Rained out in Bayfield

June 25, 2017

Our plan for today was to take the ferry over to Madeline Island and explore it with our bikes; maybe have lunch over there somewhere; and maybe rent a sea kayak to explore the lake by water for a bit. The weather had other plans for us though, so ultimately we converted this to a rest day. We started by getting out for an early breakfast, thinking we might get In an early walk also before the rains arrived. After breakfast we walked to the upper town to get a look at its fine historical homes and to take the short walk up the gorge beneath the Iron Bridge. Afterwards we returned to the room, arriving with the first showers of the day.

I woke up early today and headed down to the waterfront at six, but missed the sunrise. Maybe tomorrow.

The beginning of the short Iron Bridge hiking trail

This curiosity in front of the Bayfield Heritage Center represents the terrible flood of 1942 which devastated the city and buried cars in up to four feet of sand and mud.

A few hours later, with the skies cleared a bit, we went out a second time, this time toward the Brownstone Trail that runs south through the trees along the shore by the lake. We hardly got started at all when the rain started again. Thinking better of it, we turned back, walking faster as the rain began gathering strength. We were already quite wet when we arrived at the first refuge we came to, the Fat Radish. Over snacks and coffee we sat and looked outside in amazement as the rain developed into an intense squall that blew sheets of rain down the street. Forty five minutes later it was still raining, but had lessened enough that we made a dash back to our room.

Looking west from the harbor toward the coming attractions.

Yeow! We haven't seen it rain this ferociously in ages. We are so glad we're sitting today out.

Our third foray was by far the most successful. In late afternoon, after the rains finally passed on to the east, we set off again to walk the Brownstone Trail. This time we enjoyed a dry, pleasant four mile walk through the woods, enjoying occasional broken views of the lake through the birch and maple woods. Afterwards we stopped at a lakeside restaurant to try out the fresh-caught whitefish the lake is known for before finally retiring for good.

The next two days look much better on the forecast. We're hopeful that we'll have beautiful conditions for the ride west to Duluth, but we'll see.

so much depends
upon

a brick red
barn

damp with rain
water

beside the green
silo

(with apologies to w c williams)

Mystery flower. I keep forgetting to look this one up, but we're seeing a lot of it lately.

Rachael and R2 (an inside joke) out for a stroll together on the Brownstone Trail

We come to a crossroads and have a decision to make: Olso, Wall Drug, or just head back to town for dinner?

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