One of the great things about spending the summer in Door County is the chance to see lots of live music. The guides here at DCKT have been taking full advantage of the live music scene. One of our favorite places to go hear live music is Fred and Fuzzy’s, which is right on the water in Sister Bay. Every Tuesday starting around 7 pm The Nicks (Kalen, a DCKT guide, plays sax in the band) take the stage and we enjoy sitting right in the front row, catching a beautiful Door County sunset and listening to some fantastic music. Of course the Art of Music concert series right here at the Door County Outpost (our new location) is another wonderful spot to catch some music and it showcases an array of outstanding singer-songwriters throughout the summer. And on Sunday nights at the Camp David party barn there is always a fabulous show to listen to. Camp David is a unique beautiful location (on Hwy F in Fish Creek) to watch live music and the shows are always a fun time. Besides Fred and Fuzzy’s, The Outpost and Camp David there are a number of other live music venues, but these are our favorites and we hope to see you at some of the shows!
Greetings everyone! I am sitting here in DCKT head quarters on top of a sore bottom as I am in training for the sprint triathlon this Sunday! I’ve been doing some last minute cramming with the help of some guide friends. Michelle and I swam from Nicolet Bay to Horshoe Island yesterday and today I ran like the wind. In anticipation of this Sunday, I’ve even laid off eating my weekly pint of Ben and Jerry’s.
The Tri capped off at 1000 people on May 12th. That’s quite a few people. The race will begin at 8 am in Murphy Park, which ironically, is the same place where we launch our kayaks for our “down winder” tours. So naturally, come the 400 yard swim I think I will have a large advantage because I know Murphy Park waters like the I know the “Carlisle” on our paddles.
Doing the sprint part of the tri, I’ll be swimming 400 yards, biking 18 miles then running, (if I survive the swimming and biking) the run is 5k, which comes out to be 3ish miles of running. The real brave IRON men/women will be
So as guides here at DCKT we just can’t seem to escape the joy of being on the water. On our recent day off Michelle, Rachel and I decided to take a spur of the moment trip to go white water rafting on the Menominee River. Going down class IV Piers Gorge was awesome! After the Gorge we even managed to get our 10 person raft surfing a wave and then took a lazy river ride on tubes back to the ranch. It was a fantastic trip and we love being out on the water during the summer!
To sit in a kayak and paddle is fun, but fishing from a kayak is even better.
Everything is sweeter in summer, including July fishing in Door County. It seems like there is no bad spot to fish in July.
Our adventerous spirits have lead us to the next best thing in the sport of paddling: Kayak Fishing.
Besides an inexpensive method of fishing, the health benefits are worth it even if you don’t plan to fish. With no motor and noise, our little fish friends are not as afraid of your kayak as a sport fisher with the engines going. If you want to see nature close up, a kayak is a good tool.
There are several great spots to fish around the Door. While everyone’s eyes get easily distracted by the fancy charter fishing boats, we like to take a step back and be “in” the water when we go fishing. A great way to enjoy the relaxed, laid-back life- style of a true Door County local.
Here at DCKT, we have been studying and scoping out the best places to catch some big ones, so you can go home and have your very own “Door County Fish Boil”. We’ve narrowed it down to five different locations: Clark Lake, Lake Europe, Kangaroo Lake, Mud Lake, and Lost Lake.
If you are more of the gutsy, extreme fisherman, then you would probably enjoy going to Kangaroo Lake to reel in a big ol’ smelly Northern. Careful though, they grow pretty big here in DC, so it might pull you right in!
The more traditional excitment of reeling in that fat large mouth, and thinking to yourself, “Wow I’m a really good fisherman”, is what Clark Lake, and Lake Europe is all about.
Now the tranquil, relaxed fishing excursion: pan fishing. Picture this, being in one of our sit-on-top kayaks with a fishing pole in hand, sun shining, beer in the other hand… Just kidding :), and seeing the sights, pure bliss. Lost Lake and Mud Lake have supberb Blue Gill and Crappie fishing. Stick a hot pink jig on your line, drop it in the shallow, stumpy marsh water, and let ‘em feast. The excitment, in my own opinion is just as fun as reeling in a big honker.
And who could forget about the walleye, it’s the best eating! Kangaroo Lake is the perfect place to go catch that trophey walleye that is going to beat all your other buddies stories.
The beauty of this art is simplicity at its best, and waiting to be enjoyed by you!
*Fishing licenses are required for those 16 years or older.
This season is just taking off, and it wouldn’t be the same without our new home base at the Door County Outpost. You’ve got a ton of opportunities to get in on the area’s new and unique marketplace.
If you’re hungry and curious, say no more. I recommend the Quesanini, a quesadilla and panini mix, but there is plenty more: smoothies, teas, sandwiches, etc.
