Mini Road Trip - Feb. 17th - Day 2

Mini Road trip - Feb. 17th - Day 2

Ice Caves at Apostle Islands

The Apostle Islands are the spiritual home for the Lake Superior Chippewa. They were named by a New France historian, who named them after the 12 apostles for the 12 largest islands. (There are 22 altogether). 

The ice caves are near Bayfield, WI.. They are usually viewed by kayak, but winter makes them accessible to anyone willing to walk a little over a mile on the frozen lake ice. 

Nothing could have prepared us for the sheer beauty of the formations sculpted by nature - and the colours of the rockfaces of the caves was breathtaking. Once we had traveled for the first mile to get to the first cave, vista after vista awaited us as we hiked a further 2 miles along the water's edge.

Different Coloured Ice

'Crystal Ceiling'

It was one of those occasions where each time we turned a corner, something even more splendid was there to behold! Thank goodness for digital cameras! (Maybe you remember the days when we had a roll of film with about 32 pics on it, if we were lucky!). We took over 300 photos of the whole experience! Only a few are posted here! We're gonna try to put together a slide show for those of you who would like to see the best 40 or so. 

Superior Meditation!

Together in Joy

Cave 'window'

On the way out, we saw a huge nest high up in a clifftop tree. We guessed that it might belong to an eagle - certainly some bird of prey, if the size was anything to go by. 

After hiking for 5 hours, we journeyed back through the pretty little town of Bayfield, where we were able to see the fir trees that had marked the ski race course from Ashland, across the bay. They were still there in the ice, and can be seen as little dots in a straight line, beyond the pier. 

Beautiful town of Bay

Not that it was cold - in fact, it was quite mild (even when it started to snow) - but we felt like we needed a treat. The Big Water Coffee Roasters provided just what we were looking for! Apart from the exquisite taste of the coffee, we were spoiled with two cups of nicely decorated lattes by the server, which added to the overall experience. 

We thoroughly recommend this place for a treat

A quick walk through the small town seemed in order. We found out that this is the setting off point for the cruises around the Apostle Islands and this is something we will do in the summer on our way back from our trip out west - along with kayaking around the caves. 

It was on our walkabout that we discovered a small house tucked away in between two larger buildings. The front yard, including the entrance way, was completely snowed in. I guess they must use a back entrance!

An event we were hoping to get to in Barrie on Wednesday was booked out and so we've decided to continue our tour around Lake Superior, instead of returning along the route by which we came. So, tomorrow, we head north towards Thunder Bay, hoping that the weather will be conducive to traveling and more picture-taking!