My First Day of Summer Vacation! :)

Tuesday was my first day of full-fledged, honest-to-heaven, summer vacation. YAY.

The Apostle Islands Marina

So of course it is perfectly logical for me, the Mad-Science Teacher, Laurie and the Mad-Young English teacher, Adam, to head north to Bayfield!  It makes total sense to up and drive to our favorite restaurant for breakfast, then to one of our favorite towns to visit and definitely our favorite coffee shop and certainly the greatest ferry ride there can be.  Yeah, I am a bit of a fan of the whole thing.

The interesting thing is that I never really had been to Bayfield before about 3 years ago.  I had driven through on the way to the orchards and the strawberry fields in the past, but we never went to Bayfield for fun. No idea why.  Anyway, when the Mad-Seester and Emily came to visit a few years ago, we decided to go on up and take the Apostle Islands Boat Tour, and it was fabulous!! I had such a great time with them on the Lake!!  I was hooked right then.

Yearning for a sailboat ride

Fast forward to last year and Laurie and Adam and I went up for berries and a trip to Madeline Island and a summer tradition was born.  We went a few additional times last summer, they went with out me once or twice and I went with my sister, and of course Adam and I went up for the Book Across the Bay and drove across that Ice Road!  YIKES!  And I am forever hooked on Sumatran coffee from Big Water Coffee Roasters (if you ever need a gift/bribe for me- you now have the details, now,  kids) and basically do not use any other brand.

Just yes!!

We began our trip with a requisite trip to Coco's in Washburn for breakfast!  It is SO good.  I had a vegetarian frittata and roasted rosemary potatoes and wildrice/cranberry bread.  #heaven

NOM NOM NOM!!!

Amazing beautiful morning

One of the boat tour boats on the left

After breakfast and lots and lots of coffee We headed on up to the Marina and decided to (after soaking up the atmosphere) to take the 5 plus mile walk on the Brownstone Trail.  This involved meandering through the waterfront area, and we went through an adorable park and saw some nice landscaping and of course the lake....

In a little park on the way over to the Brownstone Trail

Stairway to nowhere

The Brownstone Trail goes along the Lake front - and it is lovely.  There are all sorts of things to behold.  Views of the lake, various houses and barns and stair cases.  It is a really nice hike.

 A random barn and silo right off the trail

Some very impressive houses on the lake!

And there were very few mosquitos!

Breathtaking view

When we got to the second marina, which is where you end up before you turn around and head back, there was some beauty to behold there as well.  Interesting to see a boat lowered into the water and all.  No place to get a bottle of water or a Margarita though, until after 5pm.  Unless you are a member of said marina.

Lifting a boat to put into the lake

The other marina in Bayfield

There was plenty of whimsy along the trail.  I enjoy this very much

The Troll that lives under a bridge

Lovely wildflower along the path

A really cool slide!!

Metal creature fabricated out of old stuff!

Great walk with great friends

So after an awesome stop to cool off and get some cold drinks at the Big Water Coffee Shop (and check out their cool new coffee roaster) we headed over to the dock to hop on the ferry. We were fortunate enough to visit with Hannah in her "office" and she gave us some backstories into the beautiful houses and some of the characters that live in the area, both full time and seasonal.  She is pretty great- and it sounds like Bayfield is inhabited by awesome people.

Sail boats as far as you can see

Taking a nap on the ferry

After arriving at Madeline Island we wanted to go to the one place we never quite got to last year and that is Tom's Burned Down Cafe.  It is quite the fun place to be and quite eclectic and eccentric.  I LOVE it there!!  We treated ourselves (those of us who drink, that is) to a Salty Chihuahua!
This was beyond awesome and we proceeded to find the little beach where we sat and watched the lake and the people

Tom's selfie with friends

Lovely vista

Looking for a different viewpoint

soak in the view

Repetition and pattern

After hanging out on the island and deciding what we will do next time we come (get ourselves to the State Park that is 7 miles down the road) we wandered back to the ferry and rode back to the mainland. Where we were exhausted and starved!  After a very nice meal  (Pasta and vegetables with garlic toast) at Greunke's, we headed back to Park Falls via the Chequamegon Food Co-op.  I found myself nicely lightly sunburned and tired.

The interesting thing about Bayfield is the actual sun can feel warm and we got quite warm walking, however, the wind off the lake was chilly, dare I say cold, on Tuesday.  So in order to stop the sunburn from getting worse I just put on and zipped  up my sweatshirt.

 **note to self, keep the sunscreen WITH YOU!!**

Sculpture on the marina

One of the ferries passing as we are going to the island

So many pasttimes

JUMP

Daily routine

I put this in here to freak out the locals!!!  Hehehe  Hard to believe that this was the view not that long ago as I was driven across that bay!!

A mere 6 months ago - the ice road

This is the preferred view- no ice to be seen!

This is the life

You all know that we will be going back.  And that will be a joy!  Until next time, soak up all that joyful summer-time that you can.  And give some joy to those you know!

LOVED this mini-vaca!!