"Cruise Day Continued....."

A view of Bayfield from the cruise boat......


Madeline Island was on our right when we left to cruise out into the Apostle Islands.


Our first "close up" of one of the islands. This one is Basswood Island.


Our first sight of how the water has begun cutting underneath the sandstone rock.


This is the opposite end of Basswood Island. The rock formation on the end is called "Honeymoon Rock". It used to be connected to the island with a stone arch, but unfortunately, that part collapsed in 1975.


This is our first sighting of the lighthouse on Devils Island. The island is the northern most point of land in Wisconsin. This island is known for its large sea caves, some of which are seen here.


The largest sea caves line this part of the shore.


A closer view of some of them.......


And yet more. As you can also see, the day we went for our cruise was a very calm one, too.


This is the lighthouse on Raspberry Island. Tours are available at certain times when a ranger is on duty.


The cruise was very enjoyable. If visiting the area, I would consider it a "must see".

"Our 1st Full Day at Bayfield....."

I know it is unusual for me to post a blog entry on a weekend, but we have so many photos of the trip that I feel I must or I will be blogging about it way too long afterwards and not be able to post about our exciting daily life in Madison. ;)

As many of you know, Don and I are pretty early risers. Being on vacation doesn't really change that. :) Here are a couple of morning views from our deck........



Yes, I also brought "fixin's" to make breakfast, too. We ate breakfast out on the deck in the bright morning sun. :) We did not do this every day, as we wanted to check out local places for breakfast, too. :)


A view of the house we stayed at from across the street. We had the entire 2nd story......Unit 3.


Our plan that morning was to take the Grand Island Cruise through the Apostle Islands. Here is Don on the pier that led to the "Island Princess".


Seagulls at rest and we "think" on the metal roof for warmth, too. It was somewhat chilly that morning.


We never saw anyone around this boat, but it is a beautiful one to be sure, eh?


Incoming ferry from Madeline Island.


Our cruise boat the Island Princess........


A small geodesic dome home sitting above the town.....


Cruise day continued tomorrow.......

"Our Arrival in Bayfield....."

Our neighbor, Rob, bought us a bottle of Belgian Red beer to bring along on our trip that we promptly used for our 1st "happy hour" on our deck, which overlooks the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. I'd brought along "all the fixin's" for a nice little start to our time in Bayfield. The Belgian Red was delicious! I actually prefer it to New Glarus Red, which "was" my favorite beer. :) Rob did GOOD!!!!


The view from our deck. That is Madeline Island in the distance. Madeline Island is the largest of the Apostle Islands and is also the only one where people live full time.


Don enjoying Rob's gift.......


We hadn't gone into the Maritime Museum yet when this photo was taken.......they were closed on Monday's.


But that didn't stop us from looking around at the outdoor pieces of their exhibits. ;)


Another piece.......


One of the U.S. Coast Guard boats. We stayed very close to their office.........of course, we were close to everything in Bayfield. It isn't a large village/town, so VERY walkable, even for me. :)


There is a park at the "point" by one of the marinas where we sat down on this huge glider. It SQUEAKED so loud that we did not pursue a long "glide"...........


Don enjoyed the many aspects of the playground......


Turning the blocks to the same color.......


Checking out what to try next........


Which didn't take long.......the tube slide beckoned.


And then the climbing wall......


And lastly, the tire swing.......


A shot with one of the marinas in the background.


This is one of the Madeline Island ferry's. It was docked on our side of the harbor for a few days. The ferry's dock was about 1 1/2 blocks to the north from our place.


This concludes our day of travel up to Bayfield. We enjoyed a very nice dinner at Greunke's First Street Inn, which, once again, was "just down the block" from our place. OH! By the way......we stayed at The Garden Guest House, which is on First Street, too (thus right on the water).

"On Our Way to Bayfield, WI......."

As some of you know, Don and I drove up to Bayfield, WI for a few days. This was a "scenic spot" prior to entering Ashland, WI, which is on the southern shore of Chequamegon Bay in Lake Superior. In this photo, you can barely see the opposite shore of the bay, along which we would soon be driving to arrive at Bayfield.


This was taken as we arrived in Ashland, WI, a town on the southern shore where iron ore was loaded onto freighters and shipped across the Great Lakes and further abroad. The last standing shipping dock is seen in the background.


This is what is left of another shipping dock.


A closer photo of the old shipping dock.......


On the opposite side of Ashland, the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center was a stop we decided was needed. It has a viewing deck that "called" to us........


The bay is out there in the background, barely seen on the horizon.

An inland view from the visitors center........


The trip photos continue tomorrow with our arrival in Bayfield.

"Last of Ride the Drive......."

A few photos of the "variety" of bikes on the Ride........

The "original" "Big Wheels"........


A recumbent tandem........


And the new "ELECTRIC ASSIST" by Trek.


What event would truly be "an event" in Madison without the Oscar Mayar Weinermobile?

"More of Sunday's Ride........"

This bike was from 1924-26, but Don wasn't sure, having heard the year while riding. :)


Portable "Boom Box".........


In the John Nolen Tunnel.......


A mother/daughter trying out a "Double Seater".


The "official sign".......


Still more to follow........