Sunday, December 19, 2010

Merry Christmas to all


Santa says have a great Holiday Week! This Santa was at Bayfield, but not Bayfield Wisconsin but Bayfield Ontario. He was in the Christmas parade that they have each year. Santa already arrived in Bayfield Wisconsin on the Ferry last week. Nobody knows however where he is staying in Bayfield until Christmas Eve? Where are the reindeer hidden?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Madeline Island Ferry

The Madeline Island Ferry is still making runs back and forth to the island. There are some chunks of ice in the channel but not yet iced up. There should be some sort of charity raffle each year guessing the last date of the ferry running for the season? Perhaps there is a raffle? If not that would be something that would be interesting. Guess the date of the last run! It might not be too long from now as it's pretty chilly at night. Perhaps a few more weeks?

http://madferry.com/Ferry-Information/

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Big wind


A portion of U.S. Highway 2 in Ashland County was closed because of extreme weather conditions on Saturday the Ashland County Highway Department reported. The highway was declared impassable at 2:51 p.m. from Ashland to the state Highway 13 turnoff to Bayfield. As travelers to Bayfield know the wind can just howl across HWY 2 near the end of Chequamegon Bay. Years ago ice was piled so high from the bay on the highway it had to be removed with a snowplow when the wind broke it up.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Big storm


A big winter storm is closing in on the Midwest for today. Overnight there is the chance of 6-7 inches in Bayfield and much much more to the south. Park Falls could possibly get 18" of snow! Incredible amounts of snow. There has been talk among friends about where is the coldest area in Wisconsin? It always seems to be around Park Falls or Rhinelander. That cold will be seen again on Sunday night into Monday.The deepest snow always is just south of the Hurley area in the little villages of Upson and Montreal Wi. Bayfield near the lake seems to be protected from the lake effect snows due to its location. But not always of course as Bob Dylan says, it all depends which way the wind blows.

The Exact Phrase:

Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues, 1965, encouraged the young to make their own decisions with the lines:

You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

Friday, December 10, 2010

Santa Visit to Bayfield


Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the Madeline Island Ferry, Saturday December 11th.
Location: Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion, 2 E Front Street, Bayfield WI.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in Bayfield on the Madeline Island Ferry. Upon arrival, kids can meet Santa, have a picture taken in the Lakeside Pavilion, receive a 'goody bag' from Mrs. Claus and lunch compliments of the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau.
Time: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Santa will be bringing something else along, a big snow storm! Winter is here and the Christmas will be very white.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Christmas Season Begins


Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Location: Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion, 2 E Front Street, Bayfield WI.
The holiday season officially begins when Bayfield's community Christmas tree is lit up.
Enjoy the fresh pine garlands and LED holiday lights that will make all of Rittenhouse Avenue sparkle with holiday cheer!
After the ceremony, warm up in the Lakeside Pavilion and enjoy holiday treats while listening to Christmas carols performed by the Rittenhouse Inn Singers.
Time: 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Bayfield safe zone?


This week is a good time to hang out in Bayfield if you're a deer. Come into town and hide out in the backyards. This deer seems to have that idea. Too many orange jackets in the woods right now she told us.

Friday, November 19, 2010

It's coming....


Winter is making a effort to come to the Northland. The change from fall to winter will stay for good shortly. It was a wonderful fall this year. In the picture you could say the last rays of fall are shining thru above Chequamegon Bay.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Long and Winding Road


A Bayfield County back road in November. Not far from the shoreline of Lake
Superior it was all rain and no snow. The clay road is good and wet. Inland it's all wet snow on the ridges and hills. The two worlds of Lake Superior. And the Beatles were included on ITunes today. The reason for the title of this blog. When Apple Records was formed there was no Apple Computer or Apple I-Tunes. It's interesting that the two Apples have joined and become partners. Old enough to recall the Beatles Apple Records and still young enough to enjoy ITunes. And Apple Fest in Bayfield. It's all Apples in the Northland today.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Warmer by the lake


The first big snow storm in the Northland and along Chequamegon Bay and in the town of Bayfield there was no snow. Just about a inch and a half of rain. The warmth of the lake made sure of that. Inland there was quite alot of heavy wet snow and still falling.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Big snow forecasted!




The National Weather service has alerted Bayfield County that a big snow may be happening this weekend. A possible 6-10 inches? Perhaps? Soon Bayfield will look like this picture taken from the ice road last winter. Seasons are nice however but just don't bring it all at once!

