Bayfield Fourth of July

Down at City Dock or Memorial Park is a good spot to be on the evening of July Fourth.

Bayview Beach area paddle about

Bayview Beach just south of Bayfield on HWY 13 is a wonderful spot for walk or just relaxing. Recently we took the kayaks and paddled up the Sioux River until we met with fallen trees.

Then we paddled the mouth of the river and up and down the coast. This is good for me, our kayaks are not huge composite models that are expensive. They are just poly plastic and recreation models. It gives us a great view of the shoreline and a feel of the power of the huge lake. Recently a kayaker died when crossing from Sand Island to Little Sand Bay. That really drives home the point that the lake is cold and dangerous. The 1- 1 1/2 foot waves we encountered were plenty for us. We did have spray shirts and basic safety items. I can't imagine being in four foot waves that the kayaker in Sand Bay had dealt with before spilling over.

It is a expensive sport that requires training and common sense. I see too many people going to Gander Mountain and buying a open kayak and thinking they are all ready to go. If you do this just stay along the shore of Bayview beach. You can walk right into shore if you dump and are cold.

Bayfield in the Milwaukee paper!

http://www.jsonline.com/features/travel/124108094.html

June means Lupines

Each year the Lupines appear in June and seem to be spreading more and more each year.

Blessing of the Fleet

Each June at the start of the summer season is the Blessing of the Fleet. There is a short service and then the fleet passes and is blessed. A nice little boat parade of mixed vessels. Even dingy sailboats all in a row. The island queen pictured is my favorite ferry boat but it's looking a bit beat up this year. I think it's had a few rubs on the dock? The weather was just perfect with blue sky and very pleasant temps in the 70's. Just wonderful for a Sunday afternoon. The season starts and we are already heading toward the big Fourth of July week a few short weeks away.

Improvements at Bayview Beach

The township of Bayview has built a new shelter and a privy at Bayview Beach. A very nice addition to that area. There were no toilet facilities up to this point. And the new picnic shelter is very impressive. It's a wonderful spot to walk along the shore any time of year and in the summer a good place to wade and even swim. It does warm up enough along the shoreline to swim in July and August. Sure it's still chilly but very refreshing when it's hot.

It's here!

Summer season is here. The first day of summer isn't here yet on the calender but all the signs are here that say it's that time in Bayfield. The boats are in the slips, the Apostle Island Cruises have begun and the cars are filling up all the spots down at City Dock.

Wreck of the Sevona

Just north of Bayfield is Little Sand Bay. At the harbor is the anchor of the Sevona. One of many ship wrecks in the area. The link below explains the story. Little Sand Bay is a very nice spot and often very peaceful. The beach is nice and view nicer. http://www.nps.gov/apis/historyculture/wreck-of-the-sevona.htm