The cool air in the shaded woods refreshes and replenishes the body after being in the hot, bright, sun all day. I know this trail like the back of my hand yet, every hike is a new experience. Walking up, down and through the forest: over rocks, branches, roots, ditches you are completely immersed in nature. Deer scamper around gracefully, exhibiting the freedom of the woods. There is a shining light up in the distance, and you feel an inclination to walk toward it. After a few miles of a strenuous hike, the home stretch is all downhill, requiring minimal effort. My gaze absorbs the trees of the forest one last time before the dirt path blends into sand, and the crashing waves of the lake begin to come into earshot. Endless blue meets cerulean over the horizon, with the reflection of the sun glistening over each ripple in the water. Serenity is a rare state in today’s bustling world, but here tranquility is all-encompassing, with nature in its purest form engaging and grounding the senses and calming the mind. Whether I skip rocks or dive below the waves for a swim, I am bound to have a good time. This is my oasis, free of the distractions and stresses of everyday life. Here is a place I will always want to return to, my sanctuary and home away from home: Door County, Wisconsin.

Sister Bay is a very small town, much like the one in which I live, Lake Bluff. Indeed the  downtown area, consisting of restaurants and quaint shops, nearly mirrors that of my hometown. My dad first started taking us here when I was born, as he thought it was the perfect place for a family vacation with its tranquility and access to the outdoors. At first, our trips were sporadic, but eventually turned into consistent annual visits as we fell in love with the spot.  Each warm summer night, the town is buzzes, yet as the sun sets over the lake, the beach remains quiet, as if under the spell of the gorgeous watercolor sky. Every dinner is followed by a stroll on the boardwalk to witness the pink, orange, and yellow hues mix to make a piece of art in the sky. No sunset is ever the same, no sunset better or worse than the last. Although nature seems consistent, it always surprises us with its productions and Door County encapsulates this with every visit. I come every summer and it feels as though these vacations are truly necessary because in the days that I am here I can tap into nature and drift out of technology for a little while. I need a break from all the routine of my life and crave exposure to the rhythm of nature, one that I am much more foreign to.

Out on the expanse of water is where I experience the maximum solitude and my deepest connection with nature. It feels as though I am controlled by the lake, since the wake and current dictate where I go. I gradually drift away from the shore on my paddleboard until I am totally surrounded by blue. Open water is both frightening and incredible simultaneously  since it feels as if you are not in control and almost stranded in it, but that adds to the experience. Stroke by stroke, you slowly become relaxed and soothed, although exercising your body and soul. It grows hot, but then wind blows and millions of gallons of cool water are at your side. I relish the luxury of just sitting on the board, allowing the water and wind to pull me as I take in my surroundings. Alone with my thoughts in the purest setting--this is what summer is.The heat of the sun gets to me after a point in time, and I have to give in. After either a graceful dive off the board or a clumsy collapse, I hit the refreshing liquid in absolute euphoria. My head emerges from the water and I can’t help but grin from ear to ear. In the distance I can see how small the town really is, as I can see everything with one turn of the head. Especially eye-catching are the goats grazing on the roof of my favorite swedish pancake restaurant. They make an absurd picture as they casually pace the grass-covered shingles.

I plunge my head one more time beneath the water--cool and refreshing as the other side of the pillow--before getting back on the board and retreating back to the shore. There is nothing realistic about Thoreau’s solitary trip to Walden, despite the benefits he claims he got out of it. Loneliness is real and there is not anything much more depressing than being alone when you don’t want to be. However, a condensed Walden experience with just the right amount of isolation is satisfying. Just about an hour a day of complete solitude is more than enough when you are fully consumed in nature. I spend ridiculous amounts of time in front of screens everyday, predominantly my phone, and it feels freeing to get away from this--like unclasping shackles. Although, only for a little while. Over time it all builds up and you need to get out of the technology. One paddle board session is enough to cleanse me from a day of being glued to my phone.
Now I head back to the trail. Branching off it there is another path that is significantly more narrow and rugged. This one is much less traveled than the other. Winding through trees and overgrown bushes, the small path eventually explodes into a tiny beach. A few steps off the shore sits a towering rock, with waves crashing over it. Although a bit of a challenge, there is nothing better than climbing atop this rock. You can choose to just lay there with waves washing over you but that isn’t enough for me. I get as much of a running start as I can with the small size of rock to work with and soar until I dive into the lake, in communion with the cool sensation of the water. I can occupy myself with this for quite a while without getting bored. It is a simple pleasure, an authentic piece of undisturbed nature that can be used for fun. That is the beauty of it.
Since I was very little I have been coming to this place. In many ways, it is home. Its familiarity is what makes it feel that way. However, if it was the same as my home there would be no reason to even venture there at all. Yet the added nature sets it apart making it a perfect place to unwind and vacation. The woods, the hiking, the beach, the swimming, the paddleboarding, the tiny town, the sunsets--the magic of this spot is rooted in the nature. It is a beautiful phenomenon that I plan on witnessing again and again.