A week in the Apostles ~ Day 3 Sand Island to Little Sand Bay

We rose early and prepared Mystic to sail to Little Sand Bay, just across from our anchorage at Sand Island. Little Sand Bay is on the Wisconsin mainland and is the site of the Apostle Islands headquarters and county campground. Our travel guide indicated that the harbor was shallow but Dave wanted to try to pull into the dock to tie off. We could see other large sailboats there so we figured we'd give it a try. We made our way up the channel, slowly. I was very apprehensive. People on docked sailboats came on deck and offered assistance, guided us, and warned us that it was indeed shallow. We hit bottom and swung toward the docked vessels. We were able to fend off and keep Mystic from drifting by holding onto one of the other boats which happened to be from our hometown Stillwater. Although the captain offered to give us his spot in an hour, we decided to get out while we could.  We settled for anchoring in the bay off the sandy beach just beyond the harbor.

Anchorage off of Little Sand Bay, WI

We needed to get ashore to get rid of garbage and load up with ice and water. We also wanted to go for a run. We kayaked ashore and stopped by the sailboats on the dock to thank them for their help. The couple from Stillwater, Dick and Michelle Bailey, live on North 3rd Street, not far from us. They are experienced sailors and very friendly. Michelle told us that they only sail, never motor. She described their trip from Washburn to Sand Island saying she tried to get their tartan 31 to 7 knots. Her eyes twinkled as she described how much fun she had screaming along at 6.9 knots. Michelle said she'd seen our smaller sailboat, Keewatin, lit up for Christmas in our driveway back hone. We thanked them then headed off on a hot, hilly run.

Amazing braided rope at Little Sand Bay

Historic Hokenson Brothers
Commercial Fishery Little Sand Bay

Anchor from the shipwreck Sevona
at Little Sand Bay, WI

Russell, Wisconsin has a heat advisory for the entire week and it is hot. Our first 1.75 miles running were uphill. We ran out for 2.75 miles then turned back. The return trip was fast and easy but it was getting even hotter. When we returned to the beach we noticed a sign indicating that we should not have our kayaks on the beach. We apologized to the beach ladies who said they didn't mind the kayaks at all.

Back aboard Mystic, we put ice in the coolers and enjoyed a nice lunch before heading off to Raspberry Island. We raised the sails but found the winds to be fluky so we motored instead. Just as we approached Raspberry Island the engine warning alarm went off telling us it was over heating! Dave shut her down and we raised the foresail. Dave was pretty sure it was the water pump impeller. Like most things, he is confident that he can fix it. We had no other choice at the moment except to allow the engine to cool and then restart it to see if the alarm continued.

After about a half hour we restarted the engine and made our way to the sand spit off of Raspberry Island, east of the lighthouse where we anchored with other boats. With crossed fingers, we waited for the alarm to blare again but it remained silent. Later Dave would surmise that the waves were raising the stern out of the water which prevented water from entering the intake and getting to the engine. Without water to cool it, the engine overheated. 

Once we were settled on anchor, we kayaked ashore and hiked to the Raspberry Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse is one of the favorites of visitors of the Apostles. Some say it is because of the beautiful gardens found on the grounds. It is a perfect spot to have a picnic. We took photos of the lighthouse from the shore and docks. We'd hoped to climb to the top of the light but there was a long line and we were told that we would have to wait for a boatload of tourists arriving by ferry. Instead, we made our way back through the forest to the bay we were anchored in. We met a young couple with two small children, travelling on a 32 foot Hunter. We would see them several times during the week, passing us under sail. They told us that the lighthouse tour took over a half hour and the building was stifling hot. It was a good call to decline the tour on this day. There will be other opportunities in our future.

 

Clintonia on Raspberry Island

First view of Raspberry Island Light
from the trailhead

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

View of Lake Superior from
Raspberry Island

Raspberry Island Light

Raspberry Island Light

We sailed over to Raspberry Bay which is off of the mainland, (not off of Raspberry Island). We stayed in this bay when we were bringing Mystic back from Michigan in June. It is a very sheltered anchorage. As soon as we settled, we dropped the kayaks and headed for the East side of the bay to explore. The shoreline is rocky with small caves, fun to explore but nothing like those on Sand Island. The highlight was seeing an eagle soar over our heads then land in a high branch. He looked down at us with his keen eye as if to say, "Move on..." As we passed by on our return trip, he was perched on the branch with his magnificent wings spread out. We are pretty sure he was cooling himself.

Our anchorage at Raspberry Bay Harbor

I'm sure we looked funny walking our kayaks along the shore looking for rocks and glass. I found only one piece of glass on this shoreline. We made our way around to the point just off of where Mystic was anchored. The Raspberry River feeds this bay from the south. We paddled up and explored the swampy, buggy waterway. There were yellow lily pads and small fish dancing at the surface of the water, gobbling up the gazillion flying ants that were everywhere. We turned to head back to Mystic, stowed the kayaks and settled in with a cold beer. We are sunburned, sore from the run and kayaking, but we're happy. There is a huge full moon rising over us!

I am beginning to notice how bruised and battered my legs and feet are. I keep hitting my shins and calves on the cockpit hatch latches and stepping on deck hardware. Dave lays a towel over the latches as a reminder to us that they are there. It is incredibly quiet here. There are only 4 boats anchored with us.  The water in the bay is calm but we can hear voices from other boats. The bugs are the only negative aspect. They are everywhere. The setting sun is bouncing off of Raspberry light. It must have been lonely back in the days when the lighthouse keepers were here. I'm sure, on days like today, they'd take a moment to look out at the sunset and breath deep in the quiet calm. This is a beautiful place to be.

Sunset in the Apostles ~ Raspberry Bay Harbor