Honeymoon: Madeline Island Without a Kayak? At Least We Brought Bikes.

We made it safely to Bayfield without getting attacked by any bears.

I think that's because of my wily driving skills.

We then packed everything we needed for our 2 night stay on Madeline Island onto our bikes and backpacks. 

We rode on our first of four ferry rides we took on this trip.

Once on the island we stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few items.

The ride from the ferry drop off to our campsite was 7 miles. With all the gear I was carrying I got a little behind.

We decided on taking our bikes instead of a car on the island for two reasons. One it was cheaper and two we were doing a test run for a much longer bike trip next year. 

I had just as much weight on my back alone, but I wasn't complaining. OK, maybe a little.

Once we arrived we set up camp.

Someday I hope we'll go on a vacation this long via bike only.

We then walked around to check out the scenery. 

We stayed at Big Bay Town Park since the adjacent state park was full when me made reservations over a month back. It was clearly a great choice.

We had our pudgie pie dinner when we got back.

After dinner we walked along the endless beach. 

We took a break, put our feet in the cold sand and peered out into endless inland sea.

We needed to save our campfire wood for meals only. Once it got dark we stayed in our tents and read.

Day 4

We got up early and had oatmeal and tea for breakfast.

In the morning the beach was already packed.

 On our way to the beach the night before we saw a sign for renting canoes. The rental was based on the honor system allowing to chose how long you wanted to use the canoe based on how much you wanted to spend.

We honored the system and paid a $10 fee.

It was money well spent.

I took a break on a sand bar. 

While I took a break on the canoe. For the rest of the trip we fascinated about canoes and kayaks.

Then we thought we would go into town to look around and maybe grab some lunch.

With no kayak it was the best way to see the island. Biking allows you to take in your surroundings in a completely unique way. It seems that Einstein's Theory of Relatively is in full play as the bike speeds down the road and your surroundings pause for a wondrous moment.

Once back in town we realized there wasn't much to see.

Madeline Island and La Pointe in particular is more small town then tourist trap a la Door County.

This was when I realized we really need to get kayaks. That seems to be what everyone does here. 

One of Blake's long-pong friends recommended the Burnt Down Cafe to us. We had hoped to have lunch here, but they only served alcohol.

With little food in the collective tummy we weren't ready to drink.

We got ice cream some other place instead.

That's how memorable La Pointe is.

We picked up some tomato sauce and started heading back. 

I wanted to check out the State Park campground first. 

Once there we saw a map that showed a trail that basically took you back to our campsite. We thought we would walk our bikes through the trail instead of biking the roads back. Bad, bad idea. 

The path became really narrow after awhile and we were having to walk over bridges and tree roots. My bike pedals kept hitting me in the legs and scratching them up. Scott was a nice husband and switched with me.

My legs were full of gashes by the end of the trail. 

This sign 4/5ths of the way back mentioned that it was a footpath at best.

The trail seemed to never end. 

We started at the overlook picnic area in the lower right of the map and ended at the group camp near the top of the lagoon. It ended up being approximately 3 miles of trails.

With our bikes by our sides mind you.

After we got back I wanted to get some beach time in before dinner. 

Lake Superior is as cold as they say. Brooke wussed out first.

Then I became one with my dear friend the shore.

When I laid down on my towel I brought change with me.

Ah, the life.

We made pizza pudgy pies and grilled peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. 

Pudgy pies were a revelation for the moment.

I decided to roast a marshmallow and stuff it between two homemade chocolate-granola bar crumbles. I clearly struck gold.

Then we played a game of Scrabble. 

I continued my winning ways. Best. Score. Ever.

Day 5

When I awoke Brooke was coddled in a cocoon.

Once up, I packed up camp while Scott made breakfast. 

My backpack looked like a compressed spine.

My tires were really low of air so I got really far behind. I was pretty peeved at Scott for being a mile ahead of me. 

She continued to be peeved on the ferry.

Eventually we were both over it.

We talked to a moving guy from the Twin Cities who then insisted he take our photo. 

Where will we go next? A monster truck rally?