Exploring the Apostle Islands

Mornin' to everyone waving folks on at 4-way stops. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week's beaut' of an itinerary:

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore 🌊

• Living with Lyme's Disease 🦠 

• Catching poachers 🐟

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: What a Gem!

When most people hear island time, they think about sunshine and Piña Coladas (followed by sunburns and a gnarly hangover).

But Wisconsin boasts a chain of islands unlike any you'll find in the tropics, though they are just as postcard-worthy.

Way up nort', past the Cheese Castle, sits the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and its slew of handsome islands.

If you're looking for a place to frolic about this summer, you can't beat how neat this place is. Hold on to your socks!

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore:

• A chain of 22 islands on Lake Superior

• Considered the northernmost point of land in Wisconsin

• Houses one of the greatest concentration of Black Bears in North America

Islands of industry

Located off the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula, the Apostle Islands sit in the western waters of Lake Superior.

Like your cousin Joe's bacne in middle school, the 22 islands come in many shapes and sizes, with the largest being Madeline Island. Here sits La Pointe, the only town on Madeline Island and Wisconsin's oldest permanent settlement.

For centuries, various Native American tribes called the Apostle Islands their home (the Ojibwe are the only people to claim the island still).

In the 17th century, the business moguls of Europe established the islands as a trading center, which bustled with trappers and fur traders for nearly 200 years. That's a lot of rabbit-lined underwear.

But once the golden days of the fur trade came to a close in the early 19th century, commercial fishing developed. Alas, Friday Fish Fry's were born! Unconfirmed, but boy do we love us some deep-fried Perch dinners.

And like most of Wisconsin, it wasn't long until tourists started taking notice of the island's splendor...

Islands of health

By the mid-1800's, tourists across the nation began traveling to the Apostle Islands to escape the heat of the cities, try their hand at fishing, or take in the beauty of the islands by boat.

Madeline Island, for all its size and splendor, was dubbed a "healthful and relaxing summer retreat," a recognition it still holds to this day.

But like all things good and green in this world, the Islands needed protection for future generations (i.e. us) to enjoy for all the years to come.

Enter Gaylord Nelson. Covered in our Earth Day email, Wisconsin-born Gaylord Nelson lead the charge to establishing protection for natural resources all over our country, and in 1970, 20 islands and 2,500 acres of land were established as the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Now numbering 21 islands, 69,273 acres, and under directive of the National Park Service, the lakeshore is a destination for tourists from around the world.

Island time

So by now you've probably cleared your calendar for a trip - "It's a birthday party for a 1 year old, she won't remember anyhow, honey!"

Let us tell ya, you will not be disappointed.

Besides toting one of the largest concentration of black bears in North America, as well as the most magnificent array of lighthouses in the country, the 'Lakeshore provides ample opportunity to recreate on land and water.

Here are the Sparknotes for ya!

• Camping: You're all the way out there, anyway

• Kayaking: Sea kayaking at it's finest!

• Scuba Diving: Shipwrecks, sea caves, and wild sea critters

• Ice Caves: Not in season, per say, but spectacular in winter!

• Sailing: Ah, a throwback to our Wisconsin Hoofers days

• Fishing: That freezer ain't gonna fill itself!

• Boating: A cold beer and wind in your hair, need we go on?

• Biking: Because brats taste better with a sore rump

There ya have it folks! Another bucket-list item for all 'Scons. The summer is dwindling, so ya better not delay and get out 'der!

The "Holy Cripes" Moment of the Week❗️

Oh, deer: A fawn fell prey to a bald eagle up on Lake Noquebay. Just couldn't wait for Deer season, apparently! Gotta love the circle of life...

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🕷 Don't forget your tick checks: Women spilled the beans on what life with Lyme's Disease is like, and let me tell ya it doesn't sound fun. Check out our edition on Lyme's Disease and ticks and be sure to check yourself (and your friends)!

🎣 Something smells fishy: The DNR has caught 13 poachers red-handed in a multi-year investigation. Eleven of the culprits were from Illinois, one from Wisconsin, and one from Michigan. They were charged with organized poaching of whitefish from the Menominee River. No wonder we weren't catching nothin'...

🛥 No more rush hour: Thinking of heading over to Michigan anytime soon? And not the UP, that's more-or-less Wisconsin for cripe's sake... The Lake Express can take you from Milwaukee to Muskegon, MI in 2.5 hours. No Chicago traffic and all the views!

See you next week!

A Review from the Trail...

Well, how'd we do this week?

• 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀 Better than a finely-aged cheese

• 🧀🧀🧀 Still better than Illinois, but could be better

• 🧀 Boo. This made me lactose intolerant