Lake Superior and the "Way Up North" (cont'd)

On Saturday, we had reservations for a cruise around the Apostle Islands.  Apostle Islands are in Lake Superior and are the northernmost part of Wisconsin.  They are an archipelago formed by glacial ice, wind and waves over millions of years.  Over the years, the 22 islands have been quarried for brownstone, logged until there were no trees, and the lake was over-fished.  Today they are designated as Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.  In 2004, 33,350 acres of the park were protected as the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness.  Much of the islands has returned to a more natural state.  Our cruise took us around many of the islands and showed us some of the unique features of them.

Bayfield WI Marina

Bayfield WI 

Numbered Quarried Brownstone

The Stones were numbered so as to put them 

together in order so they fit tightly when building a home.

Sea Stacks are formed when rock erodes along closely spaced joints and is separated from land.  Eventually they erode enough and are swept away.

Sea Stack

Gull on a Rock

Fish Camp Reproduction

Bald Eagles Nest in Tree on Left

Sandstone Washed Away to form Caves

Devil's Island Lighthouse

Raspberry Island Lighthouse?

Our Cruise Vessel