Door County...Seasonal Job

Door County is considered the thumb of Wisconsin because it looks like it if you imagine the state being a hand. It is the area north of Green Bay beginning around Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay is the last time you can use your cell phone even if AT&T tells you it will work....believe there is no service unless you have cellcom. It is the last place for any kind of chain...like McDonalds,Target, or Pickn'Save,etc. if you are dead set on a certain brand of something, you better get it here. Dont be thinking you'll just get it when you get there. Once you start going up the peninsula, its all little stores. The biggest grocery is the Piggly Wiggly. It was huge huge news when we got a Pamida last year so this is not so much the case anymore...however I have never been there so I cant say for sure. I have managed a cafe/motel there for the past 6+ years called Julies Park Cafe & Motel. It is located in Fish Creek(pronounced Fish Crick if you want to act like a townee)at the entrance to Peninsula State Park. There is a bike rental across the street and behind it. The park is huge and loaded with bike trails and campsites. We are probably the busiest place, very family oriented and fun. We pride ourselves on customer service...needless to say we are busy as all get out, all the time....line out the door. It is nutty. Most of the employees are students from all over the world who come on a special work/travel visa called the J-1. Czech Republic,Slovakia,Bulgaria,Bellarus,Pol and,Germany,Lithuania,etc For many of the kids, it is there first time in America and some their first time away from home. We provide housing much of which is above the cafe like a huge dormitory. My job is mom and to train the staff every year...it is interesting, a whole different deal let me tell you....It is a 100 hr a week job to get everyone trained in and keep the place running. I am not exaggerating. However, it is only May-November. I have 3 phones, 2 houses, and really 2 lives. Opening is exciting....but closing is better. There is a certain feeling to working at a place that has a beginning and an end. It has been a wonderful experience. Here are some photos of the area and how it is there but it is definitely something that cant quite be captured in photographs.