These caves are near our cabin on the S shore of Lake Superior, not the big caves. The house-sized big caves are out on the islands, hundreds of caves. They interconnect so you can go in one cave and come out somewhere else on the island. Lake Superior Kayaking can be rather unpredictable and exciting.
Karen in white hat, red kayak, ready to go.
(Note, these pics are from a cheapo disposable camera).
These are the same famous "Ice Caves" of Bayfield (Cornucopia).
The Bayfield Peninsula caves are about 1.5 miles from the launching place, around that point in the distance (There is no closer access to the caves).
A different trip....
We were compressed against the ceiling. One time 20 miles out on Devil's Island exposed to the big lake it was glassy calm and we were deep deep way back into a huge cave with not much headroom left.
Suddenly the water quickly rose a few feet and in an instant and we were being scraped and compressed against the roof of the cave 200’ in from the entrance. We pushed against the roof but of course it did no good. Then just as suddenly, the water level dropped to normal as we were swept out of the cave and the water was glassy calm again.
WHY did the lake surface rise? About 15 miles out, a large ocean freighter had passed by the island and it was the wake from that ship that nearly squished us. It's nearly impossible to see those waves coming (swells).
Note - The Indians named it Devils Island because of the odd moaning and rumbling sounds as the waves were squeezed deep into the caves and the air gushed out. It causes the whole island to tremble.
what an awesome adventure, the pics are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning place and a neat adventure.
ReplyDeleteHoly Moly! I want 2 visit there. what a devil place 2 visit Devil Island, I already love it..... I would like 2 make a wish 2morrow when I see the north star......
ReplyDeleteUnreal!! Great pictures though. You guys have done a lot!
ReplyDeleteWonderful... I've read about many things that you have done in life....You are living it to it's fullest... Not too many can say this....Good for you. :)
ReplyDeleteSo Cool! I wanna go play!
ReplyDeleteThanks all, for the comments. I could post many dozens of unique blogs just about trips to the Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, it’s an amazing place. We’ve had many hundreds of adventures there, some a bit TOO adventurous. I learned a lot. There are numerous related stories in Bert's past blogs (Mostly Y360), check the tags/clouds.
ReplyDeleteAslow – Iriani – I’ve been going to the Apostle Islands since I was a kid, finally bought a cabin there many years ago, I love it.
Petunia*2 – Devils Isl is the farthest out and gets the most violent waves which carved the caves, It’s beautiful.
Swag – I was hoping you’d see this blog, I had planned to post it for a long time, your blog reminded me.
Jgigi – We’ve done a lot, it seems like several different lifetimes, life is good.
Planetsusan – It’s a beautiful but rugged place, I may do a blog just about that island, it’s worth it.
Sounds scary, but wonderful! Only time I ever went kayaking, I found out I had muscles in places I didn't even know I had the next day lol. Still, that looks like something I'd love to do! =D Mind if I join you next time...?
ReplyDeleteMythicalU - Sure would love to have company. Yeah can get a bit sore if you don't do it often.
ReplyDeleteThis is a comment
ReplyDeleteThat looks so cool and I would love to explore those caves!
ReplyDeleteI've gone spelunking down the south western coast of Australia and there are some magnificent limestone caves dotted around the place but I would LOVE to go through a cave while kayaking.
Omg Bert.... I would have been terrified out of my wits. Strange that you can see the bottom of the lake through the clear water. That water looks dark. Aren't you afraid of getting lost in those caves?
ReplyDeleteDebo-tint - When you're in the caves, you can easily see the brighness of "outside". If it's calm there is little danger except for those stray waves. Some of those caves collapse occasionally, mostly during storms. You can't get near the caves unless it's very calm (calm is unusual). Even thou the water is so clear, you can't see deep unless it's fairly calm, then you can see 75' deep or more. When wavy, can't see very far down. I have many of great photos of the island caves and some interesting scary stories. If I can ever gather up the photos, I plan to do a blog someday on just that island, although there are caves on many of the islands. Each island has a story, some good ones.
ReplyDeleteDebo - I like caves, been in a lot of them but mostly as part of a tour. Some of the tours are scary enough, crawling on hands and knees.
Tint - Um, ya, I was terrified out of my wits... didn't know what was happening except that we were getting crushed and scraped and would likely never have been found.
It's almost always too wavy out there so sometimes it's a wasted trip, must turn around and go back.
ReplyDeleteOh Bert, I think a blog on those caves would be wonderful!! I'm looking forward to it : )
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tintalasia!
ReplyDeleteDo you guys ever like to have any safe fun- that doesn't include bringing more animals or electronics into the house? LOL. I can't wait to bring you to a Cenote you will be doubley amazed!
ReplyDeletedebo - If I can ever gather up old pictures from those trips in a cohesive package, I hope to do a Devils Island blog
ReplyDeleteLisa - The picutres you have of Cenotes you've been too look great. We (I) only saw the one at Chitzinitza, would love to explore more.
Actually, the incident in the cave was in another lifetime of mine, long ago.
I've got a new cenote collection waiting for you -oh yeah- and tons of stuff to fix around the house and a chicken coop to build- when are you coming? You could come with out mommy too ya know...
ReplyDeleteNeat, guess who???
ReplyDeleteLisa - Would love to go on a cenote tour.. I bought some new cameras and am looking for things to take pictures of. How's the new place working out? Finished painting? Get any good scorpion pictures? I think I'd rather deal with cockroaches. You getting Chickens for your cat to play with?
ReplyDeleteBLue - I know you... Katie has kept me up to date. We hardly get to Bayfield much, 2 -3 times a year. It 's still nice though.
Blue - I know you...Katie has keep me informed.