You'd think we'd know better by now!

But no.....  we apparently don't- two supposedly intelligent, educated people...  

Sea Caves- People I walked over there 6 months ago.... 

It's not serious, but let me digress.

Don't worry- I did!

I have been on a hiking kick lately.  A couple weeks ago, I went on an apple run to Bayfield and I REALLY wanted to stop at St. Peter's Dome and take some fall pictures.  I had heard about this place a few years ago, and now finally I got the opportunity to see it.  Only issue was-- it was 80 degrees that day! It was freaking HOT for September.  But the leaves were perfect.  I can't even show you any pix of myself because I took no selfies that are suitable for viewing. I was red and sweaty and very much spent.  It was lovely with color, but that hike up the dome- holy smokers.  It was a couple miles of uneven terrain, roots and streams and stones and a lot of climbing!  And then it opens up into a terrifying, though glorious. view of the northern half of Ashland county, and if you use your imagination- you can see Lake Superior!  :)  I spent some time clinging to the trees and the edge of this overlook- ugh- it gives me anxiety to think about it.  THANK heaven we had the presence of mind to take water with us.

My hiking buddy and partner in crime is the Mad English Teacher who enjoys a bit of adventure and Bayfield, just like me. Our other partner in these journeys- the Mad-Science teacher, Laurie was occupied with company both days. Bummer!!!  We missed her!

NOT an easy trail

While we had had a great breakfast that day (A frittata at Coco's?? Why yes I think I will!) but by the time we got through our final jaunt on the ferry **sniffle** and our standing on the dock staring at the water and me getting coffee and all the other things that go with these trips, we were wishing that we had had a little more to eat.  That is one tiring walk.

AND this is why I wanted to go there- Beauty!

Let me quickly interject here the CRAZY foot wear I saw people in for hiking up this thing!  FLIP FLOPS are NOT for hiking!!  Goodness.  I also saw one group in bare feet- we discussed the possibility of whether they had "interesting refreshments" shall we say.....  you can imagine whatever you want in that particular statement.

Part of the trail

Not part of the trail, but those roots continued through the trail

The creek that flows from Morgan Falls

More of the view!

Morgan Falls- the Morgan Falls route at this particular place is pretty easy and fun.  It is not very far and is really an awesome thing to see.  It's like a little fairy land there, really dark and fascinating.  The St. Peter's Dome route is NOT easy.

Fast forward to this past weekend----

A nice little clearing for the powerline that gives a great view

I am considering working on a special project with some of my students and so I wanted to check out some good hiking areas.  2 of the places suggested to me were Mount Ashwabay and I thought of Meyer's Beach, as well!!  

Bayfield, Lake Superior and Madeline Island in the distance

Our day began at Mount Ashwabay (our day actually began at Coco's North in Washburn, but that is just a fabulous bonus

) where we hiked around the trails around the ski hill.  I am not sure if this is really much of a ski hill, or maybe it is a tubing hill.....  It's not all that huge, but there is a tow rope, so there is that.

NO FILTER on these leaves- no edit, straight from the camera- there were amazing colors

A phantom self portrait in an old abandoned shack on top of the ski hill

The map and the trails were a bit confusing- we ended up never going where we thought.  Which was fine- we hiked a bit over 3 miles and it was not SUPER tiring.  There are ways to hike that aren't real steep, but we did hike up the hill...... which was tiring and steep.  Going up was not bad, but once up there my fear of heights kicked in, and things were slightly more terrifying than I anticipated.   It isn't really dangerous at all, just the appearance of a cliff which is an illusion.

Commercial break: enjoy the sights of Bayfield......

The Madeline docked, waiting for it's passengers

Beautiful downtown Bayfield as seen from the dock

Flapping flags and lovely trees- fall at it's finest

Our next stop, after some fine coffee and a scone (THANK YOU Big Water Coffee Roasters), we drove up through the orchards and got some yummy apples again  (remember this later) and headed up to the northern shore of Wisconsin.  Last January we had been on this beach, frozen as it was, and I must say, this was a bit more comfortable.  

Another season

colder days

The first thing order of business was to walk the beach pretty much as far we could before the beach disappeared and the caves began.  Our goal, though, was to walk the trail above the Sea Caves.  This trail begins deceptively easily- with a board walk for heavens sakes.  It was pretty awesome.

Map of the sea caves  hiking area

Well after .7 miles, you lose the board walk and things get serious.  It was very much like the Dome walk.  Lots of BIG steps up, rocks, roots, up hills and down hills, over streams and wet areas...  yep, hiking at it's best.  I don't mind it, it is pretty fun in reality, but when you don't know what you are in for- well then it is interesting.

Ok, so remember that last trip?  It was 80 that day, and we had some water??  It was about 45 Saturday- perfect hiking weather.  And wouldn't one think that when you are hiking at not one but two different places that you would have some sort of liquid with??  Anything??  And maybe a snack??Especially since there was not only 2 water bottles in the car but also say there was- say here's an idea- APPLES FROM BAYFIELD.  Now wouldn't that have been a portable wonderful thirst quencher??  My goodness.  You'd think we were 12 year olds or something.

