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The Apostle Islands, page 3
by katie thurmes
For a little more than $90, you can take a guided day trip exploring the sea caves in the area. These caves, a local favorite, range in size and shape with some forming delicate arches and domes, and others boasting a labyrinth of channels or opening up into giant chambers.
“It’s really fun paddling along something with that much dimensionality to it,” Green says. “You get a real sense of your own size and your paddling motion.”
For the self-sufficient adventurer or experienced paddler, kayak rental packages, including all the necessities, are available. Single, double and triple-seat kayaks can be rented for as short as four hours or up to multiple nights, at costs ranging from about $20 to $190. Most outfitters require you to take an introductory safety course for $50 before taking the boat out on your own.
Whether you take a guided tour or go your own route, the area is held as some of the best freshwater kayaking in the world. As you paddle across the glassy waters and around sand spits, you might even hear a loon calling in the distance.
“Lake Superior is in that genre of great places to go,” Green emphasizes with reflection. “And kayaking is the most unobtrusive way to experience it. You’re so close to the water, making it the best way to actually get out there and be part of the environment.”
To fully experience the area, paddlers can also camp on the islands. Options range from campsites with modern facilities to “leave no trace” wilderness experiences. For those of you who prefer to camp out of the back of your car, try one of the 60 modern sites offered at Big Bay State Park. Camping permits, which are required for all overnights in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, can be obtained from the park headquarters in Bayfield. One of the more highly prized permits for those seeking isolation belongs to Bear Island. If you get the permit to this island, it is yours and yours alone.
“When we’re just sitting on the beach at night, we may be only an hour’s paddle from the mainland, but the only thing you’ll see looking north are the northern lights and the lights of traders going past to Duluth,” Eggleson recalls of his camping experiences. “There’s nothing else out there … just black sky with stars that will knock your socks off.”
And that is part of the appeal of the Apostle Islands. As the sun sets, you can look toward the horizon at beauty not littered by development. Above you hangs nothing but a starry ceiling. Within you, a calming peace. Together, these elements characterize the Apostle Islands no matter the season—a constellation of islands that is truly unforgettable.
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| open waters: Splashes of orange and pink race across Superior toward Oak Island as the sun sets. photo courtesy mark eggleson |
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slide show: your virtual island tour get a glimpse of the area's breathtaking views |
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| paddle, paddle: Kayakers paddle curiously toward shorelines heaping with sea caves. photo courtesy hoofer outing club |
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| winter wonderland: Visitors to a wintery Big Bay State Park can enjoy stunning displays of iridescent icicles as they drip from red sandstone. photo courtesy mark eggleson |
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related article: Taking time to breathe |
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