Mini Road Trip - February 16th Day 1

Mini Road Trip - February 16th - Day 1

We're on the road again - this time for a short trip to the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, U.S.A. First stop, Ashland, Wisconsin.

Just over a week ago, a new acquaintance mentioned the Apostle Islands to us as a place to visit and explore. Just two days later, a long-time friend (totally out of the blue) also directed our attention to them and specifically referred to the ice caves that are spectacular! Since we had never heard of this place beforehand, we felt the synchronicity of these two online conversations and decided to go with the flow and see them for ourselves.

The great thing about having time-freedom is that you can make a decision to do something, travel somewhere, take up something new..... sometimes on the spur of the moment.... and you don't have to consider an alarm clock the next day, or need to report to someone else!  It's a state in life I can thoroughly recommend!!

We got up early and left home at 6:15 this morning, after having our delicious smoothie breakfast. 

Whenever we reach Hwy 17 and head west, I always feel a sense of excitement as I feel I'm moving closer to the wilderness that we love. We weren't the only ones who were up early - some local Mennonites were probably on their way to Service.

Mennonites - rushing through the cold

Crossing the border in just a few minutes, we headed south, then west in Michigan, passing through some interesting scenery and places.

Flags of two countries

One of the most intriguing, was a little hamlet with the following street names: St. Nicholas St., Jingle Bell Ln., Northpole Rd., Tinsel Dr., Mistletoe Ln., Holly Dr..... etc.    You've guessed it - the name of the hamlet is 'Christmas'! There was a huge Santa that greeted us midway through the village, but we missed it on the camera! However, we did get the village sign!

Indian Head Resort in Michigan seems like a place we'd like to return to at some point. The wood carving gave a sample of what was on offer in the way of culture.

Indian Head Sculpture

Entering Wisconsin (new territory for me), we made our way to Ashland, which is nestled along the south shore of Lake Superior's Chequemegon Bay. We were thrilled when we were told that we could upgrade to a lakeview room on the top floor of our hotel. The Best Western has beautiful spot in the town, overlooking the harbour and the bay across which can be seen the City of Bayfield.

View from our hotel room

Best Western - Ashland, Wisconsin

After settling in to the room, we wanted to venture out on to the frozen lake before the sun dropped below the horizon - and the temperature dropped to join it!

Alan on Lake Superior

People sleep in their trailers on the frozen lake!

Waves - caught and frozen

Mark - about to be befriended by excited canine...

Apparently, the night before, there were over 4000 people on the spot below - folks who were participating in the 'Book Across the Bay' race for charity. A delightfully pleasant skier stopped to chat with us about it. They lined the ski trail with fir trees and lit up the route with candles. It must have been a wonderful sight... and we've already put it in our calendar for next year - on President's Day weekend. Wanna be part of that!

Groomed Race Track on Lake Superior

Mark's exhilaration can be seen in this short movie clip. He is such a happy camper when he's either in, or on, water!

Click here ->   Mark - Star Jumping on the Lake

As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, we were treated to a Superior Silhouette, of which the photo below does not really do complete justice.

Sunset over Superior

That being said, it's gonna be my cover photo on Facebook for the next while!

We are aiming for an early night so that we can rise early to beat the tourists to the Ice Caves tomorrow morning - weather permitting.

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