 So we were a mite thirsty by the time we returned from our little journey.



  Ah, yes, this was probably  my last trip to Bayfield until the Book Across the Bay in February.  It will be a different sight then, that is for sure.

Some of the caves

A jut out over the lake

This is just a glorious place to hike, but it takes a while!  Not quite as tricky as St. Peter's Dome,  but challenging all the same.

The weather is going to be getting colder and soon it will be snowing and icy. It is so nice to have gotten in another look at fall.  Fall is so lovely and ours came fast and didn't stay too long.   Apparently the lake moderates the weather and the leaves don't turn so fast in the farthest northern counties.  Very good thing to know to make your autumn joys last longer.

Until next time, find your joys in unexpected ways!

Dogs and caves and snow and ice

Wow that was a great way to spend a Saturday!  My friends Adam and Laurie: the Mad-English teacher and the Mad-Chemistry teacher, and I journeyed up to Washburn/Bayfield/Cornicopia area of far northern WI.  Which is a somewhat crazy thing to do, seeing it is usually COLDER up there than it is here.  But cool things (and some serious good eats) were needing to be experienced.

Ices, snow, caves and people

Laurie is a HUGE fan of all things dog and heard about the Apostle Islands Dog Sled race that was this weekend.  She wanted someone to come with her, and when the Ice Caves opened up plans were formulated!

I had been to dog sled races many years ago when we had them here in Park Falls.  It is an interesting thing to witness, those dogs are amazing.  Many people think of sled dogs as big puffy Huskies or what have you, but in reality they are smaller and lighter and more "mutt" looking. Of course not all of them are, and I do NOT mean to insult anyone or their dogs, but they do not look like stereotypical sled dogs of the cartoons or legend or what you might imagine they look like.

 What was fun is to see the personality of each of the teams.  Some were very mellow while waiting to be harnessed, and some were just twitching and howling with anticipation.  And when they were all attached, the majority of them were just LEAPING and twisting and barking with joy and energy, and some were more calm. But what you saw were dogs who were LOVING what they were about to do.  Those dogs are bred to run and run they do!  It was so much fun to see.

In the chute ready to go

Take off!

Shy guy

Same boy ready to go!

Before the dogs are harnessed

Waiting their turn to go

The Ice Caves are part of the Apostle Islands National Park system and they are along the shore of Lake Superior on the northern most edge of Wisconsin.  During the summer some hearty souls will sea kayak through those caves, but of course winter time, is a different thing.  The ice is not always of proper conditions to have thousands of people walking over to the cave area, in fact the last time was in 2009 that the caves were available.  It is something that is hard to describe, as the vastness of the lake and the height of the cliffs and even the ice formations are quite awe inspiring.  Worth the trip if you are up for a walk! Be aware that you may end up parking up to 2 miles away from the entrance to the park, and then there is a mile hike to the caves..... and it is VERY easy to wander on and on and on and on.  From what I estimate, we walked a total of almost 8 miles.  The caves may be open up to another 3 or 4 weeks, of course always depending on ice conditions- which can change quickly I hear.

This is near the beginning of the cave area- lots of people walking around

Some of the amazing ice formations

An island way in the distance- I don't remember what one it is

Decorations of ice

Looking up

Adam and Laurie trying for a great shot!

Icicle variation

This reminds of the Boundary Waters landscape 

Crawled into a low cave

Amazing the different sorts of ice, colors, formations

The people at the base of the rocks are a great scale comparison

The amazing changing weather

The weather changed no fewer than four times.  We started with it snowing, then the sun came out, then the wind picked up and the clouds moved in and got distinctly colder, then it got much windier and the sun came out again.  The gloves were off and on, as was the neck warmer and hat.  I was EVER so grateful that I had toe warmers in my boots, though.  If your feet are warm, the rest of you seems to have a fighting chance!!  I also had on a pair of yak traks, which are a gripping system for your boots that works quite well on the ice and snow.  I saw several people fall on the ice, but thankfully were not injured that I know of.  We were all quite exhausted by the end of the day and it was really good to be able to land at the Black Cat for a light dinner and relaxation.

HEY, did I mention that we ate breakfast at Coco's North??  Holy smokes was that good- I had stuffed French Toast, which was so yummy it should be illegal almost.  It was a good grainy bread - 2 pieces- egg coated and had some cream cheese filling in between the pieces and a side of rosemary roasted potatoes. Had to be one of the most delicious breakfasts I have ever had.  And of course they SERVE the best coffee ever- North Winds Coffee Roasters Coffee from Bayfield.  YUM

Anyway, it was such a fabulous day, we were outside all day long once we got to the dog sled races.  Just a 10 min drive to the parking road (Lol) of the caves and we were on our feet until 3:30 or 4.  Oh it was glorious to warm up and sit down.

Makes you remember what a good thing it is to find joy in whatever you do- and however winter is treating you.  Until next time, be a joy giver everyone!  Winter can't last forever!!  Lola says so!