The Apostle Islands sparkle like green emeralds against the deep blues of Lake Superior, with occasional flashes of white beach flanking the vibrant green. Believed to have been named by the early Jesuits who drew up maps of the area, the Apostle Islands were originally inhabitated by the Ojibwe people who lived throughout the Great Lakes area.
The Apostle Islands National Park is comprised of a 22-island archipelago stretching out in Lake Superior and 12 miles of coastline. Islands vary in size from three acres to more than 10,000 acres, with the highest island at 500 feet above the lake.
Fifty miles of trails traverse the islands, meandering through such diverse ecosystems as northern hardwood Hemlock forest, pine savannah and boreal forests. Along the mainland coast and some of the island shores red cliffs rise some 40 to 50 feet above the water, undulating layers carved by the persistent waves.
""The sandstone that forms cliffs is thinly bedded and easily eroded, so wherever sandstone meets the water, wave action hollows out nooks and crannies, caves, windows and arches. It is spectacular,"" said Neil Howk, assistant chief of interpretation and education for the park.
To experience the caves up-close, visitors can kayak among the hollowed out red-rock caverns—weather and water conditions permitting.
For those who don't have their own boats and gear, there are quite a few outfitters who lead tours—ranging from day trips to overnight camping adventures. The easiest caves to access are on the mainland, only a mile's paddle from the put-in.
Sand Island and the north end of Devil's Island also feature some stunning caves. Howk reminds visitors that ""the lake is the boss"" and it is important to bring proper gear and check weather conditions before kayaking to the exposed cliffs.
For those who prefer to admire the views on solid ground, there are networks of trails on the islands and mainland running through seemingly untouched greenery and majestic forests.
Hikers can expect to see loons, sandhill cranes and black bears. Camping is permitted on 18 of the islands and a daily ferry runs between the mainland and Stockton Island—home to the largest campground and one of the densest concentrations of black bears in the United States.
Six of the islands are home to lighthouses which serve to warn the freight and passenger steamers and sailing crafts navigating the lake of the rocky outcroppings in the Apostle Island area.
The Raspberry Island lighthouse will be re-opening this year after two years of renovations to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the first lighthouse built on the islands. Despite the important function of the lighthouses, the Apostle Islands have seen a fair amount of shipwrecks, including the famous wreck of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975.
For ambitious visitors hoping to explore the underwater history, the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute and the Wisconsin Historical Society have produced visitors' guides for seven of the Apostle Islands shipwrecks. Divers can use these guides to locate and explore the remaining skeletons of sunken vessels.
The Apostle Islands region is home to a unique history—a mix of Native American and European settler culture, as well as fur trade, quarrying, commercial fishing and tourism. One group working to keep the culture alive is Lake Superior's Big Top Chautauqua based in Washburn, Wis.
Throughout the summer the organization runs a number of musical shows ranging from local groups to Irish drum musicians to known artists such as B.B. King and Willie Nelson.
Some popular Big Top original numbers include ""River Pants,"" a take-off of River Dance, which is a musical sketch about fishing and features a scene with 12 large men dancing in fishing waders.
The shows focus on different aspects of local culture. They have a show highlighting lighthouse life and another with music all about the surrounding forests. In addition to bands, singers, instruments and actors, the shows also have a multimedia component with lighting and a big screen to contribute to the shows.
""People are blown away,"" said Jamey Ritter of Big Top, ""you wouldn't expect it [in northern Wisconsin].""
The season opens June 15 and ends in early September, but the acts are popular enough that they spend the rest of the year on tour. Founder Warren Nelson and his band the Blue Canvas Orchestra return to Lake Superior to play for the summer.
The Apostle Islands are both a natural oasis and an area rich in history and culture. From kayaking among the sea caves to hiking to bird-viewing to catching a local show, there are multiple opportunities for vacationers to unwind and see something new.
