A Few Good Friends
When the National Park Service was unable to afford the timely printing of "Around The Archipelago," the official newspaper of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore used to inform guests to these Islands, a group of Friends funded the printing costs.
When a young kayaker died in the Sea Caves near Meyers Beach last August, because no one was there to warn him of exploring the Sea Caves in rough conditions, the same group of Friends decided to fund a part-time Park Ranger to offer guidance to kayakers.
These same Friends have made a passionate decision that if the NPS is not funded in the proper amount to protect these Islands, they will volunteer their time and spend their money to achieve what needs being done on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
And it appears that these same Friends are determined to cast their votes for current and future legislators who share their love of these Islands.
Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is quite simply the best run non-profit organization I've ever seen.
And the Friends need more Friends.
Check them out. They love these
Islands. You love these Islands. So put some time and money where your love
is.
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Hiking To Lighthouses
Gaylord Nelson, visionary founder of Earth Day, and a career long advocate of wilderness preservation died July 3.
It was Gaylord Nelson who flew President Kennedy over the Islands in 1963, just months before the Presidents death, and began the long process of forever protecting these Islands from development forever.
I feel sorry for people who come to Bayfield, shop a little, take a glance at the Lake, maybe even ride the ferry to Madeline, then leave, thinking they have visited the Apostle Islands.
They just don't get it.
To "get it," board one of the boat shuttles provided by the Apostle Islands Cruise Service.
Go out to Stockton Island, hike over to Julian Bay, take off your shoes and wade the clear, cool, pristine, sandy shore of Lake Superior.
Go out to Raspberry Island, or better yet Michigan Island, climb a few stairs, hike a short distance, make your way up into a lighthouse. And look. And listen. And inhale.
Only then you may begin to understand why Gaylord Nelson said "it is tremendously important that this collection of islands be preserved."
Early Bird/Late Bird
At Apostle Islands Cruise Service and Sailor's Solace Cottages there are three words we really dislike saying.
People who plan ahead for their Bayfield visit will never hear those words.
But procrastinators will hear "sorry, we're full."
When there is no Inn to stay in, no seats on the boat departing for lighthouses, and only grounds tickets at the Big Top - it's simply because an "early bird" got what a "late bird" wants.
So if you are headed for Bayfield, pick up the phone.
We'd much rather say "yes" than say "sorry."
150 Years Of Maritime Heritage
On a showery afternoon, I took two grandchildren to the Bayfield Maritime Museum, paid the reasonable fees, and made myself a hero - for that afternoon, at least.
It is a fact that grandfathers don't always pick the proper thing to do with the kids. But that visit was the right thing for all of us.
Bayfield's maritime heritage stretches back 150 years.
None of it is boring. All of it is relevant.
The kids were spellbound by the hands on exhibits.
And one somewhat jaded adult got a wonderful education.
My advice? Go to the Bayfield Maritime Museum.
