What's Up with Madeline Island - Part Uno

 We went on an adventure to The Apostle Island and Madeline Island to be exact.  Never been there, don't know anybody who has been there and not a lot of information about what is actually there . . . . except it's always seems to be a place to go.  

So DJ, Gus and I jumped in Rocky and Bullwinkle (Rocky is the camper a Rockwood 1910 ) and took off. 

We decided to take the west route as we thought it would have more 4 lane roads as it was going to be a long drive.  But after a few beers (weeks before) and talking about logistics we decided to make a stop in Hayward first. Then it's only 1.5 hours to the ferry to get to Madeline Island and then a couple hours getting situated at the campsite. So we did not want to drive 6 hours and then have to set up. 

Easy drive to Hayward the home of the Lumberjack World Championships, the American Birkebeiner and just a crap load of fishing.  The town has a population of 2000 with 8 gas stations.  Spent a night there and on the way out there is a HUGE fish at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.   

WELL - I had to get a photo but NOOOOOO, I have to pay $8.50 for entry.  I told them I did not fish and only wanted to get a photo to help advertise the place . . . . . still $8.50.  So we drove around and crawling through some ferns and shrubs to a fence I leaned over and took a shot. 

HEY - it's the best I could do. 

Beautiful highway to Bayfield which LOOKS like a pretty cool town but super crazy busy with zero parking for a vehicle and camper.  Nada!  If you want to shop before going to the Island shop in Washburn 20 miles before.    So!  no place to park we got in line for the ferry. 

The ferry costs us $100 for a two way trip and takes  . . .15 minutes?   There is a ferry every half hour.

We arrive in La Point with 29 more vehicles, 20 or 30 pedestrians and maybe 10 bicycles!  What do we see?   Not much actually.  To put it in terms I understand.  La Point is like Door County's  Baileys Harbor BUT, 50 years ago.    

However - the one redeeming "building" is Tom's Burns Out Cafe.   When doing some research this was the only establishment that was ever mentioned more then once. To put it bluntly -  If The Grateful Dead decided to open a dive bar with only what their concert goers left behind - you got it. 

IT WAS AWESOME! 

  ALTHOUGH - not for everybody! 

You gotta see it to believe it. Reminds me of the 60's only more fun.  dennis e

We really enjoyed this bar. It was fun, friendly, and cute with history. P7504VLamandaw

 The inside is a dump. What a mess! We walked in and someone was getting their head shaved on the patio. Inside, be careful where you step. Uneven floors held together with license plates, crappy, old carpet, odd gross garbage picked chairs that make your skin crawl when you sit on them. They were going for the “let’s be really funky and weird” look, but all it really looks like is a garbage picked, “we wanted a bar but have no money to spend on furniture and decor” mess. - pinecone759

Obviously they voted for the loser President.  OH - it's great.  Drinks are $11 and most have a dash of soda in them (wink wink hubba hubba) and it's very dog friendly, Gus loved it and they loved Gus. 

I gotta give a few sentences on Gus.  WOW!  He is a "comfort retriever".  Literally every 10-15 minutes someone was hugging him and wishing they had there dog with them and little kids would get on their knees and give big bear hugs him and speak softly to him lovingly.  Store owners would go across the street to give him a treat and he had his first deep fried cheese curd in Tom's Burned Out when he sat and shook a customers hand.   

I have to believe that people are just stressed out enough on being out of their comfort zone that they see this smiling tail wagging fur ball and for a few minutes their unknown to them stress level falls.  Even in Hayward a big burly dude with three off road four wheelers and mud everywhere was all lovey over Gus. 

MUCH more about Madeline Island coming.

End Part Uno.