The Beaver House caught my attention, as you can see. I was on my way up to Grand Portage in Minnesota and stopped at Grand Marais for some coffee. I nearly jerked my neck off while passing this sporting goods store. Everything you need for fishing, that's for sure!
At Grand Portage I camped on Lake Superior with the Chippewa Native Americans, before taking the boat over to Isle Royale. The Native Americans were very sweet to me, which was especially appreciated in such a far-away place. I must have been sweet to the bugs, as they came to visit me in horrendous clouds of mosquitoes and black flies. Crazy.
The Voyageur II was the boat that took me on a 2-hour ride over to Isle Royale in Lake Michigan. Great crew, fast ride. I didn't even get sick. That made me happy.
There are several places you can land on the island, and I chose Windigo on the southwest end of the island. On shore I pensively waited for my backpack to be unloaded, and then I was on my way.
Isle Royale is a remote car-free island in Lake Superior with 36 campgrounds and a lodge on the far eastern side of the island. The lodge was out of my price range so I got to sleep in the dirt.
Backpacking is not my favorite mode of travel, but in order to see Isle Royale, you have to do some walking. That would be me, bravely walking 4 1/2 miles to my campsite in Huginnin's Cove. Most people walked the entire length of the island about 40 miles, but I knew this gal would collapse and croak if I tried that. Along the trail, I surprised a moose and he turned around so fast and galloped away like a horse. Surprising for such a large animal.
At last I reached my little campsite in Huginnins Cove. I had to filter my water, which didn't go so well, so I decided to boil it instead and promptly ran out of gas after the second day. Then I had to eat cold food and drink cold instant coffee, with water filtered by my questionable water filter.
After setting up camp I spent the rest of my time building fires, exploring and taking pictures. I saw thousands of rocks, but did not take any as Isle Royale is a National Park, and you cannot take anything.
One of the other hikers told me he saw ice on the trail by the water, so one morning I set out to find it. Sure enough huge blocks of ice sat in a small cove, slowly melting in the warm sun.
Fragile flower blooming in the rocks and dirt.
Perfect reflection in Lake Superior. I saw all kinds of wild birds while camping on Isle Royale; an Osprey catching two fish, very large seagulls, wild geese and ducks. You can barely see the birds in my pictures, so I didn't even post.
My sister Dorothy is the one who got me looking for mushrooms. When I went to Alaska I found hundreds of mushrooms and started taking pictures for my sister, then I got hooked and started taking pictures for myself. Eventually I will look them up and get the proper names.
A small butterfly on the rocks.
This wonderful family, Becky and her dad, plus her two nephews were camping alongside of me for one night. She watched over me as well as her own family.
On the last day at Huginnins Cove, everyone that was camping with me packed up and hiked out. I had the whole place to myself and explored to my hearts content. It was wonderful! The following morning the Merganser ducks were making so much noise that it woke me up. I jumped out of bed, got dressed and rushed out hoping to see them swimming. They were out there, but so far away I couldn't get a good picture, however, the sunrise was spectacular!
On my way out, I had to cross dozens of these little bridges, very difficult with my heavy pack on as most of them had no handrails. By the time I got back to Windigo I was very tired. Had to spend one more night, where I saw another moose wading in Washington Creek. The following morning I woke up with a raging migraine, and was puking in a large baggie while trying to pack up, when a ranger came by. She was so kind and packed all my stuff, carried my pack, and helped me to the boat dock. I had to wait several hours for the boat, and was absolutely miserable. Surprisingly Becky, the gal I had met at the cove, came by and along with several other ladies helped me into the shade, brought me a drink and kept checking on me. Its all a blur, but I made it back on the boat, rode with the wind and the rain, found my car on the mainland and drove away. God bless all those people who helped me!
It wasn't long before I was feeling better and headed over to Ely to find a place to camp. Along the way, this house caught my eye, and I took a picture of the photographer getting ready to take his picture!
One last reflection in a pond and I will say good-bye. I thank the Lord for taking care of me on that trip and sending people to help me. He is a good, good God, and I am loved by Him! Good night to one and all. Susan Little