Leaving Isle Royale

On the 22nd, we arose and got the news that the ferry from Copper Harbor was coming over to drop off passengers, and would immediately load up and go back.  Normally, it stays on island about 3 hours.  Everyone needed to be ready by 11:00 for an expected 11:30 arrival.  So we all packed up after breakfast.  I bought a clean shirt at the store, which was open once again.  At least I would have one clean thing to wear back after wearing the same shirt and trousers for eight straight days.

We try to keep a clean camp, but inevitably, small pieces of food find the ground, and when they do, the clean up crew is always alert.  The Isle Royale red squirrel is actually a separate sub-species.  It is less red and smaller than its mainland cousins.  I wonder how this little species of squirrel got all the way out here?  Must have floated on something to colonize the island.

Before the ship came, we got some photos taken at the welcome display.

Right on schedule, the ferry arrived.  I think that everyone was happy to see it.  Weather would be worsening again late in the afternoon, so they wanted to make the trip back while seas were 3-5 feet rather than 8 feet later.

The ride back took 4 hours and was plenty rough enough.  We all took anti-seasickness medication.  No one attempted to go out on the bow - it was too rough.  This shot is off the stern, Isle Royale fading in the distance.

Back in Copper Harbor, we all enjoyed showers - my, did that feel good - and had dinner together.  Then Rick told me that someone had told him about a laundromat about a half mile or so down the street, which we found.  Once we found it, we walked back, got our filthy clothing, and returned to it.  If we had been flying out Sunday, I might not have bothered.  Most of my hiking clothing should not be machine dried, so I hung them to dry overnight back in the chalet.

Sunday morning, after a great breakfast of pancakes at the Pines Restaurant, I went to mass at Our Lady of the Pines. It is a lovely log church.

We'd all hoped to go for a hike on the trails around town, but it was a drizzly day, so a few of us went to a micro brew - check out the flight board in the shape of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

This friendly guy came over to say hello in the bar.

The weather continued to be poor for the day, so we all just kind of holed up and watched football and other TV shows, took a walk around town for some ice cream, went out for pizza, and then retired to our various lodgings.  The next morning, after breakfast, we battled Copper Harbor's brutal Monday morning rush hour.  I also visited the little town museum again.

After our shuttle to the airport by noon, we spent the next 12 hours getting back to Richmond.  Ironically, the Sunday flight out of Houghton had been cancelled due to weather, so if we had managed to get on it, we would not be leaving until Tuesday at the earliest, as Monday's flight was 100% booked.  Also ironically, the Monday ferry to Isle Royale was cancelled due to lake conditions.  After not even being late all summer, the Isle Royale Queen had to cancel two voyages in a row.

I had a great trip to a wonderful national park, but was so happy to get home about 12:30 AM Tuesday.

Prior story - bonus day on Isle Royale
Next story - If I ever get back....