*Travel Journal, Day Two

Monday, 5:30 a.m.: Hmm. Daylight so soon? Look at those jackrabbits frolicking around the fire pit.

Monday, 5:45 a.m.: This trail mix sucks.

Monday, 6:00 a.m.: Well, if I break down camp, I won't have to come back here if something else comes up.

Monday, 6:15 a.m.: Yep, that pop-up tent was the best money I ever spent. Back on the road.

Monday, 7:00 a.m.: I don't think I ever realized how beautiful it is up around here (Bayfield/Washburn, WI)...the views of Lake Superior are stunning.

Monday, 7:15 a.m.: Oooh! That house is for sale. I should buy a summer home up here.

Monday, 7:17 a.m.: Although I really ought to settle on a rest-of-the-year home first.

Monday, 7:20 a.m.: OR. I could be one of those cool, hardy island-people who live on Madeline Island year-round.

Monday, 7:22 a.m.: But I really don't think I'd have the cajones to drive back and forth to the mainland on the frozen lake during the freeze.

Monday, 7:24 a.m.: They do have an airstrip, though.

Monday, 7:25 a.m.: I could be like Maggie on Northern Exposure.

Monday, 7:27 a.m.: The islanders would probably think I was more like Fleischman.

Monday, 7:30 a.m.: And it would seriously limit my dating pool. There are only like 200 people on the island. I doubt I could talk anybody else into living up here in the boonies. Hmph. I thought the fishery was up here...but I think I've gone too far. Better go get directions.

Monday, 7:45 a.m.: The park office opens in 15 minutes. What to do until then? Oh, I'll play poker on my cell phone.

Monday, 8:02 a.m.: I knew I was on the right road...I just didn't go far enough. Oooh, that house is for sale. How awesome would it be to live in Bayfield? It's so pretty.

Monday, 8:15 a.m.: I haven't been here in like 17 years. I wonder if I can find the old farm house? That'd be cool.

Monday, 8:16 a.m.: Cool, there's the old farm house! Was the trim always that color? Yeah, that's got to be it. The circle drive and the garage are dead giveaways. I'll look at it more on the way back.

Monday, 8:25 a.m.: Is this the fishery? None of this looks familiar. This park wasn't here before, was it? Or that dock? Weird. Let me double-check.

Monday, 8:30 a.m.: Well, I'll get out and walk down that path...

Monday, 8:35 a.m.: Oh, there it is. Yay! Where's the plaque thingie, though? They changed this all around.

Monday, 10:00 a.m.: Happy day. The plaque was over on the other side. We always used to get to the beach from behind rather than off to the side where the park is now. They won't let the public onto the farthest end of the dock, but everything is as I remember it. Except the islands across the bay are closer than I remember. It always seemed so far off when I was little. Now let's have a closer look at their old farm house...yep, that's the one. The part where it butts out in the living room into a little alcove is unmistakable. And I remember that gate thing on the side. Cooool. There's the shed where my sister stumbled onto a wasps' nest...and my brother abandoned her. Good times.

Monday, 10:30 a.m.: Stupid cell phones. I have to be back home tomorrow. Good thing I didn't travel too far away. Equally good thing I packed up camp. I'm so smart.

Monday, 11:00 a.m.: Near Superior now. So tired.

Monday, 1:30 p.m.: A nap. That's what I need. That parking lot looks like a good place to take a nap.

Monday, 2:30 p.m.: Good nap. I can't believe I was able to fall asleep here.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Back home. Safe and sound. And early. Gots to sleep.

Posted by Jennifer at May 19, 2005 06:37 PM

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