Wednesday night there was a band playing in my campground in Esofea County Park, in Vernon County, Wisconsin. I was told there were several nights this summer that there was a band playing in Esofea County Park. No admission fee but they ask for a donation. There were many families and many people that looked like old hippies. A woman told me the band was kinda bluegrass. I listened for a little bit. Guy sounded a little like Neil Young which is good or bad, for me good.
I’m all set up at Esofea Campground in Vernon County, Wisconsin. I’ve posted from this exact site before including a drone video so I may not post anything unless something unusual happens.
Drove home Thursday morning. A beautiful location but not much to do
No WiFi and no cell service which is good in a way. Mostly just relaxing and reading anyway. Perfect weather all week, low 80s during the day and low sixties at night. The motels in Munising look to be packed. Did a little wet-wading and bait fishing behind my campsite. No luck. All sand bottom.
Hemingway’s famous short story, Big Two Hearted River took place on the Fox River near Seney, Michigan not on the Two Hearted River which is east of here. Fisherman don’t give their secret spots away.
For five days I’ll be camped at Colwell Lake Campground in the Hiawatha National Forest in-between Munising and Manistique in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Another very nice national forest campground. My campsite is right on the lake. Wish I had a kayak but if I put a rack on the top of my truck I won’t be able to get into my underground parking. Munising is like Bayfield was, packed with tourists on a weekday.
Still have reservations at Navajo Dam State Park on the San Juan River from September 13 through September 23. I think I’ll still go. It’s a 4 day drive each way at about 7 hours per day. Also, pretty sure I’ll be going back to the Driftless Area the first week of September.
Change of plans. Canceled my reservation at Two Lakes Campground. It’s such a long drive. Instead on Sunday the 15th I’ll be heading to Hiawatha National Forest up between Munising, MI and Escanaba, MI, and stay at either Bay Furnace Campground near Munising or Colwell Lake Campground near Mainistique MI. Each has many first come first serve campsites. I hope to take a boat tour of Pictured Rocks National Shoreline.
The plan was to head back home on Friday. The forecast for Thursday was rain. When I woke up today and looked up at the gray sky I decided to clean up, pack up, hook up, dump the tanks, and head out. Why sit in my trailer and read a book? When I was opening my truck door just after dumping the tanks it started misting. Lucky call.
Anyway I’m home.
Today I took the 20 minute ferry ride from the pretty little town of Bayfield, Wisconsin to Madeline Island.
Madeline Island is 14 miles long and 3 miles wide. The southwest part of the island where the ferry docks is flat and wooded. The town of La Pointe is on the southwest tip of the island. La Pointe is very small, just a hand full of buildings, but is a little bit of a tourist trap. Bicycles, e-bikes, and motor scooters can be rented. There are quite a few homes and there is Madeline Island School of the Arts. The population is 267 in the winter and 2500 in the summer. The ferry runs as long as there isn’t ice. If the ice is thick enough there is an ice road. The northeast part of the island has a rocky shoreline with some cliffs. Big Bay State Park is on the northeast part of the island.
