Madeline Island, WI.

speeder · 06-15-2007, 07:23 AM

Continuing on the never-ending roadtrip of 2007, I am stationed at the moment in Mpls., MN., (my hometown), visiting friends and family as well as working a bit on a couple houses. I am posting from Madeline Island, one of the chain of Apostle Islands on Lake Superior in northern WI. My Dad owns some property up here and has been spending as much summer time as possible here for ~35 years, it is a very popular vacation spot for people from all over the midwest. There is a long tradition of people going north to the lakes of MN. and WI. to escape the heat in summer.

I did not have a plan of staying more than a day or two to visit my Dad, but the island has gotten ahold of me and I find myself scheming ways to stay here forever, or at least until Labor Day.

It doesn't hurt that my Dad was until recently the owner of the coolest bar on the island and is a very beloved figure, (it's a small town and he saved it from insolvency w/ a quick cash-infusion while vacationing several years ago), he then gifted it back to the original owner who is a good friend and multi-generational island-dweller.

The pace up here is not very stressful, the first planned event of each day is croquet @ 6PM everyday and then dinner. Drinking is encouraged, there is one cop on the island and he's on the take.

Croquet w/ Dad and his friends:

Spectator (cheering) section:

speeder · 06-15-2007, 07:34 AM

Here is Bayfield, WI., where you catch the ferry and the boat ride over:

And this is what the island looks like, a beautiful forrest w/ a couple roads cut into it and a landing strip and tiny airport in the middle. There is also a large marina, which I haven't taken pics of yet:

speeder · 06-15-2007, 07:52 AM

Some say it's the coolest bar on earth. Haven't been to all of them, so I really can't argue. The original bar, Leona's, burned down and the proprieter, Tom Nelson, rebuilt it for about $600 w/ found items.

The foundation of the main stage and deck are 1970s Cadillacs planted in the soil:

The main structure, if one can call it that, is an abandoned semi-trailer with decks built around it. We actually get some pretty good names to play up here on summer weekends.

speeder · 06-15-2007, 07:59 AM

Fistfights are OK, (sometimes even encouraged), but shootings are not. Hence the metal detector:

My Dad and his business partner are big on signs:

We sell a lot of t-shirts and panties w/ advertising on them, I got this one:

gassy · 06-15-2007, 08:32 AM

Great pics! Looks and sounds like a great place. Stay as long as you can!

Seahawk · 06-15-2007, 08:45 AM

Wish I could join you, Denis

Romeo looks well!

kaisen · 06-15-2007, 11:14 AM

Spent many many summer days in the Apostle Islands, usually staying in Bayfield and sailing the isles. Used to drop anchor off Hermit Island and swim to shore (Lake Superior is c-c-c-old!). Almost hooked up with a gorgeous young girl from the reservation (red something) in Bayfield one night, but better sense prevailed.

Lotsa memories, thanks Denis

ja78911sc · 06-15-2007, 07:37 PM

Thanks for this post! In the mid seventies I vacationed at Madeline Island with my family. Absolutely beautiful. We stayed at the Peterson estate. If you bump into Ted Pallas on the Island please say hello from Jim in Nebraska--Shirley's son. I have lost both of my parents and this post has put a smile on my face--thanks!!

speeder · 06-16-2007, 10:35 AM

I don't know that family, but my Dad knows most of the people up here. I do know "Nebraska Row" on the island, is that where you stayed? I met a young guy this AM whose family has been up here since 1932, there is a lot of old connections and folks that have known each other since they were born. It's an incredible place that I don't want to leave, especially since I don't like the Twin Cities anymore. (At all).

It would be one thing if I was wearing out my welcome or it was getting old up here, but when I tell someone that I might be heading out they always say, "WTF for?? Where do you have to go? Stay, fer chrisakes..."

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Good stuff Denis! I've been up that way a couple of times.

scottmandue · 06-16-2007, 01:23 PM

Looks like my kind of bar.

ja78911sc · 06-16-2007, 03:16 PM

I believe Nebraska row was indeed the location of our stay.

I googled Ted-- he is the Manager of the La Pointe recycling center. I have not seen Ted in thirty years.

I frequently kid my wife about moving to Madeline Island when we retire. I fell in love with the place when I was a kid. Pictures do not truly describe the beauty.

Enjoy your stay--if you get a chance, post more photo's.

Thanks,
Jim

SLO-BOB · 06-16-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by speeder
but the island has gotten ahold of me and I find myself scheming ways to stay here forever

Tell me if you feel this way in January.

Metal detectors on Madeline Isl.? Find it hard to believe that's necessary.

Nice story and pics-thanks.

speeder · 06-16-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SLO-BOB
Tell me if you feel this way in January.

Metal detectors on Madeline Isl.? Find it hard to believe that's necessary.

Nice story and pics-thanks.

Um..., how do I put this?

It's a joke for chrisakes!

Everything in the bar has a wink on it. Here's better detail on the metal detector, (which is surrounded by open space):