Navigator News (tm) March 2009

Why travel to Door County?

By Donna Marie Pocius
Special to DoorCountyNavigator.com

There are many destinations competing for your travel dollars. So why should you travel to Door County? And, if you have already been here, why must you come back?

There are many answers to these questions, to be sure. (By the way, BLOG your thoughts at www.DoorCountyNavigator.blogspot.com). But reasons why you should travel to this northeast Wisconsin peninsula can probably be aligned under these three truths:

Finding local flavor
Gus Oloroso, of Chicago, has traveled to the Door Peninsula for decades. When he is asked, "Why go to Door County?", he responds by recalling moments he shared with people: conversations he had, stories he heard, relationships that are kind of developing.

"If you take the time to get to know Door County, there is a kind of fabric that is below the surface. There are people you come to know," he says, recalling times he had in the rustic Coyote Roadhouse, Baileys Harbor, for example.

The abundant art galleries keep him coming back, too. With a natural curiosity, he is not shy about asking the artist questions. This interaction deepens his travel experience and is something he advises others to try, as well.

"Spend the time to talk to people-the artists, for example. Have them tell you a story. They are willing to tell you their stories," Oloroso says.

One-of-a-kind experiences
Indeed, they are. Margaret Lockwood is an oil painter, who creates striking contemporary and atmospheric paintings.

Lockwood chooses to run her own Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, as opposed to selling her paintings in other places. In this way, she converses with

customers.

"I get to meet the people who live with the paintings. So I like that. I do. I get to see people react to them," she says. Lockwood's stunning gallery and studio are in a repurposed dairy barn.

Another draw to Door County is its ability, somehow, to make visual and performing arts approachable. It's a place where travelers may hear classical music (by the Peninsula Music Festival or at Birch Creek Music Performance Center) while wearing Dockers and flip flops.

"Many people who never will go to classical music concert will do so when they come to Door County--because it is more accessible, more affordable, more comfortable here," says Sharon Grutzmacher, executive director of the Peninsula Music Festival.

"They have an opportunity to try something new in a less intimidating environment," continues Grutzmacher.

Unplug in nature, shops
For many others, immersion in a natural environment-such as one of Door County's state parks-is a rare opportunity and so different from urban and suburban areas surrounding their primary

homes.

Peninsula State Park, the area's largest state park with 3,776 acres, offers visitors camping, hiking, swimming, biking, golfing and more outdoor experiences.

"Visitors come in here smiling. They know they are going to have a good time. It is something they are looking forward to," says Tom Blackwood, park superintendent at Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek.

The entrepreneurial spirit is part of the Peninsula's appeal, too.

"Businesses in Door County are privately owned, and there is a lot of open land and charm. So, there is something for everyone here," says Sue Ann Flittner, owner of Tannenbaum Holiday Shop.