Destination? - Bayfield!
&
Lake Superiors' Apostle Islands

February - March 2006

Images are thumbnails -
click to enlarge.

And a major storm in mid March reminded
us again.

The first few flakes ushered in child-like excitement as the view from Sailors Solace Cottages toward Madeline Island dimmed with the intensity of the snowfall.

Both reminders only lasted a couple days, and offered an opportunity to catch up with oft delayed inside chores.

Then the deer returned to the feeder, following
the same paths as before the snow fell, like
train cars on a track.

Spring rains arrived.

We wait now for the blooming season

Only a hundred years ago, logging was a big business in this part of the country.

The image to the right was taken in the early 1900s near Phillips, about an hours drive south from Bayfield. Could just as well been taken here. Or Grand Rapids, MN. Or upper Michigan.

Our logs became lumber then - which became houses.

Make that drive today and near the little town
of Glidden huge stacks of logs appear - hundreds
of feet long and up to twenty feet high.

Slow too long to gaze at the site,  and a semi trailer loaded with logs fresh from the forest will let you know he's in a hurry even if you are not.

Our logs become pulp now - which becomes cereal boxes
and reading material.

And logging is still a big business.
 

WI Historical Society

This is Bayfield in the late 1800's. Fishing was
big business, and saw mills were turning the south waterfront
into what was to be called "Sawdust Flats."

A bit right of the center of the photo is the three story Island View Hotel, in operation from 1883 to 1900 and torn down in 1913.

Some of us are lucky enough to live near the Big Lake.

And thousands of guests make the Bayfield area their destination during the summer season.

So what is there to do on a summer weekend in Bayfield?

WI Historical Society

Bayfield - 1941

Go to Flickr, enter "Apostle Islands" in the search field and it is instantly clear that the season of choice to visit here - and snap images to remember - is mostly between mid May and late October. There are few images of the rest of the year.

Some locals depending on tourism dollars, dream and scheme of ways to bring outsider throngs here during the winter.

The schemes seldom work. And from your
editors point of view, are a waste of energy
best invested elsewhere.  

In just a few short weeks fishermen will tow
their boats in to begin their season.

Boat owners soon follow to remove tarps from their vessels, scrub the hulls, varnish the bright work, and ready all for the marina crane to begin a new season with a gentle splash.

Tour boats will be refurbished and inspected.
And make the early voyages to the Apostles.

In small clumps and great fields the lupine will flourish, and Bayfield In Bloom celebrates with 11,000 daffodils and all the other welcome colors of spring.

At Sailor's Solace Cottages a whole new approach to the season, based on the reality that people simply love discounts, has been ushered in. Be sure to check their discount program  Sailor's Solace Savings  before making a reservation anywhere else

Apostle Islands Cruise Service  has completed their 2006 cruise schedule available at their revised website - or request a brochure.

And Keeper of the Light Gift Store has begun arranging new items in their shop.

And the Apostle Islands?

They are staying cool a bit longer.

Until our season arrives.

View from Devils Island
Kevin Roberts

Off Devils Island
 Robert Engberg

Hermit Island Sea Stack
Marc Peterson

Lupine Field
Paul Sparks

On Madeline Island
Midwestrocker

The Apostle Islands Waited

Air Force One landed in Duluth on
September 24, 1963.

From there President John F. Kennedy,
Senator Gaylord Nelson and other
farsighted individuals boarded helicopters,
flew over the Apostle Islands, and landed in
Ashland - where 10,000 residents and
reporters greeted them.

With these decisive words,
President Kennedy said
of the Apostle Islands:

"Every day not spent
preserving these precious
resources is a day wasted."

The first President some of us
voted for was killed two months later.

Image from  
"Jewels on the Water - Lake Superior's
Apostle Islands "

Buy "Jewels" at the
Friends of the Apostle Islands website.

"An anchorage (near Bear Island) can also be found in the northeast cove under appropriate wind and wave conditions." 

The cove is beautiful. Just don't go there when the winds come hard from the northeast.

Your editor owns two well-worn copies of  "a visitors guide to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore," by Dave Strozok  - one for the book shelf, one for the schooner.

For people who want to know more about sailing the Apostles, this is one of those indispensable resources to own - and for under $10 you can afford to own two.

Dave Strozoks' books are at Keeper of the Light Gift Store.

The first cigarette boat poker run on Saturday July 31, 2005 saw demonstrations for and against the event at the Bayfield City dock.

The second cigarette boat poker run is scheduled for Saturday July 29, 2006.

Editors opinion:

The owners of these extreme
watercraft crave attention.

Deprive them.

Poker Run
Article.

Poker Run
Homepage

On March 3 the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore unveiled the Recreational User Fees that will take effect in 2007.

The link to the right will take you to a wealth of information about the User Fee Proposal.

Recreational User
Fee Proposal

This is exiting news.

Thanks to a unique relationship between
Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore & the Park Service, you can now invest in the preservation of your favorite National Lakeshore, become a member of FAINL, display a sticker proclaiming your love for these Islands - and get this: your contribution is tax deductible!

The cost is just $30.oo (or more!) for
a yearly Voluntary Passport.

Colors will change each year.

Buy your 2006 Voluntary Passport online.

Go here for details on
the Voluntary Passport.

The following shows have been added to
the Big Top schedule since our last issue.

New First Night, Jamie Hartford & BCO - June 16
Lorie Line - June 23
The Wailin' Jennys  & BCO - July 3
Charlie Maguire, Pop Wagner & BCO - July 7
Best of the Big Top - July 9
Wisconsin Wild Woods and Waters - July 12
Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats - July 21
The Gales of November - July 23
C. Willi Myles & Blue Canvas Players - August 4
Gaelic Storm - August 10
Claire Lynch Band & BCO - August 12
David Bromberg & Angel Band - August 11
Warren Nelson & Friends - August 19
Riders in the Sky - August 27
Centennial Green - August 30
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - September 1
Taj Mahal - September 3
Chad Mitchell Trio & Tom Paxton - September 8
Old Last Night, Randy Sabien, Fiddlehead Band & BCO & more. - September 9

Lake Superior 
Big Top

Bayfield 2006 Visitor Guide

Order your copy!
 

Destination? Bayfield!
is edited by Lew Miller
and published with the
assistance & support of:

Apostle Islands Cruise Service
Keeper of the Light Gift Store
Bayfield Maritime Museum
&  Sailor's Solace Cottages

We appreciate your patronage!

Previous
Newsletters

February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
Nov.- Dec. 2005
January 2006

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