Day 29

I was very excited about today for two reasons. First a ferry boat ride to the park and second, visiting our 48th National Park, Isle Royale. The boat ride was interesting because once we left the dock we were in a sea fog until just a couple miles from the island. I was wondering when the alien ship would swoop down and pull the ferry boat aboard with its tractor beams. We had a very nice conversation with a couple from California who had been to many of the National Parks and we got some good advice about ones we are going to visit in the near future.

As we approached the island, it became bight blue sky and very nice. Once ashore, there was an orientation by a NPS ranger and we were on our way to the lodge. Our room was very nice. It had a porch just feet above the lake with a nice view of Raspberry Island. We went to the booking office and scheduled four boat excursions. Ginny had done a good job planning ahead of time so we knew exactly what we wanted to do.

Our afternoon excursion was to Edisen Fishery, a small, family operated fishing operation down the lake a bit. The Lake Superior fishery was wiped out when the lampreys invaded about 70 years ago. There still are no significant commercial fisheries on the lake. There was also a nice lighthouse, Rock Harbor Lighthouse, which was extinguished in 1879 when all the mining petered out on Isle Royale. They did have the original 4th order Fresnel lens on display. I am a total sucker for Fresnel lenses. There was also a wildlife research station which studied moose and wolves.

It was a very nice day. Perfect weather. Unbelievable scenery. I was accompanied by the hottest babe on the island. Life is good.