Posts Tagged ‘Apostle Islands National Lakeshore’

Apostle Islands, Day 2 — June 20, 2008

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

I’d really intended to go back to the cliffs the evening of the first day. Too tired from my paddle with the group kept me from doing so. Besides, we had cloud cover for most of the evening in any case. So, instead, I went back the next morning, a little earlier than the previous day… and alone.

Skies were a lot clearer but there was a little more chop on the water. Not bad chop but it would increase while I was out. This cliff should look familiar:

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Since I was by myself, I was more free to spend time exploring and composing shots… no where near as hurried as I’d been the day before.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

The downside was that I had no other kayaks to “place” in the foreground of my shots.

I did a little experimentation while in one of the caves.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view
Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Due to the time of day, most of the points were in the shade. There were a couple of exceptions though.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view
Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view
Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Even though I got back to the landing on Meyer’s Beach much later than when we’d put in the day before, I encountered no other kayaks while on the water. I’d had the whole sea cave area to myself. I would have liked to stay longer but, it was time to return the kayak and begin the drive home.

Apostle Islands, Day 1 — June 19, 2008

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

On Thursday morning, I hooked up with a kayak tour group from Trek & Trail Outfitters. Destination; the sea caves along the mainland near Meyer’s Beach. The 10 of us, including 2 guides, were shuttled out to Meyer’s Beach, had some quick instruction, and then started getting our boats ready.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

About an half-hour later, we were at the cliffs.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

The cliffs were awesome!

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view
Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

This is the first tunnel we spotted.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

A large crevasse lured us to explore its dank, dark depths.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

The colors, patterns and shapes were fantastic.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Someone mentioned that it was like being at Arches National Park, only with water. I had to agree. It was definitely fun paddling through the arches…

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

…to find out what was on the other side.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Threading the needle… Scott, one of our guides, pulls himself through a particularly narrow arch.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

We stopped on a sand beach for lunch. There was definitely more than enough to go around!

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Lots of smiles to go around too, on the way back.

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

Did I mention the fantastic scenery?

Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view
Apostle Islands Kayak Trip -- Click on photo for larger view

That’s all, for now, from day 1. I’ll try to have the photos from day 2 (my solo trip) ready soon. Eventually, I also plan to have a slideshow on my site that will include more photos.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Just got back from a quick “business trip” to the Apostle Islands. Went kayaking in the sea caves area along the lakeshore on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday I was with a group from Trek n Trail Outfitters in Bayfield. On Friday, I went solo. The skies were better on Friday but there was a little more wave action.

I have plenty of photos to share but need to “process” them first. Here’s one for now though…

Apostle Islands, sea cave area -- Click on photo for larger view

I’ll share more later.