Apostle Islands

Friday morning, 10 August 2007, we head for Ashland, Wisconsin for a weekend of exploring the Apostle Islands with friends Bob and Cathy Wellman from the Twin Cities. After parking our Winnebago in a campsite with a perfect view of the lake I helped Bob and Cathy get the boat in the water and to their slip while Mary prepared a Lasagna we bought at Contino's Deli in West Duluth. The lasagna was terrific and the boat was almost ready to go when we decided to call it a night.

Ashland Marina

Bob & Cathy's boat the Hay-Bay-Bee

Bob & Cathy with Sheila

On Saturday morning we left the Ashland Harbor, loaded with an adequate supply of food and drink, and headed toward Raspberry Island for our picnic lunch and a tour of the lighthouse. I awoke to a steady rain at 6:00 AM but now we have clearing skies and the temperature is perfect. What a beautiful area and what an opportunity to explore it at 30 mph on this 28 ft Bayliner. One of the attractions of the Apostle Islands is the many lighthouses.

Ashland Lighthouse

Raspberry Island Lighthouse

Old Michigan Island Lighthouse

New Michigan Island Lighthouse

After a great picnic lunch of brats and burgers at Raspberry Island we continued our tour by boating to Devil's Island for a look at the caves along the shoreline.

Devils Island Caves

Our tour continued with a stop at Michigan Island to climb to the top of the new lighthouse and tour the facilities. We missed our opportunity for a swim in Lake Superior here and cruised toward Bayfield while enjoying snacks and wine. In Bayfield we enjoyed a nice dinner at a patio restaurant with a great view of the harbor. Then we cruised back to Ashland Harbor and went to the hotel for nightcaps on the patio while we watched the sun go down. Not a bad day! Thanks Bob & Cathy.

Sunset over Ashland Harbor