As vacation trips go it was only three days but when our
friends Dick and Sharon invited us along
we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Although we had driven the “circle
route” around Lake Superior several times before we had never stopped in Bayfield
Wisconsin to head out onto the Apostle Islands. There are 21 Apostles not 12 as
you might think. This was our chance.
For many decades
lighthouses (scattered throughout the islands) have guided ships and boats
through the often treacherous waters of this area of Lake Superior. The Wisconsin town of Bayfield is heavily populated
in the summer months because it's the main access point to the islands from the
mainland. A car ferry runs from Bayfield to Madeline Island.
Mrs. T photographs Bayfields harbor as we wait for the ferry to take us to Madeline Island. Madeline is part of the Apostle but not of the National Park as several hundred people live year round on the island.
A definite "adventure" the next day was a visit to Raspberry Island to tour the lighthouse and have a picnic. Unfortunately hordes of blackflies arrived about the same time by the millions and after visiting the lighthouse we moved the picnic back aboard our boat and went for a cruise among the islands.
Dick and Sharon await some smores that evening in Bayfield and a lady from the past who will entertain us with stories of lighthouses, storms and shipwrecks from long ago.
Longfellow said it best, " By the shores of Gitche Gumee, By the shining Big Sea Water". And I can only add "we had a great time....."
Along windswept beaches and cliffs, visitors experience
where water meets land and sky, culture meets culture, and past meets present.
The 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland host a unique blend of cultural and
natural resources. Lighthouses shine over
Lake Superior and the new wilderness areas.
For many decades
lighthouses (scattered throughout the islands) have guided ships and boats
through the often treacherous waters of this area of Lake Superior. The Wisconsin town of Bayfield is heavily populated
in the summer months because it's the main access point to the islands from the
mainland. A car ferry runs from Bayfield to Madeline Island.
Hop aboard the bus
with us as John Grabko of Historic Adventure and Travel Tours leads us to the
Apostle Islands…..
Mrs. T photographs Bayfields harbor as we wait for the ferry to take us to Madeline Island. Madeline is part of the Apostle but not of the National Park as several hundred people live year round on the island.
Our bus is loaded aboard the ferry as we head off to tour Madeline, visit a State Park and have evening dinner on the island.
The State Park had some wonderful views and beaches but one not so great was to discover our coach had gotten stuck. Much shoveling was to no avail till a road grader showed up and pulled us out of the hole.
While on board there was a surprise birthday cake for Mrs. T. who later wanted to know "who spilled the beans?"
Happy Birthday to Mrs. T! Sounds like quite an adventure. Sometimes short vacations are best.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Mrs. T from me, too!
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Duluth for several years but never got to the Apostles. Can't imagine wintering on an island in the big lake, though!
Cheers,
Jo
I didn't know those islands even existed. Thanks for the tour. It looks like y'all had a great time even if someone spilled the beans about the birthday. Someone always does that to me too!
ReplyDeleteNot much fun getting stuck, but the rest sure sounds like fun! Happy birthday to Mrs. T, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun to me. Happy Birthday to Mrs. T!
ReplyDeleteI have Heard the Apostles are beautiful. Would like to visit but not with swarms of tourists and black flies! --Nancy
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fun trip!
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to your mrs! :) keep the blackflies, though.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteWe did not go out to Madeline while we were there late last August. But we enjoyed a cruise around the rest of the islands, and thoroughly enjoyed the shores & surrounding areas.
Wow! I had no idea (geography was never my strength)there are so many islands on Lake Superior!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Mrs. T . . . . looks like a fun time (except for those flies)!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful area.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mrs. T. And many, many more. BTW: You do know that people live longer and happier with a dog, don't you? Hint,hint.
That must have been a good birthday party for Mrs T. It's a way more of us should travel...just get on the bus>
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Mrs. T.
ReplyDeleteAll those little islands look like they would be fun to explore.
Isn't it nice to have a road grader on speed dial.
Golly, much happiness to Mrs. T on her birthday. What a neat excursion to go on. I would love to do that, but the black flies can stay home. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice for you to see you on my blog! =)
Belated Happy Birthday Mrs. T! It has been years since we stopped in that area. I think we just took a tour by boat from Bayfield. Looks like fun:)
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of the Apostle Islands (course I've never been to Lake Superior before). Sure glad that grader pulled your bus out of the mud or you might have been the picnic lunch for the black flies!
ReplyDeleteHope Birthday wishes came true for Mrs. T. ~ so glad you had a great time .
ReplyDeleteSmores and some stories??!! And birthday cake??? Oh my stars...now that sounds like my idea of a good time! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your sweetie!
xo Catherine
Who wouldn't want to visit Raspberry Island? I wonder if that's what attracts the flies. In any case, it sounds like a great vacation.
ReplyDeleteI have driven by the area a few times but never went out to the islands. Nice photos and I bet it was a great journey.
ReplyDelete