And making stops on the Fruit Loop Trail!
We camped in the Bayfield, Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior, for a few days. It’s Lizzy’s 1st time camping in Wisconsin (State #40). Bayfield is known as the “Berry Capitol of Wisconsin” because of its unique microclimate and many berry farms and orchards. The area’s location near Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands creates a climate that’s ideal for growing fruits and berries.
The Fruit Loop Trail meanders around/to the many Orchard/Farm Country Stores in the area. One we stopped at especially reminded Gail of Brookfield Orchards Country Store back home, with cider, cider donuts, etc.
We stopped in Bayfield specifically to…
Visit 1 new National Park Site:
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (#258), at the northern tip of Wisconsin, features 21 stunning islands, a scenic 12-mile shoreline along Lake Superior, and is located within the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe people. Established in 1970, the park showcases picturesque sea caves, sandy beaches, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park system.
We made it to both Visitor Centers (just before they are to close for the season), hiked a few miles on the Lakeshore Trail to see a few sea caves, and took the 3-hour Grand Tour of the Apostle Islands. We’ll have to come back between Memorial Day and Labor Day to take any tours to any Islands…and actually visit any of those lighthouses. We did get a good view of the Raspberry Island Lighthouse on our boat tour.
Historic Hokenson Brothers Fishery at Little Sand Bay 
View of one Sea Cave from cliffs on Lakeshore Trail (better viewed from a kayak) 
Sea Gulls lunching on fish guts, following Fishing Boat returning to Bayfield, as we started Boat Tour 
One of a few eagles we saw on boat tour…there were 4 nesting pairs in 1970…~40 today 
Rock Formation (Arch Collapsed a few years ago) on Basswood Island 
Historic Fishing Camp on Manatou Island 
Raspberry Island Lighthouse (and Fog Horn House & Boat House)
On to Minnesota, on the Great Lakes Circle Tour around Lake Superior
For more pictures, see (in-work) Adventure Album: Great Lakes Superior
2 Comments
Gretta · September 9, 2024 at 11:49 am
Last month was Cherry capital, now berry, thought would have been cheese.
Gail · September 9, 2024 at 5:47 pm
Me, too. Probably farther south.