Cindy and I had a great excursion on a 5-day kayak and camping trip in the Apostle Islands. They are a spectacular set of islands in Lake Superior (the largest freshwater lake in the world, more fun facts here: http://www.lakesuperiordrive.com/lakesuperior/index.htm)
This was a first adventure trip on our career break and we couldn’t have asked for anything better. Everything was excellent from the tour company and guide, a great set of friendly travel companions, excellent weather and warm water. Highly recommend a trip with Living Adventures Inc (LAI) if anyone plans on making a trip to this area of the USA.
Crossing the border into Wisconsin during our 8-hour drive from Chicago to Ashland, WI
Found a well-reviewed motel in Ashland, WI to spend Sunday night before our trip began on Monday morning.
A nicely decorated room in a classic 1950s-style motel.
After a nice dinner at Southside Brewery, we took an evening stroll on the lakeside trail in Ashland, WI
An interesting method of keeping trespassers out. Guess they think someone wouldn’t drive on the grass around the fence??
Day 1
We drove from Ashland, WI just past Bayfield, WI to Living Adventures Inc. Friendly people abound here. Met our guide Jose who seems great. Reminder to myself to talk to him about a possible trip to Baja in early 2013. Met our 4 other travelers who seem very nice as well. They were a couple named Tim and Karen from Madison, WI and a second couple named Troy and Jessica from Indianapolis, IN. We started off with a classroom-type session for general and safety info, then off into the water for rescue practice. It was much easier to flip these kayaks than our sit-on-top Hobies. Found the water to be quite refreshing, but were told it’s normally about 50 degrees this time of year!
We’re sexy and we know it, especially in form-fitting wetsuits.
Next we started packing our personal gear, group gear and food into the kayaks. We made quick work of that effort across our 5 single kayaks and 1 tandem. Jose then made us a great veggie wrap (still keeping up with our flexitarian diet of mostly veggies and seafood. The tour company was more than supportive with their menu selection for the entire trip). We headed to Oak Island, camping spot #3 which was about 6 miles away. Had a nice, gentle paddle for our first day with light winds and light boat traffic. We stopped along the way to check out a 200 ft. shipwreck in shallow water. The water is greener than usual due to higher water temps and a recent downpour of 12″ of rain in Duluth, MN. Normally you can see 40-50 ft in the clear waters of this lake.
Our first day of paddling, getting to used to very narrow sea kayaks which are quite different from our Hobie kayaks.
We setup camp right along the bay with ours right on the waterfront due to the limited space. It was a bit slanted but the view more than outweighed that minor issue. Kitchen staff forgot to pack our fish for dinner and our bread bag for the entire trip. Ended up doing a vegetarian meal due to the missing fish. Boat will head out in the morning to delver our bread. Can already tell that Jose is a great chef as well as a guide. The clouds cleared off for a spectacular sunset then we laid down to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom (aka facilitree while camping in the woods without actual bathrooms). Got to see an immense amount of stars in the clear sky with no moon or other ambient light. Woke up the following morning to lapping waves on the beach 15 feet from our tent! 🙂
Day 2
Started the day off with a great breakfast from Jose. Packed up everything and headed towards Raspberry Island. Made good time with an aft wind helping us along. Had a great lighthouse tour from Ranger Jim, though he didn’t sing the “Lighthouse Keeper’s Blues” which Jose mentioned he may do. Jim did mention an interesting quote at the end of the tour about getting joy of your daily job. It was related to the lighthouse restoration project and a roofer who found a man’s signature on a roof tile which was about 100 years old. Something to think about for our next job, what type of work gives you that type of satisfaction of lasting for 100+ years where someone will find your name on a piece of your work…
Raspberry Island lighthouse and related buildings. The ranger stays on the island for 5 days, then a 2-day break on the mainland with a rotation to another ranger.
Next up was a long-ass paddle! About 10 miles to South Twin Island with a stop along the way at Rock Island for a break to stretch our legs. Ended up peeing in my wetsuit during the journey that day which was a huge mistake as I had to sit in it for about an hour. A lesson learned for the rest of this trip and all future trips: “Empty your bladder prior to departure”. Made it to the campsite which was a nice bay on the leeward side of the island. Did some exploring, took a swim, had a great dinner, watched the sunset with the group, then off to bed to rest some really tired bodies.
No sunburn for this man, fully covered with long sleeves and large brim hat
Day 3
Didn’t sleep very well last night due to the thunderstorms that rolled in late and dumped quite a bit of rain. Once again though, our tent held up well and we didn’t get wet at all. Lightning didn’t get too close either. The wind was cranking when we awoke, but Jose had a nice breakfast and coffee ready for us. By the time we got packed up the wind had shifted and let up so we headed out towards our destination of Stockton Island, camping site #21. Conditions turned out to be great the rest of the day. We stopped for lunch at a sand spit on an island. We were able to visit the sea caves on Stockton as well, which was friction awesome!! The evening rains held off , had a nice dinner and camaraderie.
Amazing what the power of waves can do over time.
A large gap in the rock which allowed a one-way entrance and exit.
Same gap with a view from the outside.
Day 4
Despite the warnings we had no rain last night. Jose had coffee and tea ready for us when woke up, followed by granola with yogurt and fruit for breakfast. We packed up and headed out to an old fish camp on Manitou Island. The forecast called for rain, but only got a light sprinkle and it cleared off. The sun came out and the water calmed down nicely. Paddled to the fish camp, had a lunch of crackers, cheese, fresh raw veggies, fruit and chocolate for dessert. Then Denise gave us a tour of the old fish camp and taught us how the fishermen used to place their gill nets in the winter ice. Then we got back in our kayaks and paddled to our campsite, which was also on Manitou Island.
Another great breakfast from Jose!
Tent camping right near the water, doesn’t get much better!
We unpacked, set up camp and searched for firewood while Jose prepared our last dinner which was a delicious soup with roasted garlic, warm bread and brownies for dessert. We then built our fire on the beach and enjoyed the overcast evening. It’s our last day of paddling tomorrow 😦
Last dinner with our group. A great set of new friends!
Beachside campfire with the group, but almost lost it due to the onshore wind and waves
Day 5
Our last day! Jose had coffee and tea ready for us bright and early at 7am. We packed up and took down our tents for the last time, then filled up on oatmeal with fruit and honey before our last paddle of the trip. We paddled about 2 hours to Hermit Island with the wind at our back the whole way, allowing us to catch some sweet waves! We stopped at Hermit for lunch, which included PB&J, fruit, veggies, cookies and chocolate.
Skirts up, pants down!
The clouds had cleared off and it had become a beautiful, sunny, cool day. We loaded back into the kayaks for the final stretch, wind still at our back helping to push us along which was a great way to end the trip due to our sore, tired muscles from paddling for 5 days. Made it back to LAI, cleaned up the kayaks and said our goodbyes to everyone.
A beautiful day on Lake Superior
Next stop: Oshkosh!
Chris, Cindy, Charlie and Cecily’s Adventure Blog 