Day 15: Bismarck, Baggage, Bayfield, and Bud Light Lime

Early morning #5 billion. After a near miscommunication mishap with the Bismarck baggage agents, I successfully picked up (stole? it was so easy...) Jeff’s luggage before heading east to Fargo. We arrived within a few minutes of each other and booked it across the state of Minnesota in an attempt to arrive at the kayak shop by 4pm. 9 hours later, we arrived at Living Adventures Inc kayak rentals in time to pick up Pierre, the yellow Canadian Current Designs Storm. In Bayfield, we grocery shopped and discovered that Wisconsinites don't eat hummus or pitas (disaster!!!). Walking back to the car, we commented on the intense humidity to which neither of us is accustomed. We went for a 2 hour evening paddle, launching from the Apostle Islands Harbor and paddling south along the peninsula to Pikes Bay. The sandstone cliffs here are nearly vertical and bright red.

At Pikes Bay we found a breakwater constructed out of old train cars filled with boulders. Over time, they have filled in with sand, fostering a community of small birch trees. We floated in a small meadow of stiff green grasses before heading back to Bayfield. 

Breakwater made of old train cars filled with boulders

Back at the marina, we made a delicious spaghetti veggie dinner. I decided to pour half of my bowl on the parking lot... 5-second rule! Jeff enjoyed (?) his first Bud Light Lime. 

Cooking spaghetti and veggies at the Apostle Islands Marina

We’re currently camping in a yard in Washburn owned by my friend John’s cousins. They live in a beautiful house in the woods with a couple dogs and cats. We only chatted with Mike briefly since we arrived rather late, but it’s super nice here. If only I had fixed the marmot-hole in my tent, through-which mosquitos like to flock!

Date: August 2nd, 2014

Distance: 6 miles

Time: 2 hrs