That One Time At Summer Camp...

Let me tell you, some traditions are really worth keeping; summer camp is one of them. My mom used to regale me with tales of going to camp every summer up north (and was always sure to finish it off with a subtle "I'd love to see you go to Camp Zion one day."). Pretty much everyone in my family had gone there at one point or another and my mom seemed hell-bent on adding me to the distinguished ranks of "Camp Zion alum".

As a child who wasn't naturally inclined to being extremely social, the idea of summer camp scared the living daylights out of me. Days away from my family, forced to live in close confines with strangers, and worse, strangers my age?? God-forbid. 

In the end, I relented, and only because my best friend was also going to camp. Not only did it change my life (no, really!) and have an amazing time, but it proved that, yet again, my mother knows best. So I attended camp for the next several years and loved every minute of it.

Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/CampZion

On the Sunday of the week of camp, we would pile into an old bus and drive four hours north to Door County, Wisconsin. It was hot and awkward because it was the beginning of the week and no one knows each other yet. *Spoiler alert* The way home was the best part. Anyway, the camp is charming; it's set on a bluff, thick with trees, that overlooks Green Bay. You slept in cabins and ate in a mess hall. It was awesome. 

Photo source: www.facebook.com/CampZion

We went kayaking, played organized games, and swam in the lake. Sometimes we would walk through the forest at night with nothing but blankets and our flashlights to find our way back. We bought candy during canteen hour (with our parent's money of course). Pranks were pulled, friends were made, and crushes were had. But honestly, some of the most beautiful moments happened at the end of each day: we would all gather on the dock for the evening sermon, around a fire, and watch the sun set into the Bay. It was beautiful and incredibly meaningful. Suddenly it all made sense why my mom wanted me to go to camp so badly.

While I know that I went to summer camp several years ago, I hope it hasn't changed much. I hope they still have skit nights that make you burst at the seams with laughter, I hope they still make you sing (out loud, in front of the entire camp) when you get mail from a person of the opposite gender, I hope that there isn't internet access so that campers can disconnect from "the world" and get to know the real thing. I hope they still sing silly camp songs about jeeps and kissing in canoes. Because it's definitely a tradition that I intend to keep when I become a parent.

Sailing and Spying

 

I wanted to finish another Door County vacation post before the week ended, and I finally found some time to complete it! Luis and I did a ton of boating and exploring on our trip; our theory is that if we're going to visit somewhere new, we might as well see it and experience it.

We too a ferry over to Washington Island. It's a sizable island that sits right off the north coast of the Door County peninsula. We drove our car right onto the ferry and got out to explore the boat a little.

Once we docked, we wanted to drive around the island, but we were dangerously low on gas. We were told there was a station on the island, otherwise we wouldn't have taken our car onto the island with us. We drove...and drove... and drove... I started to fear that we missed it or that we plain wouldn't make it to the station before my car gave up. FINALLY we saw it and all was well. 

When we got back on the Door peninsula, we drove to the town of Fish Creek and visited the state park. They have a viewing tower that you can climb up and see an incredible view. 

I wouldn't call the tower rickety... but it was very windy the day we went up... so you could feel it slightly move and creak from the wind...

On our last day we went sailing on a chartered sailboat called the Edith M. Becker. It was such a great experience. We were able to see how they hoisted the sails and prepared the boat for sailing. In addition, one of the crew members played the violin, so we got to hear folk music during the entire excursion.

Door County Trip: Part 1

Sometimes, in life, you do things because they make you feel good. I know. That sentence was about as eloquent as Barney... but seriously. For most people out there, a lot is required of them, whether it be at their jobs, with family, or unforeseen complications. But sometimes I feel like we glorify "busy" in our society. You meet with friends and the first answer you get when asked how they are is, "ugh, I'm just so busy," like it's socially unacceptable to be anything other than overwhelmed. We forget that everyone has responsibilities and run-ins that they'd rather not have.

And I am absolutely, 100% guilty of doing this... all the time. Life has me in a bit of a choke hold right now, but why should that be what I meditate on each day? If my twenty-two years have taught me anything, it's that life changes and it changes rapidly. What I'm going through now will seem so distant in a few months. Some aspects will remain, but things come and go. And I'm forgetting one thing: I'm not alone. And don't get me wrong: I'm not saying we can't have an honest dialogue about what ails us. I just don't want my problems to be my focus.

That's why we take vacations! It's necessary to disconnect for a few days, literally vacate your life and your mind for a brief time, and reconnect with love, happiness, and peace. It has nothing to do with denial or blindly sweeping things under the proverbial carpet, but it's all about perspective; it changes when you remember what it feels like to "just live."

Neither of us had been to a winery before, and we really wanted to go on a wine tasting tour. We ended up at Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery for a tour and tasting. Their winery sits right next to their fairly extensive orchard where they grow their own fruit to turn into wine and other products to sell in their market. The barn houses the wine production facility and tasting room. It smelled amazing in there. Not only do they make wine from grapes, but they also turn peaches, apples, and cherries into amazing wine. Plus, we got to keep our tasting glass (I'm a sucker for freebies...).

 

Waiting for the tour to begin. We had amazing weather!

I love this photo that Luis took of an old truck through the grape vines. 

Luis was pretty adamant about getting out on the water in Door County...

More specifically, he wanted to go parasailing...

So he did! He chose to be suspended at 500 feet, which was the highest option you could choose. 

...Can't even see him...

What do you do to reconnect with yourself and with life?

On the Road Again

 

FINALLY. Luis and I were able to put life aside and get the heck out of town! Last weekend we took a vacation to Door County, Wisconsin, one of the most beautiful places on earth (in my opinion)! 

My family and I always took a trip up here every summer. Fond memories are associated with this place, and did I mention that the drive up is absolutely gorgeous? Well it is. Especially in the Fall.  

So we packed up my little car, grabbed the camera, and were off! We passed so many farmer's markets, cows grazing (hehe), and pumpkin patches. 

Door County is rife with antique shops and vintage stores. I hated being dragged into these places as a kid (hello, creepy) but now, it's hard for me to look away if I see one. Also, I have got to find a new way to include myself in my photos... The turn-and-pose-and-smile is instinctive when I want to take a picture quickly and not look like the blogger creeper...

We found some great stuff but didn't commit to anything because of some things that might be changing in our future. We also found some... not so great stuff. This doll? What the heck...

The first thing we did when we checked in was unpack... Ok I lied. I unpacked, Luis fell asleep. It's ok though... he drove the entire time and that gets incredibly exhausting.

We had dinner at a restaurant called Alexander's of Door County. Um, AMAZING food. We ended up going back twice... I ordered Chicken Alexander which was breaded with crushed hazelnuts, topped with asparagus, brie and a lingonberry dill sauce. Absolutely phenomenal. Also, their cocktails were perfect. 

Stay tuned for more about our trip!