We recently returned from our vacation in Bayfield Wisconsin. What a wonderful place to visit! We stayed at the Bayfield Inn, which is right on Lake Superior, so we were close to all the ferry docks and boat tours.
We wanted to become familiar with the Apostle Islands, which cover 720 square miles of western Lake Superior, so we started out by visiting Madeline Island-which is the largest of the Apostle Islands, and a short 20 minute ferry ride away from the main land. The island had a museum, little shops, and many miles of hiking and biking trails.
Our most interesting adventure was the Apostle Island Cruise. Captain "Frosty" navigated the
Island Princess near many of the 21 other Apostle Islands on a 3 1/2 hour narrated cruise. Captain "Frosty" came from a fishing family and grew up on the Islands. He made the trip very enjoyable with all his stories about the people and places in Bayfield.
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| Captain "Frosty" |
Devil's Island, the northernmost point in Wisconsin, has wave-carved sea caves that can be entered by a kayak on a calm day. The island's name can be traced back to the time when the Indians inhabited the islands. The name is translated "evil spirit." Waves entering the sea caves during storms forced air up through the blow holes in the island's surface, emitting strange sounds that were interpreted as those of an "evil spirit."
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| Devils' Island Sea Caves |
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| More Sea Caves |
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| Old Fishing Camp on Manitou Island |
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Devil's Island Lighthouse
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We spent lots of time walking around the town, visiting the shops, viewing the boats, and enjoying the wonderful local food.
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| Bayfield Winery |
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| Pork Nachos from Maggie's |
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Fresh Picked Berries from Hauser's Bayfield Winery
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Bayfield Maritime Museum
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| Captain Lou in the wheelhouse |
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Gulls swarm a fishing boat
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| Chocolate Pretzel Lalapalooza ( so amazing!) |
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| Best Omelet ever at the Bayfield Inn |
We also visited the Legendary Waters Casino where Lou won a little money. He was fascinated by the slot machine "Texas Tina" and chuckled every time the machine shouted out: "Who's Your Daddy?"
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| Texas Tina: "Who's Your Daddy?" |
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| View from the Waterfront Walk |
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| Comparative Depths of the Great Lakes |
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| Ferry Leaving for Madeline Island |
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Beautiful View from the Rooftop Dining
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| Just hanging out at the harbor |
On our way home, we stopped to visit Jim and Jackie. Most of the boys were gone to summer camp, so seeing only 2 of 7 boys was quite strange. Jim and Jackie are anxiously awaiting numbers 8 and 9 in about a month.
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| Waiting for numbers 8 and 9 |
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| Roman and Victor having fun! |
This was a peaceful and wonderful area of our state and we will certainly be back!
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| We want to go back again! |
