Memorial Weekend on Sand Island
This year, for ISK's trip to Sand Island, the nine-member group of paddlers enjoyed unseasonably warm, sunny temperatures. The mighty Lake Superior was very kind to us. The hour-long paddle out to the island was bright, blue, and tame. The water temperature was a typically stiff 39 degrees.
Upon arrival at the island, we set up camp. It was still quite early in the day, so after lunch we took a trip out to the sea caves on Swallow Point, on the island's northeast end. It was about a half-hour paddle, and some paddlers explored the caves. The group was feeling motivated, and the weather was holding out, so we paddled further on to Lighthouse Point. Here the wind picked up a little, but just beyond the point was a long, hot stretch of white beach beckoning us over. We got out and stretched our legs. Some got a chance to snap pictures, others napped in the sun, and still others, like me, scouted out spots in the woods for a little peel-off-the-wetsuit pit stop. The return paddle was a tad windy, with 1-foot waves keeping us on our toes.
Upon returning to the camp, we all contributed to a truly inspiring potluck dinner. The old adage is true when it comes to potluck-everybody brings something different, and it all works out just fine. We even had two kinds of dessert! As a camper who loves to eat as much as I love to get active, I enjoyed everything from chili to fresh salad (!) to campfire-grilled brats to pasta to...well, you get the picture. David's frybread, made fresh in camp, was a big hit (see below). And there weren't any marshmallow-mystery Jell-o salads, either.
That night, while lounging around the campsite, we experienced a little rain, but it stayed little, so we sat around a big fire and told stories under an extraordinary full moon, low and bright over the water. Of course, all stories told around a campfire must be kept secret, so that's all that can be revealed.
The next day was another beautiful, sunny day on the lake. Some of the group struck out to circumnavigate the island, while others stayed behind and took the two-mile hike to the lighthouse. The hike was both scenic and moderate, a very pleasant way to pass the day. Plus, there were interesting artifacts along the way: two rusted-out, abandoned Model Ts sunk into the ground, close to the trailhead. When we returned from the hike, we were surprised to find the paddlers there; the wind had picked up at Lighthouse Point, so they turned back. Since it was still relatively early in the afternoon, those that had to turn back from paddling decided to hike to the lighthouse. Two paddlers who had decided to brave the wind and waves returned to camp shortly after.
Monday morning was spent packing up. (It's always a relief to get that heavy food bag down to the point where you can stuff it effortlessly into your cargo hold!) Again, it was sunny, downright hot. Three paddlers who were efficient packers had time for one last trip to the sea caves. The return crossing back to the mainland was very calm. The water could even be described as glassy, something I never thought I'd be able to report about Lake Superior. A few pairs of loons were spotted on the way to shore.
A small group of paddlers met in Bayfield for lunch before the trip back home. We ate at a place with a patio right by the water and listened to the gentle sounds of the pier. An outgoing individual with a colorful macaw on his shoulder entertained us as we ate things we dreamed about while in camp; namely, burgers and ice cream.
Pleasant sensory surprises for this first-time island visitor included: sheltered biffies--supplied WITH toilet paper; a bright, robust patch of daffodils springing out of the grass near the picnic tables; very few bugs; energy-sparing food lockers that didn't require us to string up our food in tall trees; red wine in a Platypus water-baggie (it tastes much better than it sounds); David's melt-in-your-mouth frybread with Nutella slathered on it.
We had a wonderful, diverse group of paddlers of all ages and backgrounds. That's what's so great about people in ISK-there's something for everybody. I grew up on the shores of Lake Superior, without having had much experienc spending time IN it-it was a genuine pleasure to experience paddling on this great lake. Of course, the excellent weather helped, as well as the pleasurable company of all who attended this trip! Thanks to all of you!
- Carrie Kennedy
- Richard Monson contributed to this report.
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