Modern Stargazer Life

As the leaves turned and the air grew crisp, we found ourselves on our last Airstream trip of the season. It felt fitting to end where it all began—in Door County—bringing our first season of adventures full circle. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much we’ve learned in just a few months, transforming from wide-eyed novices into more seasoned campers with stories, memories, and even a list of “next time” places to explore.

Settling in at Peninsula State Park – Tennison Bay

As much as I wanted to stay caught up in that big-picture reflection, the reality of camping always brings us back to the small, sometimes comical details. Case in point: Chris backing in the trailer.

Chris took a solid 20 minutes just to back in the trailer, even though the site looked level from the start. Our neighbor across the way even clapped when he finally pulled in, thinking he had nailed it on the first try. Little did she know the perfectionist in him needed 12 more attempts to get it just right. Watching him creep forward and back over and over again was equal parts comical and maddening—I had to remind myself to be patient as he cycled through what felt like 20 identical versions of “perfect.”

Once we were settled, we quickly realized the Tennison Bay campground came with a different kind of challenge: no signal. None. Even our trusty Weboost signal booster couldn’t pull in a reliable connection from the water’s edge. At first, it felt daunting—no Netflix, no scrolling, no last-minute Googling. Even Nicolet Bay campground where we previously stayed had better reception! Here, if we wanted a signal, we had to leave the park or drive further inland. But in the end, that forced disconnect became part of the charm. Instead of screens, we tuned in to the radio for weather reports—something we actually needed, given the off-and-on forecast of rain.

With the uncertainty in the weather, we decided to leave the e-bikes at home and let the trip unfold differently. And that choice opened us up to discovering Door County in new ways.

Tastes of Door County

We ate our way through some favorites and surprises. At The Wild Tomato, their famous wood-fired pizza was just the right comfort food after a day outdoors under glowing fall colors.

The next morning, we couldn’t resist stopping at Julie’s Park Café, located just outside the park. It’s hard to avoid this place—so cutesy and fully decked out in fall décor. We sat outside for breakfast in the crisp air, testing just how comfortable we’d be with the cooler temperatures. Our hot coffee kept us perfectly toasty, and I couldn’t resist ordering cherry crepes (because really, cherries are the way to go in Door County). That breakfast outdoors gave us confidence that dining outside later in the day might just work out too.

Sure enough, that evening we found ourselves at The English Inn, a supper club we had noticed on our last trip to Door County. Back then, the parking lot was jammed, and it looked so lively that we promised ourselves we’d come back and give it a try. This time, we made good on that note to self. We arrived early—4:30 early, the kind of time that made us laugh and feel like senior citizens—but it turned out to be perfect. A couple of cocktails at the bar gave us time to soak in the cozy atmosphere before we moved outside to the patio. Fire tables flickered, heaters glowed, and as a special touch, each lady was handed a rose at the door. Between the golden leaves and the warm welcome, the night felt magical before the food even arrived.

And the food? Worth every bite. Chris’s first-ever beef Wellington was cooked to perfection, while my prime rib was one of the best I’ve ever tasted—so good that Chris couldn’t resist sneaking a forkful (or two). Just when I thought we were finished, Chris ordered a grasshopper ice cream drink to cap off the night. It was decadent, over the top, and absolutely divine. That meal became one of the highlights of our entire trip.

The indulgence didn’t stop there. The next day we had planned to try the curiously named Not Licked Yet custard shop, but it turned out to be closed on Wednesdays. So instead, we wandered up the road to Wilson’s in Ephraim. The town itself is picture-perfect, with its quaint shops and colorful fall streets, and Wilson’s fits right in—a nostalgic ice cream parlor that feels like a must-stop when you’re in Door County. We figured we’d just grab a scoop to make up for our missed custard, but here a “single scoop” is really the size of three or four. Needless to say, we overate again, but the ice cream was so rich and delicious that we didn’t regret it one bit.

Of course, not all of our food adventures were out on the town. Back at the Airstream, we celebrated a little milestone of our own: our first time using the convection oven. We baked scones that turned out beautifully, and it gave us confidence that this little oven is up for much more. We’re already excited to find recipes that are easy, tasty, and fit our small space—everything from sweet treats to cozy dinners when we’re not eating out. It was one more reminder that we’re still learning the rhythms of Airstream life, and enjoying the process.

Without our bikes, we sought out a different way to see the park. One rainy evening, while the drops tapped on the Airstream roof, I spotted an ad in a magazine for a boat cruise. We took a chance that the weather would clear, and sure enough, the afternoon opened up into blue skies. It felt like the trees themselves were celebrating, their yellows and reds glowing along the shoreline.

The cruise turned into one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Our guide was not only funny but full of fascinating history—stories of the families who lived at Eagle Lighthouse, of explorers who first charted the area, even the surprising tidbit that the von Trapp family (of Sound of Music fame) once performed in Door County. I was captivated to learn that Green Bay is the largest freshwater body of water to freeze completely each winter. Listening to these stories while floating past limestone bluffs and spotting Eagle Tower from the water gave us a whole new perspective on this unique place.

In many ways, our Airstream journey mirrored the seasons themselves. Spring carried with it a sense of optimism and promise, just like we felt as novices setting out on our very first adventure—unsure of what we were doing, but excited for what lay ahead. By fall, we had grown more confident, a little more seasoned, but also more reflective. The crisp air, the brilliant colors, and the shorter days brought a bittersweet reminder that winter was around the corner, just as the close of our first camping season reminded us this chapter was ending for now.

Though the Airstream will be parked for the winter, the blog won’t go quiet. Next up, I’ll share a special recap of all ten state parks we visited this year—each one with its own highlight and memory that shaped our first season of adventures. After that, I’ll keep posting during the off-season with recipes, tips, decor ideas, and organizational tricks that make Airstream life easier and more fun. This journey may pause for a few snowy months, but the learning (and dreaming) will continue.

For now, I’ll hold onto the memories of our first season in the Airstream and this final trip in particular: imperfect parking jobs, scones in the oven, cherry crepes, beef Wellington and prime rib at a supper club, ice cream the size of my head in Ephraim, stories on the water under clearing skies, and a kaleidoscope of fall colors—and look forward to the next season of adventures, whenever the road calls again.