10/10 Excellent
Amy S.
27 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy nice location for exploring North Door County
Amy S.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Entire home
Road Taken Authors Retreat: 2-bedroom cottage in Ephraim with WiFi, AC
Photo gallery for Road Taken Authors Retreat: 2-bedroom cottage in Ephraim with WiFi, AC
Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Sister Bay, WI
- Sister Bay Beach4 min drive
- Waterfront Park4 min drive
- Sister Bay Marina5 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Road Taken Authors Retreat: 2-bedroom cottage in Ephraim with WiFi, AC
Road Taken Authors Retreat is conveniently located halfway between Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay and Wilson's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim. Adjacent to the Summer Kitchen, Reclaimed Door County, and Spa at Sacred Grounds and across the street from Island Lavender Farm. Two bedrooms (1 queen and two twin beds), one bath cottage with furnished kitchen providing access to Northern Door County favorites. Shopping, dining, and nature areas are within walking distance. High-speed internet/WiFi and smart TVs in each bedroom. Maximum of 4 guests including children. Shared front porch and back deck accessible by walking around cottage. 3-night minimum Memorial Day weekend through Halloween.
Property manager
Krista Knigge
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Close and lock windows, turn off air conditioner. Put any used towels in the bathtub
Take any garbage and recycling to bins outside next to the white Peninsula Music Festival building.
Wash dishes used.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Ephraim
Ephraim is home to this holiday home. Frykman Studio Gallery and Francis Hardy Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include The Skyway Drive-In Theatre and Historic Noble House. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and Egg Harbor Fun Park are also worth visiting.
Sister Bay, WI
What's nearby
- Sister Bay Beach - 4 min drive - 3.7 km
- Waterfront Park - 4 min drive - 3.7 km
- Sister Bay Marina - 5 min drive - 4.0 km
- Ephraim Public Beach - 7 min drive - 4.3 km
- Peninsula State Park Golf Course - 10 min drive - 6.5 km
Restaurants
- Skip Stone Coffee Roasters - 4 min drive
- Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik - 4 min drive
- Wild Tomato Sister Bay - 4 min drive
- Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor - 5 min drive
- Wild Tomato Wood-fired Pizza and Grille - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
7.0/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Don M.
23 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
clean and comfortable
Don M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
About the host
Hosted by Krista Knigge
Krista and Corey, both Wisconsin farm kids, bought this cottage after Corey’s father passed away at 69, reminding them to cherish life’s moments. Corey’s family used to visit Door County after milking cows in Manitowoc County. They would pick cherries, grab a quick lunch, and rush back for evening milking. Krista first visited Door County with Corey when they started dating. She grew up on a dairy farm in Omro, where Knigge Farms became the first U.S. farm to milk cows with robots in 2000 (check out Knigge Farms on Facebook for tours, just 2 hours south).
The couple made several property improvements themselves, starting by removing a tree that had pushed into the foundation (guests can use the stacked firewood from that endeavor for a bonfire!). With help from friends and contractors, they lifted the house, poured a new foundation, replaced support beams, re-roofed, removed asbestos, insulated, added siding, and even added a bedroom and back porch. They kept the charming oak hardwood floors and quaint vibe of the cottage and also transplanted Krista’s favorite Hostas from Mukwonago and are constantly battling deer and rabbits to protect them. 😉
Passionate about food, they admire Door County’s culinary talent and enjoy a good meal with friends. One of their side gigs involves delivering Hoard’s Dairyman Creamery cheese from Fort Atkinson to select Door County restaurants, offering the chance to meet local proprietors. Krista and Corey also served on the Alice in Dairyland Door County Host Committee, connecting with residents and business owners to showcase Door County’s agriculture and tourism to candidates competing for the role of Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador.
The couple made several property improvements themselves, starting by removing a tree that had pushed into the foundation (guests can use the stacked firewood from that endeavor for a bonfire!). With help from friends and contractors, they lifted the house, poured a new foundation, replaced support beams, re-roofed, removed asbestos, insulated, added siding, and even added a bedroom and back porch. They kept the charming oak hardwood floors and quaint vibe of the cottage and also transplanted Krista’s favorite Hostas from Mukwonago and are constantly battling deer and rabbits to protect them. 😉
Passionate about food, they admire Door County’s culinary talent and enjoy a good meal with friends. One of their side gigs involves delivering Hoard’s Dairyman Creamery cheese from Fort Atkinson to select Door County restaurants, offering the chance to meet local proprietors. Krista and Corey also served on the Alice in Dairyland Door County Host Committee, connecting with residents and business owners to showcase Door County’s agriculture and tourism to candidates competing for the role of Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador.
Why they chose this property
Ephraim (pronounced Eee-frum by locals) is a peaceful community rooted in traditional Moravian values. Until 2016, it was the last dry village in Wisconsin, but now restaurants can serve beer and wine with meals—though you'll need to venture out of town for a brandy-old fashioned or other spirits. We love northern Door County for its stunning views, hiking, biking, kayaking, unique restaurants, and amazing food. The vibrant theater and music scene is incredible, and we recommend checking The Peninsula Pulse for event updates and local business highlights. When Corey wrote his first book, On a Wisconsin Family Farm, we rented a room along Ephraim's shoreline, sticking chapter titles on post it notes to the walls as the book came together. When searching for our ideal Door County home, we found a cozy cottage and knew this was the place for us. Corey’s second book, The Wisconsin Farm They Built, was largely written on the front porch, inspiring the name Road Taken Author’s Retreat for our cottage.
Languages:
English
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