Day 15: Cold with a Capital "C"
Today we ventured out onto Lake Superior to see a lesser-known gem of the National Park System- Isle Royale National Park! Though it is the U.S.A.'s least visited National Park, due to the difficulties with accessibility (the park is located on a remote island on Lake Superior), it provides a lot of opportunities for wilderness lovers.
Even from the closest port, Grand Portage, Minnesota, Isle Royale National Park is an hour-and-a-half boat ride across the lake. Our voyage today was taken through choppy waters and foggy, rainy weather. It was cold- really cold for a bunch of Southerners- and we relied on a myriad of coats and rain jackets to keep us warm and dry in the weather.
[I got to pose by the Isle Royale sign, with collected antlers showing off the island's most famous wildlife- the moose!]
During our time on the island, we got to participate in several ranger programs, including a nature hike that gave us a great look at the flora of the park and its impact on the environment.
[The Creeping Dogwoods found on the forest floor were a beautiful sight. A relation of our beloved Flowering Dogwoods from back home, these flowers were ones that our group recognized right away.]
After several hours of touring the island, we caught the boat back to Grand Portage- but not without a few stops on the way home. Despite the dense fog, the boat made sure to stop by for a glimpse of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse, perched on a small rock to the west of Isle Royale. Visibility was very bad at this point, but that made the brief glimpses of the lighthouse's silhouette through the fog a unique experience.
[Can you make out the shape of the lighthouse?]
Tonight we've returned to our hotel in Thunder Bay to rest before a long day of travelling tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for following along, and we send our love from Ontario!
Even from the closest port, Grand Portage, Minnesota, Isle Royale National Park is an hour-and-a-half boat ride across the lake. Our voyage today was taken through choppy waters and foggy, rainy weather. It was cold- really cold for a bunch of Southerners- and we relied on a myriad of coats and rain jackets to keep us warm and dry in the weather.
[I got to pose by the Isle Royale sign, with collected antlers showing off the island's most famous wildlife- the moose!]
During our time on the island, we got to participate in several ranger programs, including a nature hike that gave us a great look at the flora of the park and its impact on the environment.
[The Creeping Dogwoods found on the forest floor were a beautiful sight. A relation of our beloved Flowering Dogwoods from back home, these flowers were ones that our group recognized right away.]
After several hours of touring the island, we caught the boat back to Grand Portage- but not without a few stops on the way home. Despite the dense fog, the boat made sure to stop by for a glimpse of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse, perched on a small rock to the west of Isle Royale. Visibility was very bad at this point, but that made the brief glimpses of the lighthouse's silhouette through the fog a unique experience.
[Can you make out the shape of the lighthouse?]
Tonight we've returned to our hotel in Thunder Bay to rest before a long day of travelling tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for following along, and we send our love from Ontario!