Wisconsin: Door County, The Hermitage - An Awesome Family Vacation Retreat. 
A large Christmas tree stands at the end of the music room in counterpoint to the molten-gray fireplace; rays of summer light cut a sharp line across the piano and frame a comfy 1960’s vintage chair. French doors open to a gathering of mature birch trees creating a moss patterned quilt of light on the ground. The room has a north woods spirit which matches the rest of the grand old cabin known locally as The Hermitage, not really a cabin at all.
The Hermitage is vintage north woods. Perched at the top of a knoll and surrounded by mature trees, flower gardens and a meadow, the 17-acre estate offers privacy just minutes from Egg Harbor or Fish Creek. India ink colored beams rest between white cement lines making the exterior striking from any distance. Picture perfect, it is just the place for the folks from L.L. Bean or Ralph Lauren folks to do a photo shoot – rustic, elegant and comfortable.
The house has a history which is part of the charm. Built by the Oscar Meyer family in the early 1900s, it served for decades as a retreat from the rush of the city. Today guests can enjoy the ambiance of the vintage retreat and the amenities of a contemporary vacation home.
The house has a warm welcoming personality; for our family it was love at first sight. The teens took over the upstairs loft and middle loft even before the cars were unloaded. As we invaded the kitchen with groceries I heard “oohs and ahs” first from the family room/library and then from the music/game room. One young voice echoed a series of must-read titles from the library wall. “Can we stay the rest of the summer?” she questioned. From the music/game room it was let’s play Clue first, no Boggle, no Monopoly.
Equally as impressive, the selection of DVDs and music CDs make the house a home-away-from-home.
There is truly no need to pack your own. I actually hoped for rain so our vacation pace would slow and I would have an excuse to curl up in one of the many comfy chairs with quiet music and a book. Instead I just got with the program of morning walks in the garden; afternoon tea in the music room; wine at sunset; late night movies and games. The house offers several comfortable spaces ideal for casual conversation which is an obvious benefit for any family with multiple generations.
The location about midway between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek makes it easy to enjoy concerts, theatre, golf, shopping and in season cherry picking. For our family The Hermitage was ideal. While we all love each other and like to be together we also like our individual space and the grand old home provides just that. From the deck in the back with its ready-to-use grill to the freshly cut pathway through the meadow and perennial garden, it all worked for us. We enjoyed fresh cut flowers from the garden; sipped teas on the deck in the afternoon and walked down a nearby road to watch a glorious sunset.
Our days were packed with biking, horseback riding, golfing, picking luscious cherries, and just chilling at the house. Our evenings included music concerts, live theatre and glorious sunsets. We dined at Villaggios, only a short walk from our vacation home. (Ah, the pasta is awesome and the deserts looked beautiful.) There was time for a fish boil in Fish Creek. Where else? And we had the good fortune the see the production of 'Noises Off' at the new Peninsula Players Theatre.
The Details Description: The Hermitage easily sleeps eight. All of the sleeping rooms are up stairs so night owls can roam downstairs without interference. The master suite has a king-sized bed adjacent bath and sunroom which is framed by treetops. Two other bedrooms and a sleeping loft share another full bath with a cozy antique tub/shower. For bathroom lovers, no need to worry, there is another bath at the bottom of the central staircase. Hermitage's expansive living room (a.k.a. music/game room) has plenty of windows each with a unique view of the birch forest. There is a formal dining room with fireplace and two lovely sets of French doors, one facing the garden and the other looking to the woods. Set on the morning side of the house the casual breakfast room is almost a solarium. The full kitchen includes a range, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and plenty of pantry space. Grilling is available on the deck on the forest side of the house.
Activities: 
The house is well stocked with books, board games, VCR, DVDs and CDs. For young members in the family there is a swing set and sand box. The lawn offer plenty of space for a game of catch and the meadow path is just long enough to seem like an adventure for you companions. The house has web access.
Value Added: Guests staying at the Hermitage may use the facilities and benefits of The Shallows Resort. This includes tennis courts, free bikes, heated swimming pool, kayaks and a front row seat on Green bay for some of the best sunsets in the world.
In the Area: Look for Juddville on the map and you will have a sense of place. Not far north is the new Peninsula Players Theatre with awesome seasonal productions. Also on Peninsula Players Road is the Hands On Art Studio, the perfect day-escape activity.
Discovery: Also on the 17-acre estate there is a studio cottage which was once a music studio. Today the cozy fieldstone and timber cottage is a vacation getaway. The main floor features a grand hearth room with sofa bed and a TV with VCR, satellite television and a full kitchen. A spiral staircase leads to a master bedroom with its king-sized bed.
The Shallows Resort also has two other family vacation homes in the vicinity. Like the Hermitage each has its own personality and unique location benefits.
The Bluffside: Located at the base of limestone bluffs, the three-bedroom, two-story home has high wood ceilings and large windows which look out on a densely populated forest. In addition to a gas fireplace there is a full deck with a gas grill and picnic table. The full kitchen is modern and well appointed. The master suite has a luxury bath with an indoor whirlpool tub and shower. Upstairs, two more bedrooms feature a queen and a double bed plus a bath. The Bluffside sleeps six with ease. Amenities include: a color TV, VCR/DVD, satellite TV with HBO and a stereo with CD player. Rent a DVD from the front desk of the Shallows or choose a book from the Bluffside's small library.
The West Ridge: See the Bay from every room. Located on a very private stretch of shoreline overlooking Green Bay this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home delivers awesome sunsets daily. A spacious great room with a large stone fireplace has cozy couches and a state-of-the art entertainment center wired for surround sound and attached to satellite television with HBO, a VCR and CD player. The entertainment center is also connected to speakers throughout the house. The kitchen adjacent, to an oversized screen porch, is spacious and welcoming. A wooden deck stretches the entire length of the rear of the house and is anchored by a gas grill.
Location: The Hermitage Estate is owned by The Shallows Resort. One you reserve a stay at the Hermitage they will provide specific directions. The Shallows Resort 7353 Horseshoe Bay Road (Hwy G) P.O. Box 20 Egg Harbor, WI 54209. For reservations call toll-free 1-800-257-1560, (920) 868-3458 or
www.shallows.com Family Vacation Planning Details Hands On Art Studio. Checkout the family-friendly workshops. 3655 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212. (920) 68-9311, toll-free 1-888-868-9311 or
www.handsonartstudio.com
Hyline Orchard. N 8240 Hwy.42 Fish Creek, WI 54212. Toll-free 1-888-433-2087
www.hylineorchardfammarket.com Door County Shakespeare. Staged at Björklunden Lodge during the summer months, this veteran company offers audiences delightful and entertaining interpretations of classic theatre under the stars. Go for the wine in the garden before the show and meet the cast. Door County Shakespeare Baileys Harbor, WI 54202-0351. (920) 839-1500 or
www.doorshakespeare.com