Saturday
Breezy...snow. Snow may be heavy at times. Snow accumulation 6 inches or more. Highs 32 to 37 inland...and 38 to 43 near Lake Superior. Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph.
» ZIP Code Detail
Saturday Night
Breezy...snow. Snow accumulation 4 inches or more. Lows 28 to 33 inland...and 33 to 38 near Lake Superior. Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph.
Sunday
Snow likely. Moderate snow accumulations. Highs 33 to 38. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Reddy Kilowatt?? What???


My nephew today had a T-shirt on which looked like a bolt of electricity across his chest. It was some sort of Snowboarding Logo. Nothing of course I'd know anything about.My comment was you look like Reddy Kilowatt. Everybody in the room said what?? Who??? I never heard of that? What are you talking about? I said you all aren't old enough apparently. This lead to the research of the charactor and the connection to the Chequamegon Bay Area and Bayfield Area power company Northern States Power.

He was featured in a 1947 comic book and movie produced by the studio of Walter Lantz. Reddy Kilowatt was a frequent presence in publicity material until energy conservation replaced energy production as a national goal with the growth of the environmental movement and the OPEC oil embargo. He is now rarely seen. In 1998, Reddy was bought by Northern States Power Company, which created an entire subsidiary, Reddy Kilowatt Corp., to manage the cartoon.

Northern States Power is now:
Xcel Energy
After the failed Primergy merger, Xcel Energy was formed as a holding company to own three formerly independent companies: Northern States Power (Minnesota), Northern States Power (Wisconsin), and New Century Energies.

Isn't it funny how a memory of a cartoon character leads to the Bay Area!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

November arrives quietly


The leaves are all on the ground but so far November has been fairly quiet with only a few snow flurries. What is in store for the month? It's the quiet time of year, still nice enough for a hike and activities outside without much discomfort. The shoulder season as Bayfield Chamber calls it. Shops are still open on the weekends and holiday activities are coming soon.

Bayfield Holiday Season - Bayfield Date: November 26, 2010 - December 31, 2010


The Election is over....


Saturday, October 30, 2010

Election Time Again


FYI, Bayfield police really do chase the bears out of town with the squad car.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Big storm this week






Bayfield was pretty much unaffected other then a few branches and some waves in the harbor.
The boats have been taken out well beforehand and in winter storage. Some big waves were slamming the Coal Dock in Washburn from the south on Wednesday. But all of this was nothing like what was seen across the lake in Grand Marais Mn. What is equal to a category 2 hurricane was above Lake Superior and really hit their harbor hard with waves. This shot of their breakwater and lighthouse is all over the web. Just a incredible picture that I'll keep forever on my computer.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Friday, October 22, 2010

Flashback to the leaves

The leaves are gone but we can look at them one last time. The fall color around Chequamegon Bay was very nice this year. What will the winter bring? Warmer and dry? Lots of snow? There are all sorts of predictions using computer models. But who knows? Next come the Holidays in Bayfield.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Feathered Friend


After a summer of being fed this feathered friend becomes unafraid. But of course these birds are very fast and know they can move in a second.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

And just like that it's gone....


The fall goes way too fast. The leaves peaked and seemed to fall early this year? Or it just seems that way? But we can look at the pictures and plan for next year. The weather this year was perfect. Apple Fest was another success and orchards on the hill sold out. Bayfield was busy the weekend after Apple Fest as well. The next weekend looks to be much the same. This is just too good to be true. The Maple has always been my favorite tree.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Rocky pays a visit

Rocky has taken up residence in the wood pile and likes to come to the door and ask for snacks. He has very little fear and started this routine when young. Now he is a bit larger. As the winter progresses his wood pile house will slowly disappear. He might have to be evicted at some point? Perhaps some new housing in the woods?

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Applefest and Fall Colors



It's very apparent where the fall color is on this mornings Satellite shot. The reds in the Bayfield area and very deep color in the Porkie Mountains. Applefest is jammed with people downtown as usual. The weather is very nice and will be perfect for the parade tomorrow afternoon.





Thursday, September 30, 2010

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The best time of the year!





Fall is my favorite time of the entire year. The colors and crisp cool weather. School has started and there is less traffic on the roads allowing you to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Also some nice events:
Sep 1 Bayfield Fall Harvest Celebration
Oct 1 49th Annual Bayfield Apple Festival

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Houghton Falls Nature area


If our State and Federal Governments are going to fling money around like they have it, at least this is for something good. With our state debt so large these things always make me wonder about the math. But I do know this will be preserved forever and unspoiled now. Which perhaps is priceless.

