel. See, I packed enough food to feed a small army for a week, let alone the 3 of us. So I insisted that we eat it. That meant that dad had to drag my electric grill (which is in 2 bags) from the car and set it up in our room so I could grill. I grilled a few chicken legs and a package of hot dogs, and warmed up some shrimp I cooked before we left. Grandma and I made salad and dad opened a bottle of wine. Though this is Independence Day (well, tomorrow), we were toasting to Father's Day, since this trip was a gift to my dad from me.After lunch we took a bit of a rest, some napped and I blogged. :) Then we drove around the peninsula, stopped by a free concert in Egg Harbor, drove around some more and came back to the hotel for dinner. Did I mention that we have enough food to feed a small army?
With dinner over, it's time for another game of cards.
Fish Creek, WI
We're in Door County, WI, or "up north" as most Wisconsinites refer to anything "north" of where they are currently. We actually made pretty good time, 2.5 hours. No traffic or construction to deal with so the drive was rather nice.
It was wonderful to see grandma so excited. She's never been here before so to see her reaction to all the clean greenery was great.
Our hotel is nice and we have lots of room, he beds are nice and big, the fridge keeps cold, and we have a table an chairs. We played cards for a few hours and laughed our butts off. It was nice. Reminds me when I was little and the three of us (dad, grandma, and I) went on vacation.
After we checked in, we went to find lunch. The only thing we could find were sandwich places so we settled on The Cookery. The place was completely rebuilt after last year's fire. None of us have ever been there before and we liked the atmosphere and the decor. Dad and Grandma had a Ruben sandwich and I had a cheeseburger. The burger was so-so. A little dry, short on the tomato, no sauce of any kind, no onion. Meh. Even mine are better and I haven't figured out how long to cook burgers.
We rested, went for a walk, went for a drive around the little towns and in the evening went to Pelletier's for a Fish Boil. I was hoping dad and grandma would at least be OK with it, but they actually liked it. Dad was even surprised at himself at how much he liked it. I was too. The fish is Lake Michigan White Fish and it has a subtly sweet and mild flavor. Yum.
After dinner, we played card for a while. It was fun.
It was wonderful to see grandma so excited. She's never been here before so to see her reaction to all the clean greenery was great.
Our hotel is nice and we have lots of room, he beds are nice and big, the fridge keeps cold, and we have a table an chairs. We played cards for a few hours and laughed our butts off. It was nice. Reminds me when I was little and the three of us (dad, grandma, and I) went on vacation.
After we checked in, we went to find lunch. The only thing we could find were sandwich places so we settled on The Cookery. The place was completely rebuilt after last year's fire. None of us have ever been there before and we liked the atmosphere and the decor. Dad and Grandma had a Ruben sandwich and I had a cheeseburger. The burger was so-so. A little dry, short on the tomato, no sauce of any kind, no onion. Meh. Even mine are better and I haven't figured out how long to cook burgers.
We rested, went for a walk, went for a drive around the little towns and in the evening went to Pelletier's for a Fish Boil. I was hoping dad and grandma would at least be OK with it, but they actually liked it. Dad was even surprised at himself at how much he liked it. I was too. The fish is Lake Michigan White Fish and it has a subtly sweet and mild flavor. Yum.
After dinner, we played card for a while. It was fun.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I still haven't packed...
Or marinated the chicken.
I am a terrible procrastinator. But that's my nature on such things, I suppose. Yes, we're planning another trip, but this time it's within driving distance. I am taking a half-day of vacation tomorrow, so we can head up north at a decent time.
Since I don't want us to go out to restaurants all the time, I'm marinating the chicken and bringing my electric grill. NOTE TO SELF: DON'T FORGET THE GRILL! But I'm charging the camera batteries as we speak. Priorities. ;)
I'll post the recipe for the chicken a bit later, but for now, I gotta go clean and marinate it.
I am a terrible procrastinator. But that's my nature on such things, I suppose. Yes, we're planning another trip, but this time it's within driving distance. I am taking a half-day of vacation tomorrow, so we can head up north at a decent time.
Since I don't want us to go out to restaurants all the time, I'm marinating the chicken and bringing my electric grill. NOTE TO SELF: DON'T FORGET THE GRILL! But I'm charging the camera batteries as we speak. Priorities. ;)
I'll post the recipe for the chicken a bit later, but for now, I gotta go clean and marinate it.
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