June 10, 2010; our 35th anniversary was approaching so Vicki planned a one week, all inclusive stay at Isle Royale National Park. We had arrived at Copper Harbor, MI at 9:30 p.m. today and were staying at Bella Vista Motel.
June 11: We were up at 6:30 a.m. and walked to the boat dock at 7:15 where we checked in, our bags were loaded and we began our 53 mile Lake Superior ride at 8:05 a.m. Arrived on the island at 11:30 where our bags were picked up and taken to our motel room. Remember, this was all inclusive so we headed to the dining room to eat. It began to rain lightly and the temperature was dropping but we decided to take the 1:30 trip to Passage Island Lighthouse. Ten people braved the rain (no longer light) and cold (45) for a 45 minute boat trip and then a very wet walk through the forest to get up to the 1881 light house. Sorry, no pictures, I didn't want to take my camera in the rain. The lighthouse was constructed because the ore and grain ships kept trying to short cut the route by traveling between Isle Royale and Passage Island. Ships would crash and sink so lighthouses were built. Even with a raincoat I was damp through my 3 layers of clothes by the time we headed back to the boat. Wanda, the park ranger, told a story of one lighthouse keeper and his family who were forgotten for pick-up in the fall. It was November so the husband rowed for help. While he was trying to get help winters storms arrived and the lake froze. His wife and 3 children survived the winter by fishing, hunting and living on berries. To give Vicki and I a taste of the experience we arrived back at our room to find there was no heat.
Loons are everywhere around the island. 
June 12: up at 7:00 a.m., rain stopped and not nearly as cold. Our room stayed warm all night and most of our clothes have dried. After a great breakfast (remember, this was all inclusive!), we decided to hike to Scoville Point which passed this Native American copper mine. I know it doesn't look like a mine, goes straight into the ground but the evidence of mining activity verified that copper had been dug out of the ground here. On the way back we hiked along Tobin Harbor which is where the seaplane arrives. We passed Smithwick Mine where mining went down 90' to find ore that had run out at 30'. Miners reported that biting black flies were so nasty the miners eyes would swell shut and once the fly season ended the mosquitoes came out and brought their own misery.
June 13: Awake at 7:00 a.m. and went over for breakfast. We are learning, split breakfast today. Got our canoe and headed over to Tobin Bay because fog was rolling in on our side. The fog literally "rolls" over the outer islands and drops in. The canoe was fun, passed this old cabin and then docked across the bay. We hiked to Hidden Lake, mosquitoes were thick! We decided to hike the additional mile up to Louise Lookout, and passed through amazing moose territory but never saw one. No people, you really get to experience solitude and peace. The lodge has no tv so you truly disconnect from the outside world and can concentrate on letting go and enjoying God's creation. Headed back to dining room for lunch, no sun yet but temperature is the upper 50s, maybe even 60. Decided to go for a hike, it's raining very light so we followed the Rock Harbor trail for about a mile. You pass the "shelters" built for backpackers, screened on the open side, they have bunk-beds and are a place to spend a night organizing for your back country travel. 
June 14: Up at 7:00 again, fogged in on lake side. Went over for breakfast and came back to our room to read. About 9:40 we decided to go for a hike. From 10:00 to 3:00 we covered about 8 plus miles, Rock Harbor over toward Mt. Franklin then back along Tobin Bay. Weather became beautiful sunny day and we saw mother and two tiny baby loons on Tobin Bay. Tired, our meal was amazing. I had lake trout and Vicki had the chicken boursin. There was a lot more activity around today as more people were arriving, research groups heading into the back-country, many boats arriving and leaving. The busy season is about to begin.
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