----------------------

Press release from Governor Doyle’s office:

Governor Doyle today announced more than $2.5 million in funding to protect some of Wisconsin’s unique natural areas for public use and help create the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve. The Governor made the announcement as part his eighth annual Up North tour.

“These are incredible additions to public lands in Wisconsin that will now be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come,” Governor Doyle said. “Our natural resources are one of the main reasons why people want to live, vacation, and move here. They are why businesses want to locate here. The future of our state is closely linked to our natural resources, and I’m pleased that, today, that future is looking even brighter with the protection of these lands.”


A $1,157,900 Stewardship grant and a $1,416,300 federal matching grant from the state Department of Administration’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program will help create the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve. The project will protect more than 2,100 feet of Lake Superior shoreline, and more than 2,305 feet of forested riverbanks the empty into Lake Superior.

The Houghton Falls Nature Preserve will include Echo Dells, a scenic gorge with a series of rock cliffs, as well as forests, caves and waterfalls. When complete, the Preserve will be open for canoeing and kayaking, swimming, hiking, archery hunting, fishing, trapping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and carry-in boating.

The forest provides habitat for numerous species of concern including the gray wolf, northern flying squirrel, woodland jumping mouse, water shrew and bald eagle. It is also an important stopover for Neotropical migratory birds. The waters off Houghton Point serve as a fish nursery and feeding area for whitefish, trout, salmon and lake sturgeon.

Since taking office Governor Doyle has protected more than 275,000 acres of land across Wisconsin through the Stewardship Program and reauthorized the program through 2019. Since 1990, the Stewardship Fund has preserved over 580,000 acres of public land.

Under Governor Doyle’s leadership the state has had the greatest environmental accomplishments in decades. In the last seven and a half years, major strides have been made to reduce mercury in our air and water and major water clean up efforts such as the Kinnickinnic and Fox River projects have moved forward. Wisconsin is now a world leader in forest certification, ensuring sustainable management to protect our forests for future generations. Governor Doyle also led the passage of the Great Lakes Compact, ensuring the protection of the world’s largest fresh water basin for generations to come.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Madeline Island Big Bay Beach


The Big Bay beach is very popular during the recent hot weather. August is a good time to vacation as the weather can be warm enough to swim in Lake Superior. Not a long time however as it's still very chilly.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sweet Sailing


It's the name of the candy shop downtown but it's also one of the main reasons many people come to Bayfield. With the warm weather it's very popular to be on that nice cool water. It's been a very nice summer for sailing.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Focal point of Bayfield




I believe that point is the harbor and city dock. It's really a wonderful setting down at the dock on a summers eve. So much activity and a nice full moon on the water.

Friday, July 30, 2010

48th Annual Bayfield Festival of the Arts


Don't forget the annual festival of the Arts at Memorial Park on the waterfront in Bayfield this weekend. And the Fish Boil is excellent down at the Pavilion. It's summertime!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tall ships in Bayfield




Last weekend the Roseway and the Zeeto were in the harbor also before going on their way to Duluth for the big tall ships festival weekend. This morning two more departed after spending the night at Bayfield harbor. You don't have to fight crowds in Duluth on the weekend, just come to Bayfield for a taste of the tall ships! And it's free to walk down to City Dock. I'm not much for large crowds and parking problems so Bayfield is the spot to see ships days prior to the Duluth event. Something to remember next July when planning a vacation to Bayfield.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Big weekend down at the City Dock.









The city dock in Bayfield is always a big attraction for locals and visitors alike. As the Riding the Wind program said in song. See what is coming in and what is going out. This past weekend it was the Duluth Power Squadron. The big attraction was the decommissioned Sundew. If it's large it draws attention at the dock. The Rosemary tall ship was also down at the dock but was dwarfed by the Sundew. And it only got better, there was a full moon shining on the water on a wonderful evening. Scores of people walked up and down the city dock to look at the ships. Tours during the day were given. The Sundew took a spin around the islands on the weekend. One crew member told me of the plans and the updating to be done to the ship. A Superior Trucking company owner purchased the ship last year from the City of Duluth. It was once part of the attractions down at Canal Park. It is the ultimate toy and he is also preserving a piece of history.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Summertime trip to Madeline Island




It's July and a great time to visit Madeline Island. Enjoy the water and the ferry ride.



But don't forget your wallet......






Friday, July 16, 2010

Island Queen Ferry Boat




My favorite Ferry boat is the Island Queen. Not quite sure it's age but guessing it's from the early 1980's. I think I recall riding it during that time. The earliest ferry I can recall being on was the GarHow II. Which is short for Gary and Howard.