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 I just returned to my hometown of De Pere, WI and it’s always a little disorienting to come back to the East coast after a trip home.  It’s like I go through some sort of time warp and have to shape shift back into a different version of myself. What’s funny to me is that I always wanted to leave my home.  I had big dreams and I thought living in a city was the best way to achieve them.  But, now as a person in mid-life, city life has much less appeal to me. And De Pere has changed a lot in the last 20+ years. I like to think we’ve sort of met in the middle. So I will give you some highlights in case you ever feel the urge to visit.

First is Zesty’s. Technically this isn’t in De Pere but it’s a short drive away. You can’t go to Wisconsin and not get a butter burger, fried cheese curds, and frozen custard. This meal lives up to the Dairy State name.  It’s not light on calories but to me it is the taste of home.

There are a few new bakeries in the area that are musts. Two Birds in De Pere has a wide range of espresso and energy drink options as well as my favorite, the pecan caramel roll. If that’s not your thing their scones are fabulous and they make pretty, petite cakes, perfect for small gatherings. Voyageurs Bakehouse has two locations, one on Green Bay and the other in Appleton. They have a wide selection of artisan breads and sandwiches, flaky pastry such as my favorite chocolate croissant, and inspired drinks like the Bergamot Latte.

This visit we tried a new nail place, De Pere Natural Nail, and I had the actual best pedicure I’ve ever had. The foot and leg massage made me feel like a well-cared for baby and the quiet relaxing music put my entire body at ease.

Since I wake up around 4:00 most mornings and often can’t get back to sleep, I took myself on a pre-sunrise walk at 6:00.  The full Leo moon was still high in the sky. The scent of pancakes and syrup perfumed the air. My walk across the Fox River bridge met the twinkle of sunrise, a deep red lighting the horizon. The sun’s slow rise took me down into Voyageur Park and out onto the viewing platform where the old bridge used to be.  I think I must have walked across that bridge hundreds of times in my youth. I have walked to calm my mind since I was a teenager. On the viewing platform I found a frenzy of locks nested along the ropes. Simple Master locks and fancy lion head locks, appropriate for the Leo full moon that roared down over the river. If you’re looking for a longer walk/jog then head to the Fox River State Trail.

Bosses News and Tobacco just relocated to De Pere from Green Bay.  I’m not a tobacco person but I was overjoyed at the comprehensive selection of magazines.  They even carried the Whalebone magazine I’ve been looking for and couldn’t find anywhere else.

The spectacularly talented tailor A.Stone is also located in downtown De Pere. He can make you an item from scratch, take in your favorite jacket, and repurpose an old item into an inspired new creation. He has even used some of my weaving in his work.

If you’re into vintage check out the 101 Club where you’ll find a lovely, curated collection of treasures.  If you want a more general selection, the De Pere Christian Outreach Thrift Store in West De Pere always has fun finds.

If you’re a chocolate person the hot chocolate flight at Tazza Italian Coffee is a must. And of course no trip to De Pere is complete without going to Seroogy’s Chocolates.  Home of the Meltaway, a delectable bar of chocolate that as its name suggests will melt in your mouth.

If you’re an art person check out The NewARTSpace in De Pere and the Art Connective in West De Pere. This summer the Mulva Cultural Center will open as well. And for the movie fan try the iconic De Pere Theater where I think I saw the original Top Gun at least 10 times. In my day the floors were sticky and the movies were a dollar.

Finally, if you like fine dining head to Bleu. The lobster bisque was smoky with precious lobster tendrils.  The beet salad’s sweet beets and spicy arugula on a smooth bed of citrus dressing was a fresh take on comfort food.

I know they say you can never go home again, but in this case, it seems that when two things change together in similar ways, the result is a truer sense of home than what existed before.