Door County Tourist Turned Local
Author: Megan Richard
How many people can say that they’ve moved to the place they vacation? I don’t think too many—I’m lucky enough to be one of them. Yes, I’m a Door County tourist turned local. My family and I vacationed in Sturgeon Bay for a few summers before making the move permanent. I fondly recall our weekend trips up to the boat, swimming at the marina pool, salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, and grilling out that afternoon’s fresh catch. To me, it was just another weekend up in Sturgeon Bay, filled with friends, family, and fishing. I never imagined it would one day become my home.
After we moved, it was time to make Door County feel like more than just a vacation spot; and believe me, it did not feel like home at the time. I thought moving might mean taking the fun away from it—but I was definitely wrong. Weekend trips to the boat turned into nightly visits to grill out by the dock and even more time spent together as a family, time I will always cherish. We even lived on our boat for the first summer until we found a house to call our own. Where else could I experience something as cool as that other than on the waters of Door County? Plus, I was able to explore new places with new friends.
As time went on, my views of Door County continued to change—my friends and I were now able to drive ourselves around. What a neat way to explore the county with friends; we could drive ourselves to Wilson’s for ice cream, up to the Egg Harbor Fun Park for mini golf, or to Cave Point for an afternoon adventure. There we were, in a place where most people come on vacation, but we were able to experience everything it had to offer all year round.
It’s funny, I then moved away for college but ended up making friends with (and even living with) other girls from Door County. It’s just something about Door County and the connection we all have over our shared passion for all it has to offer. When asked the inevitable question of, “Where are you from?” my response always seemed to excite those asking, from fellow students to teaching professors. Everyone seemed to be in awe that I lived in the place they vacationed.
After a few years of moving too many times, I ended up (you’ll never guess) back in Door County for good. I think this is when I fully started to appreciate all that Door County had to offer, especially its hidden gems. There’s nothing better than taking your dog for a hike and not seeing a single other person; it’s just you and your dog, surrounded by nature. I’m reluctant to spill my secret places, but they are too good not to share! My favorites are the Door County Land Trust's nature preserves found all throughout the county. They’re beautiful hiking trails all year round, something I greatly appreciated after living here again 365 days a year.
I also don’t think I appreciated the water surrounding three sides of the peninsula until now. Growing up, I took the availability of water any day of the year for granted. You mean other people can’t just drive five minutes to go to the beach? Door County truly is a beautiful place not only to vacation but also to live. Some people may complain about the summer tourist traffic, or the lack of grocery store options (guilty!), or that there’s nothing to do during the winter, but I think Door County is what you make of it. If you learn to love it and its quirks, you’ll never have a bad day in Door County.
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