The Art of Music summer concert series:
Featuring performances by national folk artists in a smoke-free, intimate setting.
Try one of several micro brews or grab dessert, then enjoy local stars!
JULY 2008
July 5
Saturday
Karen Mal & Buddy Mondlock
7:30 PM
$10.00
July 10 Thursday Brian Vander Ark
7:30 PM
$10.00
July 17 Thursday
James Lee Stanley 7:30 PM
$10.00
July 19
Saturday
Jana Holland
7:30 PM
$10.00
July 25
Thursday Peter Mulvey
7:30 PM
$10.00
July 31
Thursday Corey Carlson & Dorothy Scott
7:30 PM
$10.00
AUGUST 2008
August 7
Thursday Carrie Elkin
7:30 PM
$10.00
August 14
Thursday Antie Duvekot
7:30 PM
$10.00
August 21
Thursday JULIAN HAGEN & FRIENDS 7:30 PM
$10.00
August 28 Thursday Michael Johnson
7:30 PM
$10.00
Door County’s own wine: Parallel 44
* Handcrafted European Style Wine
* Wine Tasting
* Local Vineyard and Wine
Soaps & Sundries
- Hand-made soaps
Forte Art Gallery
- A colorful blend of original artwork from local and national artists
- Everything from themed clocks and quilts to Peace Bears!
And of course, come out on the water with Door County Kayak Tours!
The summer solstice was at 6:59 pm on June 20th and summer seems to have finally arrived in Door County! The solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year and the weather couldn’t have been more “summery”. Solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) since the sun appears to be standing still. Celebrate the solstice by getting outside and having fun in the beautiful weather. We are loving spending more time outside with lots of cookouts, bike rides, kayaking, hiking and trips to get icecream!
Greetings from sunny Egg Harbor! Things around DCKT and have really started getting busy as the weather has been getting warmer. We have added a new memorable and adventurous event to our kayak tour menu- a “down-winder” tour that launches at Murphy Park and docks at the Egg Harbor public beach. It’s the perfect paddle because when the south wind prevails it provides a great tail wind. We have also added kites that help pull the kayak along and they’re tons of fun for all ages.
If you’re more into the kayak night life, come join us this Wednesday, June 18th for a Moonrise tour. Moonrise tours are gorgeous- and a double treat! Not only will you be able to see the moon rise in its full, you also get to experience a picturesque Door County sunset. What a perfect way to spend an evening in Door County!
So what are you waiting for? Give us a call to book a tour today for a unique Door County experience that you’ll never forget!
Today is the first day of Fyr Bal in Ephraim!! Fyr Bal pays homage to early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Tomorrow we’re going to have our annual Fyr Bal tour, where we will paddle Eagle Harbor and get an amazing view of the flaming fires that welcome in the Summer Solstice. Aside from an awesome opportunity to paddle with us, Ephraim will have tons of fabulous fantastic activities such as: artists, musical entertainment, shopping, trolley rides, family activities and of course, a classic Door County fish boil on the shoreline. We are going to paddle at dusk, where we will be able to enjoy the sunset, then watch the 9 or so bonfires blaze then fireworks to end a great night. I’ll be wearing my Fyr Bal hat and Norwegian earrings all day long! A warm Scandinavian welcome awaits you in Ephraim anytime of the year but especially so during Fyr Bal!
For the complete schedule visit- http://www.ephraim-doorcounty.com/fyr_bal.html
So the meteorologist predicted a day full of thunderstorms….and instead it turned out to be a fantastic day of kayaking. The fog rolled in this morning with a bit of a drizzle, and while crystal clear sunshine days are fun, this weather turned out to be ideal for kayaking at Mud Lake. The fog gave our kayak tour an even greater sense of adventure and the perfectly calm water created beautiful reflections of the reeds, water lilies, and shoreline. The water lilies are just about to bloom and in a few days the bright bursts of yellow will make Mud Lake an even more scenic paddle. Mud Lake is a State Natural Area that boasts a large variety of plant species and the DNR says it “has a truly wild character to it.” Enjoying a really fun paddle at Mud Lake sure beats the stay inside sort of day the weatherman predicted!
As new comer to the Door County area, I have already fell in love with the sights, sounds, and amazing atmosphere here in the north east peninsula of Wisconsin. I have had some great experiences so far including kayaking out on the water and viewing, for the first time, the caves that truly are a sight to see, hiking around on Eagle Trail in Peninsula State Park, cooking some amazing food, meeting a wide variety of unique people that are all pulled together by the love of the outdoors and the atmosphere that comes with it, and many more. One thing that I continue to find breathtaking every day is how stunning the sunsets are and how they leave you with this amazing feeling of serenity. I can’t wait to kayak a sunset tour soon and be able to view one from the water. I already know this is going to be one incredible summer and I can’t wait for those consistently beautiful summer days and all the fun that comes along with it. Living out at ‘Camp David’ on county highway F has also been a blast and Fishstock concerts are definitely going to be a highlight. This is the type of summer fun you just do not want to miss!
