Greetings from Fish Creek--Wish You Were Here

Another busy day on the "Tour of the Door" press trip in Door County, Wisconsin. Left my room 7:45, on the run all day. But nice.

Loved The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor. As the snow shook from the sky like light silver glitter, our guide, Jane, led us on a 1.5-hour morning hike, pointing out the call of a white-breasted nuthatch high in a tree, how to tell the difference between white pines and red pines, where the beautiful orchids grow in warm weather, what a mink looks like [we didn't see one, but I wanted to know, since they live there] and two old lighthouses that looked really cool. We were supposed to snowshoe, but there wasn't enough snow, so it was turned into a hike.

Later, the town of Fish Creek, where I saw a tiny old log cabin with a little old lopsided chimney; the structure dates to the 1800s, and the original log barn is a stone's throw away. Other Fish Creek jewels: 1. Gorgeous crimson/orange sherbet/raspberry sunset. 2. The Hide Side Boutique, a women's clothing store, where the workers tie petite blue satin bows around the hangers holding larger sizes; great idea and new to me. Makes a larger woman feel pretty, not lost--or last, or sheepish. 3. Places that advertise fish boils--in the summer, they're boiling over every night, a shop owner told me.

Also loved Egg Harbor, especially Greens N Grains, a natural food store that sells eco-friendly clothing in the space behind it. I bought a great black organic cotton 3/4 sleeve, scoop-neck shirt by Maggie's for $29, and a dark chocolate sea salt chocolate bar from Indulgence Chocolatiers in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Locally made chocolate!!! Was hoping to find some. Both shirt and bar are dark, perfect, excellent treasures.

Later, dinner in Egg Harbor at Mojo Rosa's--Mexican. Right next to the restaurant: Pink Bakery. Closed for winter, but goodies sold in restaurant. Kimberly Jensen opened the bakery three years ago. She said hot sellers include scones [raspberry white chocolate; cherry; blueberry; blackberry--every day a different flavor] and wedding cakes. I introduced the triangle scone to Door County, she said. I also added a little butter. All the other scones were round and dry, like hockey pucks. 

For weddings, Kim said, the big little trend is what she calls lollies--cake pops back where I live. The top pop: Pistachio white ganache. Other winners: Cherry vanilla and chocolate mint. The great thing with lollies is that you can do almost anything, said Kim. We've done peach cobbler with creme fraiche dipped in white chocolate.

Full day, great eye opener. Didn't even mention the Door County Distillery, where we sipped cherry vodka and gin. [I would have skipped, but Troy and David were saying they were so good, even just the smell of them.] Day peppered with fun, informed conversations with everyone from Janice, a wine writer from San Francisco to Mike, a fishing and hunting writer from Indiana to Maggie, a pretty young mom/writer from Wisconsin farm country. Must sleep. Packin' up my cherries to fly home tomorrow. Good night.

TCOY

1. Did take that hike. 
2. Ice water.