Four days of cloudless skies and
perfect temperatures provided the background for an unforgettable weekend in
Door County, Wisconsin. The Country Inn
Resort, tucked among forty-four acres of woodlands on a bluff overlooking
Sister Bay, set the stage for our family gathering. Ralph and I basked in the
pleasure of being with our son, Steve, and his wife, Patti, and our daughter,
Laurie, and Jim. With grandchildren away at college or working, the six adults
had our first opportunity to be together without distraction.
We walked, golfed, biked, and swam in the Bay. We shopped,
toured the country roads, sampled the offerings of the Shipwreck Brewery, and enjoyed
a wine tasting at the Stones Throw Winery. A roadside Farmer’s Market provided specialty
wheat bread and locally grown apples. Back at the Inn, the inviting pool,
steaming hot tub, and available shuffleboard court beckoned. Our cameras worked
over time to capture the moments.
Each morning began with the Inn’s tasty breakfast offerings,
featuring homemade breads, Door County cherries and vanilla yogurt. We packed
picnic lunches and prepared dinners together in the well-appointed kitchen of
the penthouse. With the breathtaking view from the balcony, and attractive and
comfortable furnishings, we felt no need to venture out the first two evenings.
The flat screen television offered U.S. Open Tennis and the Brewers game while
we played dominoes until our eyes couldn’t stay open. Love and laughter
punctuated every moment.
We asked each other, “How could this weekend be any better?”
On our last evening, we had our answer. The six of us packed up our homemade
dips, specialty crackers, supply of wine and beverages, and climbed into our
SUV to head for the Ellison Bluff State Natural Area. A picnic table beckoned,
offering the prime viewing point for watching the sun slowly disappear into
Green Bay. With the setting so perfect, the sunset so beautiful, and our joy of
being together so special, several of us had tears in our eyes.
Steve had selected the Shoreline Restaurant at Gil’s Rock
for our final dinner together. Would it be a letdown after the spectacular
cocktail hour? Not to worry. The seafood surpassed expectations and as we
departed the restaurant the almost-full moon added to the enchantment of the
evening.
But of all the special moments, none equaled the shared feelings
of love and affection as we bid each other goodbye. How blessed we are.
