The two islands are nearly joined by sandy shallows that offer boats ten feet of depth between their north ends.

They also share a population of Park Service staff, a history of use, development and popularity, and the reputation as a safe place to park your boat when when things get rough out on the Sweetwater Sea...

These private places all go back to fishing camp days, and to the kind of development that would have made these islands a far different place had not the Park Service started their own kind of "development" in the1970's.

After all, it was only just under 30 years ago that the legislation allowing the Lakeshore passed after years of false starts.

It is not hard to find individuals who were displaced as the Park Service carried out what had been legislated. Some have told their side of the story so many times that it is now easier for them to be silent. But vocal ones can still be found.

I think their stories should be recorded and posted.

Anyhow.

There is a very nice dock on Rocky and beautiful sand bottom to anchor in all along the southern third of the island.  There are campsites, trails and sandy beaches, and vistas from high above
the lake to the west where the sun will often set in a blaze of color.

It would be far different if this were not a National Lakeshore.

And most of us wouldn't care all that much for that. Because most of us wouldn't be welcome here.

From the sandy tip of Rocky Island we can look to the east, to places we have already visited; Cat and Ironwood and Manitou and Stockton. That's Otter Island dead south of us about half a mile. That high island over to our west about three miles is Bear. We'll see Bear Island again after we sail down the east side of Otter and stop for lunch on shore.