We wish the best for you all on Memorial Day weekend!! The forecast looks like great weather leaving us with lots of options for fun things to do. It may be a little chilly so please be prepared for a safe and warm trip out on the water. If you decide to take out your own kayaks please make sure you are wearing the correct clothing, know all safe precautions and rescues, and are able to have an enjoyable trip free of worry. If you are at all hesitant and are still yearning for some time out on the water with beautiful scenery, give us a call and we will make sure you are prepared, safe, and have a great time on your Memorial Day vacation. Call now as spots are filling up quickly… we are happy to accommodate you!
Come join us and celebrate the 4th of July on our guided firework tours!! As we kayak along the shoreline with glow sticks and headlamps you will surely enjoy the grandeur of our Independence Day on our relaxing night paddle at our two unique locations. View the Baileys Harbor fireworks on Friday the 4th. What better way to view the booming annual tradition than from the water. Saturday July 5th we will be enjoying the Venetian Boat Parade in Fish Creek from the shore and then get geared up in our kayaks for the fireworks to follow. There is no better way to make your 4th of July memorable and unique than to celebrate with us. This is an experience you won’t want to miss whether it be a romantic night paddle or an exciting fireworks extravaganza, you will certainly enjoy your Door County Fireworks celebration from the serenity of the water!! Openings are still available so call now to reserve your spot.
Exploring Door County these past few weeks has been a blast! The weather is getting nicer every day and more and more people are out and about. One of my favorite activities has been biking the Sunset Trail which winds through the 3,776 acre Peninsula State Park. The trail offers great views of the water and scenic routes through forested areas. The back-roads have also proven to be fun for biking and I often find myself surrounded by beautiful farmland and rolling hills with not a car in sight. Of course getting out on the water has been fabulous as well and there are so many great paddling locations! I am looking forward to a summer spent outside. Pictures to come soon!
We had some fun and did a small T-Shirt photo shoot. Erin is sporting one of our Door county T-Shirts we carry. Our logo is screen printed on the front of the shirt. We have blue and red available. To purchase our Door County T-Shirt on line, click Door County T-Shirts.
Our new location at The Door County Outpost is ever evolving!
The Door County Outpost is now carrying Parallel 44 local vineyard wines, they are located in Kewaunee, WI.
So get back from your kayak tour, saddle up to the wine bar and have a wine tasting at The Door County Outpost with us.
One of there wines has a full taste of Door county cherries, though I am not a huge fan of most sweet wines and especially those trying to achieve Door County Cherry status, “door county cliche’ , the Parallel 44’s Cabernet Sauvignon changed my mind!
Cabernet Sauvignon: A European styled barrel-aged red that is full of tannins and cherry fruit flavor.
This past Wednesday David, my friend Jack, and I went for a paddle down Mud Lake at the Ridges Sanctuary.
The weather was gorgeous, but the water temperature was a tad chilly at 40 degrees F. 
During the trip we saw a variety of birds, frogs and fish. The Ridges Sanctuary is known for a large variety of flora and fauna in the wetlands area and boreal forest. We heard the potent call of the small spring peepers. Although we didn’t see any, they were very audiable. Frogs are indicator species, which means they are the first to be affected by pollution and changing habitat conditions. With this said, it was quite a joy to hear such an ample amount of these frogs. Besides the Spring Peeper, we heard the Western Chorus Frog, and possible echoes of the faint but resonant call of the American Toad. Also, I have included some short audio clips of the frog calls. They’re pretty easy to hear once you know what they sound like.
Spring Peeper
Western Chorus Frog
American Toad
In the Aves department, we had a few sightings. Although none of us are experienced birdwatchers, we managed to decipher a few species. Some of the most exciting sightings were:
Peregrine Falcon Cardinal Sucker Fish
We also thought we saw spawning salmon, only to realize that they were in fact, “large lipped” sucker fish.
As we were returning from our paddle, Jack and I decided to take the “easy” exit, while Dave decided to brave the ominous tunnel rapids. We were mystified as he flew through the spider- infested tunnel towards Moonlight Bay.
Overall, we all had a marvelous time and learned a lot. I even got to drive the kayak bus for the first time. And let me tell ya, backing up is surely an art that takes a lot of practice!
Runners, make sure you get an upper body work out in too!
Special $10 off for any1/2 marathon runners. Type coupon code “marathon” in coupon area when checking out.
