A long yearned for trip to Isle Royale to explore the flora, fauna, wildlife and other strange happenstances.

For nigh onto 5 decades I have wanted to visit "THE ISLE"  http://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm

in the middle of THE LAKE" http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/superior/superiorfacts.html .

To visit a place far from civilization, where internet tis not available, where cell phones don't work and there is not even a  public pay phone on the corner or in the lodge or campsites.

Recently, having discovered the possibility of BOTH visiting the Isle and learning of the art of the sea kayaking

http://woodswaterecotours.com/isle.htm  

I heard opportunity knocking and signed on. 

Thus, early in the month of July I found myself headed to a rendezvous with The Ranger, berthed at Houghton, Michigan.

Leaving on the Ural

 http://grubygust.com/current_files/URAL/Ural_.htm

a bit early the first destination was the "Porkies" 

http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=426&type=SPRK

Which has been a frequent personal camping tradition since a 9 year old lad was introduced to them, oh so many years ago. Although not tenting this trip, traditions/rituals remain. Mandated is a visit to Lake of the Clouds. This time a confused deer was telescopically observed, wading and eating water lilies as if it were a moose. It is in the shallows, (lower right), but suffers from the JTFATBPP (Just Too Far Away To Be Photographed Phenomena).

At the other end of the South Boundary Road are the Presque Isle Falls, also a part of the tradition.

Next tis the beach and Lake Superior swim(s) rituals.

Both of the above may also include the SWP (Small World Phenomena) which is a ritual carried out whenever and wherever.

Lazing on the beach what to my wandering eyes did appear was a jolly old Randy driving a Ural Patrol. Given that Urals/Uralists(?) are rather uncommon, a meeting requires a stop and confab - a SWP. Howsomever, the world proved to be even smaller as Randy and I had met several years earlier at a SKUNK Rally. (SWP² ?)

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SKUNKtails/

A rinse of road grime and, as Tigger oft said, "TTFN".

Parking Lot Conversations, Learning and More SWP

Dad, his retirement bike and son's pre retirement bike.          Son carrying luggage.

I generally circumnavigate Lake Superior at least once a riding season, sometimes clockwise, sometimes counterclockwise; frequently stopping at the Canadian Soo to visit the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

http://www.bushplane.com/

Also, this last spring on the way to Vermont, et.al. I spent a delightful time at Science North in Sudbury, Ontario.

http://sciencenorth.ca/

This gentleman tis from the Canadian Soo and works for the Forest Service, Bushplane Division, water bombing forest fires while his friend, riding the bike on the left is from Sudbury. They and their wives (riding pillion) had just finished the first leg of their trip (clockwise) around The Lake.

More good SWP parking lot conversations.

Unusual not to see bear while in the Porkies so have included a couple of Herb at the backyard bird feeder.

--- and so into YOOPER country and up the Keweenaw.

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