Hy-Land RV Park – Ellison Bay, WI

Door County Charm: Finding Fall Beauty (and Epic Jams) in the Fog

Our arrival in Door County was undeniably a soggy affair. The drive to Hy-Land RV Park was a study in gray, but even through the windshield wipers, the cute little towns flashing by hinted at the adventure awaiting us. We knew instantly we’d be exploring them over the next few days.

The following morning dawned in a familiar haze—fog and light rain clung to the air. We zipped into our rain gear and set off for Sister Bay. The village immediately charmed us; its inns and resorts, with their white trim and rows of Adirondack chairs facing the steely waters of Lake Michigan, instantly transported me to a cozy New England town. It was easy to imagine the summer bustle, but the quiet, misty air of early fall offered a peaceful kind of magic. As if on cue, a shy sun began to peek through the clouds. We strolled the streets, admiring the town’s bursts of color. Beautiful hanging baskets still thrived, but the true stars were the pumpkins and gourds—gorgeous harvest decorations were everywhere, a sure sign that fall had arrived. Roadside stands were piled high with autumn bounty.

The Epic Mistake at Seaquist Orchards

On our way back, we pulled into Seaquist Orchards—and what a wonderful, terrible mistake that was! The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of apples and pumpkin spice from the moment we opened the door. September is prime apple season, and bins overflowed with every variety imaginable. But it was the jams that stopped me in my tracks—an outstanding, overwhelming selection. All I could think was, “How many of these can I mix into my chocolates?” We finally checked out with a hefty peck of Honeycrisp apples, a thick slice of fresh pumpkin pie, and a ridiculous haul of eight different types of jam.

Festivals, Reuben, and Wineries

The next day, we hit the road for Sturgeon Bay, and luck was definitely on our side! The town was buzzing, hosting a vibrant fall festival, a cool car show, and a stunning display of artistic sailboats lining the park. We soaked up the energy before settling in for lunch at Cedar Crossing Inn. Mitch declared his Reuben sandwich to be the best he’s ever had—high praise! Our afternoon was dedicated to sampling the renowned wines of Door County. We stopped at Door 44 and then Anchor Root, enjoying not just the delicious vintages but also the atmosphere. At both places, we caught some fantastic live music, with a talented two-man group at the latter earning serious admiration from Mitch for their killer guitar skills.

Cliffside Hikes and Lighthouse Views

With a new day came a craving for fresh air and exercise. If a hike has a hill, you can bet Mitch is on it! We drove to Cave Point State Park and explored the stunning coastline, where the relentless pounding of Lake Michigan’s waves has carved dramatic caves out of the rock over the millennia. It was ruggedly beautiful. After working up an appetite, we refueled with lunch at the charming Stone’s Throw Winery before making a quick, final stop to check out the historic Bluff Lighthouse. It was a packed, perfect couple of days. As we finally pulled out of the RV park, we saw a clear sign that summer was officially waving goodbye: the boats were being hauled from the marina and moved into storage for the long Wisconsin winter. We had caught the beautiful, quiet transition into fall.

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