Sheboygan: Who Knew?

I’d been in Sheboygan for less than 24 hours when I saw the t-shirt: “Sheboygan. Who knew?” it asked.

I certainly didn’t.

I had an idea I would like it. It’s called the Malibu of the Midwest, after all, and while I’m not a surfer, put me near water, especially water that laps a shoreline, and I’m a happy woman. But other than beaches and the fact that my friend Lori loves it, I didn’t know what to expect.

I arrived ignorant of the city’s many charms, and 48 hours later I wanted to live there.

Why did Sheboygan enchant me so? Arts, dining, history, outdoor fun, THE BEACH, community, pride — there’s so much wrapped up in this lakeside surprise.

Part of the reason I wasn’t sure what to expect was because it had been a while since I’d been on a press trip. While I had explored Elgin, Illinois, a couple of weeks prior, I’m a former resident and am very familiar with the area. The only other destination visit I’d done since pre-pandemic and pre-cancer was the writing workshop I taught in Gulf Shores, Alabama, in March. I felt a little rusty. Did I even know how to do this anymore?

I needn’t have worried. I thrive on learning as much as I possibly can about a place, having new experiences, and documenting everything so I can say to you, “Hey, you should do this.”