Rock Island: "The Last Remains of Old Door County"

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By the way, what do ya think of the new logo? We've got hats coming soon... Baldies, rejoice!

This week's rockin' lineup:

• Rock Island State Park 🏝

• Canoe museum season opener 🛶 

• Bear attack 🐻 

Rock Island: "The Last Remains of Old Door County"

The year was 1936.

On one side of the court room sat the delegates of Michigan, (presumably mouth breathing). On the other side, the fine folks of Wisconsin, smelling of rich mahogany.

The Supreme Court was deciding which state would own rights to Rock Island, a mere ~1 mile stretch of land off the Door County Peninsula. Currently, it was considered both Door County, Wisconsin and Delta County, Michigan.

The judges furrowed their brows, remembering their affinity for Wisconsin cheese curds...

BOOM went the gavel, and they declared that Wisconsin would retain ownership of the island. The Michigan delegates slunk back to their state, unaware of the dismal football team they'd someday come to bare...

Rock Island Revelries

• Considered the eastern-most point of land in Wisconsin

• Home to Wisconsin's oldest lighthouse

• Free of land vehicles of any kind - cars, bikes, even Bird scooters

The navigational beacon

Like all things in the days of old, Rock Island was settled by Native Americans and then used for travel by missionaries and European explorers.

At 947 acres, measuring 1.6x1.1 miles, the landmark became a pivotal navigational piece once the Potawatomi Lighthouse was constructed in 1836, which today is the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin. Almost as old as you, Oma!

Folks for the most part didn't really know about the island until Larry Lebue, a trapper/fisherman on the island, left after his wife died and his friend was mysteriously murdered. Sounds a little fishy Larry. And we're not talking Walleye...

Anyway, he decided he had enough of rock island and left for Chicago, where he told many a Chicagoans about the island's splendor.

And just like the great migration north of the Illinois border to the Wisconsin dells, 50+ families migrated to Rock Island in the mid-19th century. It's like they've never even SEEN goats on a roof before!

An island deserted

Despite its early boom, by 1875 the island was all but deserted, with other parts of Door County luring its inhabitants away.

Why? The reason was simple: Rock Island was too isolated. It lacked good harbors, and getting to the island was a real pain in the keister.

In 1910, a man named Chester Thordarson purchased more than 75% of the island and built a lavish boathouse, which is still standing for visitors today. He wanted to make the island a reminder of his native Iceland.

By the 1960's, controversy ensued. A feasibility study in September, 1961 found the island of value for a potential state park, but accessing Rock Island was still an issue.

Some delegates of the survey wanted to use the money that would buy Rock Island from Thordarson's heir for other land projects, but the committee found their solution in the Washington Island Ferry Line, and brought a 36-foot Karfi (read: big boat) to the northeast corner of the island to transport park visitors.

Visiting Rock Island State Park

Once it was established as a State Park, the park service immediately got to work, renovating the island for visitation.

Park-goers can now enjoy ~10 miles of hiking, a half-mile sand beach, camping its 40 rustic sites, and exploring its historic buildings.

Since 2001, the island's visitation has soared like a Christian Yelich homer, reaching some 70,000 visitors in 2016.

So here are some tips to rock out (had to do it) at Rock Island State Park:

Booking/reservations:

Like most Wisconsin State Parks, it's pretty tough to get a reservation. Either book one 11 months out, set an availability alert, or use Campnab.

You'll need a ferry reservation as well (25 bucks), which stops at Washington Island on its way to Rock Island.

Camping

The island has 40 primitive camp sites, which offer epic views and easy access to the island's hiking trails.

Remember - Rock Island has no cars or bikes, so you'll be hoofin' it. Nab yourself one of the first-come, first-serve handcarts once you depart the ferry if it tickles your fancy.

Food/Water

A throwback to playing in the backyard as youngsters, drinking water is available from a spigot at the boathouse.

As far as food goes - there is none. So pack in your sustenance, and cook over the fire. Firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station till 4 p.m.

Pro-tip: Fill your belly with some yummy grub at Nelsen's Hall Bitters Pub on Washington Island before boarding the the ferry to Rock Island. It's tasty stuff!

Acitivities:

Hike Thordarson's 5.2 mile loop, tan your buns at Rock Island's sand beach (dubbed the "last remains of old Door County" by Minnesota Monthly), or cruise its crystal clear waters via doggy paddle or a BYO-kayak (a $10 fee on the ferry).

Along your adventures, be sure to stop in and visit the boathouse, lighthouse and water tower. They're pretty neat!

Well, we really can't recommend this place enough, folks! Clear your calendars and - say it with us - get out 'der!

Hipcamp find of the week ⛺️

Camp Escape: The Tetons where-bouts is a couple-two-tree stone throws North of Merrill, WI, aka The City of Parks.

Amber spilled the beans "We loved our stay here! Paddle boating around the beautiful, quiet lake was a highlight for me and my husband loved the clear view of the stars at night." Stars, paddle boating, secluded spot on a lake? Crymany-cripes-sake sign me up.

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🛶 Canoe Heritage Day: The Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner is celebrating its season opener with live music, food and beverages, and of course, the Canoe & Wooden Boat Show.

🐻 Beware of bear: Especially if you find one in your kitchen in the middle of the night. A plot straight out of the Great Outdoors, a couple in Wausau killed a bear in their home after it broke through a window.

🥾 National Trails Day: The DNR is doing our pocketbooks a favor and waiving all fees and admission costs for trails and state parks on June 4-5, officially dubbed Free Fun Weekend. Sign me up...

See you next week!

A Review from the Trail...

Well, how'd we do this week?

• 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀 Like a light breeze to keep the skeeters off

• 🧀🧀🧀 Pretty decent, only got bit a few times

• 🧀 A nightmare, you left the tent door unzipped