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Sunset on Sister Bay in Wisconsin

Playing hooky: A Sail to Sister Bay

My husband, Bill, introduced me (Joan) to sailing in 2020. I took to it right away. I loved to relax on deck and in the cabin, help hoist the sails, and watch the sunset on the water. We started our 2021 sailing season on June 9. As soon as we could wrap up our work day on that Wednesday, we packed our bags and drove to Little Sturgeon. Bill and I set sail aboard the Alissa Joy, a 35-foot Beneteau Oceanis sailboat docked at Wave Pointe Marina.

Basically, this was a shake-down cruise. I learned a lot during my first sailing season. Now in my second season, it took me a while to remember it all! I overpacked – do two people really need a case of bottled water for three days? I forgot many of the nautical terms, sailing techniques, and knots that I knew last summer. Nevertheless, the get-away was a success.

Sunset Cruise in Southern Door County

Arriving on Wednesday night, we had just enough time for a sunset cruise. Our neighbors helped us launch the sailboat, and we were off. The night was comfortable, with enough breeze for sailing. It felt so good to be out on the water again. What a peaceful time to sail. We didn’t see any boats or fishermen, just nature all around us. It was a great start to our mini-vacation. We had no destination in mind, just chasing after the sun. We took our time, took our photos, and returned to Wave Pointe Marina.

Sailing to Sister Bay in Northern Door County

Bill posing making eggs on a sailboat

On Thursday morning, Bill made us a hearty 5-egg omelet in the Beneteau’s galley, and we set sail. We had a full day of sailing ahead of us. We were sailing on the bay of Green Bay from southern Door County to Sister Bay in northern Door County. Because the winds were calm, we motor-sailed. I pulled out my laptop and worked awhile but mostly just watched the passing scenery. We passed the Strawberry Islands and watched flocks of birds flying around. We saw fishing boats, a buoy tender, and Door County tour boats showing visitors the bay.

Docking at Sister Bay Marina


Eventually, we reached our destination, Sister Bay Marina, where two marina workers helped us dock. Docking is one of the trickiest parts of sailing, so I was grateful for their help. After a day on the water, it felt good to go ashore and stretch our legs for a walk down the main street. We marveled at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, beer garden, and gift shop. The restaurant is open 9am to 3pm, so we’ll have to go back another day for Swedish meatballs.

Al Johnson's Stabbur sign

Enjoying our Visit to Door County

We stopped for ice cream, visited a few shops, and sat on the beach watching some kids play in the water. We sat close to Sister Bay’s open-air concert venue that draws crowds for music and movies on the weekend. We ate at a local restaurant before returning to the marina. We walked around the marina, visiting with other sailors to learn about their sailboats and recent excursions. Finally, we sat on a park bench to watch the sunset. This sunset was more beautiful than the first night! A sailboat in the distance made it even more stunning.

The Comfort of the Alissa Joy

Our day in Sister Bay came to an end. Marina guests receive a passcode to the bathroom and showers, so we showered before settling in for the night. The cabin of the Alissa Joy is so comfortable because of its spaciousness, air conditioning and dehumidifier. I like to feel the gentle motion of the boat when I’m falling asleep. The Sister Bay Marina is quiet, and sleep came easily.

Sails extended with clouds in the background

Day Sail in the Bay Green Bay

On Friday morning, the winds were perfect for sailing out of Sister Bay and back to Wave Pointe Marina. The sky was blue, the clouds were big and puffy, and the Alissa Joy sailed beautifully. At midday, I went below to make sandwiches, which we ate in the cockpit. Afterwards, I laid down on the bench seat, covered my face with my hat, and took a nap while Bill sailed us through the bay of Green Bay.

SailTime Door County Vacation

Our get-away came to a close on Saturday morning. Our vacation was complete. We had sailed one evening and two full days on our first Sailtime Door County trip in 2021. Regretfully, we packed up, cleaned the sailboat, and left Wave Pointe Marina. We’re already looking forward to our next cruise with SailTime Door County.

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