Door County Half Marathon
When: Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Where: Peninsula State Park. This USTAF certified course starts and finishes near Nicolet Beach. The course winds through the park giving runners an opportunity to experience breathtaking views of the water, shaded areas through the woods, challenging hills and ever changing scenery throughout Door County’s most popular park.
Registration: www.doorcountyhalfmarathon.com
Nicolet Bay 5K Fun Run/Walk
When:10:30 a.m. just after the start of the half marathon.
Where: This race also starts near the beach and participants will follow the course along the water on Shore Road going around the bay past Welcker’s Point, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse to Bluff Road and back. Walkers are welcome to participate in the 5K.
I’ve been thinking about little ways to promote DCKT. Tee shirts would be
awesome but i wanted to get some ideas and feed back before i started working on designs.
however bumper stickers are rather simple.
i don’t know how everyone feels about bumper stickers but I’m personally a fan.
if anyone has any suggestions, ideas, or inspirations that would be grate.
Being on the water as much as we do, we have quite a list of lost, broken, abused, and waterlogged cameras! The 2 cameras we are now using for our kayak tours photos are the Cannon SD800 with the waterproof housing, and the Optio stylus wp. We originally were using a Cannon SD 400 with the waterproof housing, but it was lost on a tour.
The Cannon SD800 IS w/Waterproof housing
Positives
- Bigger Buttons to push
- Larger and easier to find
- Takes abuse
- Takes fast pictures
- Good Quality
- View finder
Negatives
- You have to keep the inside lens of the waterproof housing clean as well as the lens of the camera you are using
- we had one of the buttons to turn on the power on the inside of the housing get free an
- old battery charger does not work with new batteries(is this an annoyance of anyone else)
The Optio Stylus WP
Positives
- Smaller
- takes good panoramic pictures
- good resistance to cold
- slips in your pocket and is not obtuse
Negatives
- Gets washed out with light easily
- Slower to take a picture(Not good, as you float by what you want to take)
- No viewfinder
- grainy images
- xd card(you need another card reader if your computer doesn’t read xd cards)
- hard to look at viewing screen with sun on it
- horrible battery life with stock battery
Tips to using a camera on the water
- Turn the camera’s options to stay on all the time, but have it shut off the display after 30seconds, that way you don’t have to turn the camera on and wait for it to load before every photo as well as it somewhat saving the batter.
- shoot with the sun at your back or to the side to reduce glare
- shoot with the sun directly in front of you if you are looking to get a great silhouette photo
- Rain-x on the outside lens of the waterproof housing will stream the water off the lens and reduce unwanted water marks on the lens.
- Attach your camera to your life jacket, but make sure that you can use it within eyes distance and that it does not impede your safety or paddle stroke or bounce around(I don’t like it hanging from my neck for very long, I like it carabinered to my pfd and laying in my lap.
Are there places to camp away from the crowd and fly fish for carp in your area. I’ve heard a lot about fly fishing for them off the limestone flats of Door County but cannot find anyone with specific information as to where. Supposedly the best places are shallow rocky limestone flats that provide good habitat for crayfish and other aquatic insect life. I’d appreciate any advice,
Thanks,
woody
Woody
I have only ran into one other person who flyfished for carp, he said he loved it. There are years when I see them everywhere, knocking into the boat when they spawn, making you think they are a bunch of sharks,waiting for you to tip over and then there are years when I barely see them at all.
The best area I have seen the carp and that the other fly fisherman pointed out is Moonlight Bay, or North Bay, both being fairly shallow. There is no camping on those bays, but plenty of camping around Bailey’s Harbor(car camping). To get away from most of the peeps, I would suggest Rock Island(no car, kayak over or ferry over)or Newport state park( small hike in) reservations are recommended dependent on the time of year for both. Rock island has a few shallow areas south of the island near the jetty that might be a good area and Newport state park has a very flat decline into lake michigan. All areas on the east side of the peninsula would allow the best access to low lying flat limestone flats because of the geology of door county. Door County, the west edge of the Niagra Escarpment gives the peninsula a unique geological pattern that is similar up and down the coast. Imagine, the west coast is the edge of a bowl, which then drops off into Green Bay and the east coast is a shallow slope into Lake Michigan, which gains depth slowly.
The fly fisherman mentioned how the carp, being bottom feeders did not go after bait in the same way as other fish, but that you had to place the bait in front of their mouth for them to suck up. Once they were hooked, they provided one heck of a fight.
We will be playing with the idea of fishing from a kayak this year. Our sit-on-top rudder kayaks, would make excellent fishing kayaks, as they would make it easier to direct yourself hands free, , provide more room to handle the fish and are more stable.
Let me know what you find out!
David
