Life at the Lake

 

This is something that I have been meaning to write about all winter and there never seems to be enough time so today I just decided to start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We live in Minnesota but we have had a cabin in Wisconsin since the early 70's.  It is quiet and peaceful with very few distractions.  Sometime early in 2008 we decided that we would spend the winter here and see if we really liked it well enough to actually move here full time.  I know you are thinking it sounds great and why would we have to "try" it first since we have been spending time here for so long.  First of all, we needed to make sure there would be enough work here to pay the bills.  Secondly, because our cabin is on an Island.  Not just any Island but the largest of the Apostle Islands which are located in northeastern Wisconsin on the south shore of Lake Superior.   Madeline Island is fourteen miles long, three miles wide and has between 200 and 250 year round residents.  More on all of that later.

 

 

 

 

 

Living on an Island in Lake Superior does present a few obstacles and it's not for everyone! 

The Island is situated two and a half miles from the mainland in a fairly sheltered area.  From April to December or January the ferry boat runs on a scheduled basis.  Once there is too much ice the ferry boats must stop running and we are essentially stuck.  There is a windsled that transports the school kids, mail and packages on a very limited daily schedule.  The hope each winter is that the ice will be thick enough for car travel and that does not happen every year.  So far this has been a very good ice road year.  More on that later too! 

 

 

 

 

 

See, I have so much to write about I just need to carve out some time for it.

This is all I have time for today.  We are going home tomorrow for a couple of days so I will continue this next week. 

This is a poem that really reminds me of being on Madeline Island.  My Mother loved being here and always enjoyed reading this poem.  I hope you enjoy it too.

 My Gather icon photo was taken here on a cold morning in January.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Once You Have Slept On An Island

If once you have slept on an island
You'll never be quite the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name,

You may bustle about in street and shop
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.

You may chat with the neighbors of this and that
And close to your fire keep,
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.

Oh! you won't know why and you can't say how
Such a change upon you came,
But once you have slept on an island,
You'll never be quite the same.

        --- Rachel Field