Today had a different vibe for me than yesterday. While yesterday I was embracing my solo adventure, today at times felt…awkward…scary…uncomfortable…lonely. I started the day out with a couple lazy cups of coffee in bed. Then I decided to head to this sourdough bakery that my therapist recommended called Cultured. Delightful place out in the middle of nowhere. I got there and ordered my breakfast sandwich. And that’s when the awkward set in…very small place…not much seating…none that is great for one person. And right after I ordered a steady stream of people just kept coming in. I think the line was out the door for the rest of the time that I was there. I would’ve liked to sit and enjoy my breakfast more, but I felt like I was just taking up unnecessary space…so kind of gulped down my food and left. It was delicious…I think.
From there I headed to Peninsula State Park. They have a really cool observation tower that is accessible via steps or an awesome ramp/bridge situation….great for handicapped accessibility or strollers. Gorgeous views of Green Bay from up there.
After checking that out I decided I wanted to go on a hike. There’s a 2 mile hike called Eagle View that I decided was about the length that I wanted to do. I saw the signs for “Difficult” at the trailhead…and well…I totally ignored those babies. Feeling all badass. Whelp…guess what? The trail was difficult…more like treacherous. I really had no business hiking it solo. When I wasn’t scampering on shifting rocks on the edge of a cliff…I was navigating roots on a slope. It was one thing after another. And then I heard a noise off to my left. I paused because it was a pretty big rustle and snapping of twigs…and then I spotted it…a freaking coyote! And my imagination took off on me….it was hunting me because I was the only one stupid enough to be hiking solo…etc…etc…etc. So I’m trying to walk faster…but yet not eat shit (as Levi says) because of the terrain…planning in my head how I’m going to take the damn thing out with my purse if it attacks…letting Jason know I might be seeing him soon…all the things. I have never been happier to get back to my Bronco in my life…and I decided that I don’t need to be a badass all the time…although it was beautiful…and went right down to the water.
I was done hiking for the day after that. There’s a really nice road that winds through the park where you can pull off and get great views at a couple spots. There is also a lighthouse that you can stop and look at. I think there are tours during the season.
After all that excitement my next thought was to find somewhere for lunch and libations. I decided to check out Lautenbach’s Orchard Country right outside of Fish Creek. It had a really extensive market, but right when I was about to figure out how to order a wine flight a bachelorette party of like 20 girls walked in…and that was it for me. I bought a 4-pack that sounded intriguing to-go and left. I think the wine scene in Door County trends more towards sweet wine from what I can tell anyway. I tend to like the drier wines better.
I ended up back in Fish Creek and bellied-up to the bar in a restaurant called Hill Street. This was not the first time I have eaten in a restaurant solo, but it was the first time I have sat at the bar. It was relaxing. I didn’t feel like I was taking up unnecessary space at a table. I ordered a Bloody Mary…which was excellent…and a Spotted Cow…because…well…WI.
My last stop before heading back to my place was the bookstore so I could buy the other three books in the series I started. The owner remembered me and we chatted a little bit about the author and he recommended some others that I might like. There was another patron in there and she ended up buying the first book after I raved about it. So now I can spend a relaxing evening reading…and trying some of the wine spritzer that I bought at Lautenbach’s…
Even, though there were some times today that didn’t feel great, it was still a fantastic day. I don’t have any regrets. I pushed myself and my limits of what I believe is possible for myself…and I had fun!
Love, Tennis, and Cancer 