Sand Island lighthouse.

This is the start of our 2007 Apostle Island sail. We got in the water about 6pm and sailed with Eilert and Mary to our first stop Sand Island. The winds were SW so we had no trouble getting to Justice Bay (Sand Island) before sundown. The forcast up here means everything, so we knew where to go the first night to be out of the wind. (CLICK ON MOST OF THE FOLLOWING PICS FOR AN ENHANCED VIEW)

Finally in the water, I hoped we didn't forget anything.

Liz is sailing as fast as she can to get us to our first nights anchor destination-- Sand Island

Sunset on Sand Island. After 11 hours getting here by land, and sailing out to this island (4 miles) . We were ready and waiting for this...

This is Eilert and Mary. They got us started going to Lake Superior and this is the most fun vacations we have ever had. He knows all the safe havens and boy does he have CHARTS!!.

It really wouldn't be a true OUTING without Liz changing her "shoes" , now would it be....

Is that really a powerboat next to us??? What is this world coming too!!!!

This is Mary and Eilert and Liz on a march back from the lighthouse at Sand Island. It was only a mile from our anchorage.

We took the dingy and rowed to these caves on Sand Island. This is what waves do to solid ROCK!!!

Got a nice NE wind (18knts) so we are headed for that island maybe 5 miles away.

May be hard to see, but about 20 boats used this shelter one night when some high winds were predicted. You have to use your weather radio all the time to get the night forcast so a sheltered bay can be found. You pretty much know by noon of any given day what the wind direction will be for that night. By mid afternoon the sailboats start to gather, so if you see a group anchoring early you know it is probably a safe place to settle in for the night.

This is an official Raspberry Island historian giving us a very detailed account of the daily life of a lighthouse attendant. The lighthouse man was allowed to bring his family out for the summer.

We docked near a Lake Superior tour boat at Raspberry Island. Lots of stairs to get up to the lighthouse.

This seagull was looking for handouts. He got close and we just kept "pigging out" on our porkloin. He looks plenty well fed to me anyway...

This is the Rocky Island dock where we stayed the night before. This dock was lined with sailboats that night and 4 - 5 more anchored out in the bay. We cooked out on the beach and had a nice campfire with the other sailers. They thought the PINE AND POST was great that I brought.... probably because it was FREE.

Sand Island lighthouse built in 1890 (something). The life of a lighthouse man... now that would be lonely!

Not much wind but the scenery is fantastic.

Some of the caves on Sand Island

But, Butt , Liz is still putting the sails away. Hurry up so we can open our last bottle of VINO!

We are back to our final port before leaving the lake. It took us all afternoon to sail around the island in the background.

Our last night on Lake Superior---- we will be back next year for sure!!!

We met Matt and Robin at Lake Okoboji for a few days last week. Stayed at his company's vacation home along with Lu Lu and Vivian. This lake is a couple hours east of Sioux Falls and very very populated. We had great fun sailing on our boat and touring on Matt's deck boat.

What other game is there besides CHICKEN FOOT.....

The wind was so high this day that Liz and I just took the sails down and motored around. This tour boat from Arnolds Park probably thought we were some kind of oddity.

This is the harbor view from the house we stayed at on Lake Okoboji. Not enough room for both boats in this slip so the sail boat went back on the trailer.

Have to hang on to something up on the deck..... This lake is over 100' deep in spots.

Morning sail

They are all smiles since they found the Merlot I had stashed for the trip.

Touring Lake O on Matt's boat. I like it when someone else has to drive.

Do you think we can share this space for 4 days...

We will soon find out!!!

Getting the sailboat ready for the 200 mile trip to Okaboji this Saturday.

Lou Lou and Liz finishing out the day.

Sailing into the sunset one night last week

Liz in the garden. We installed some vinyl snow fence to keep out the deer.

Good News!!! We sold the HC. Thank you CRAIGSLIST. The second guy to look at it took it home to Sioux Falls this afternoon.

We had a garage sale but the HobieCat didn't go away. Guess I will have to try to sell it the old fashioned way... Advertise. I am going to try the newspaper and thinking about putting it on Craigslist just for the fun of it. Getting too old for this type, but it is a thrill to sail. Doesn't that look like $650 bucks worth of fun??? Comes with ONE lesson--- AFTER I get the dough!

Happy Birthday Crystal - 27 big ONES !!!

End of another great day in SD

All day Friday it rained and rained, then all of a sudden the sun appeared!! (I'm thinking we need to get on the WATER--- NOW!)

This is Crystal with her early Bday cake. Liz the cake baker. Coleen and Curt Ehresmann (Karls great family). We were at Jenkins visiting Coleen to find out why she likes to break things, her bones for instance...

Got the boat on the lift and ready...

Had a campfire tonight. Not enough wind to sail so we sat around the camfiire and talked about whatever!!! It was a great time and prelude to Memorial Day. That is Rocco snozzing, and oh ya Karl and Crystal.

I wonder if she can actually tell them apart or does she just do a HEAD count every now and then???

Hen mallard and looks like 11 ducklings

The black floatation cubes on the bottom will come off once we get it in place.

Now that we have so much water, I need to get this bridge DONE!! If you click on this pic, you can see it is built "over" a 16' section of aluminum dock. Over all it will span 24' and we HOPE it is strong enough to support the mower and also stay in place when we get spring run off.

This is literally this young Black Birds first look at the world from its birthplace. It doesn't know (or care) that it was hatched in a Wood Duck house or that the guy with the camera is who its mother was warning about.

You have to make a decision, now go for it... (digital 'tricks' brought to you by Crystal)

I need your input... We are trying to rename this sailboat. Please comment for this one or the one above. Thank you