 I would invite you to "just let go" of your schedules, agendas, and itineraries and allow yourselves to experience the joy of surrendering to "Island time". Many years ago, I was enjoying a trip back from Isle Royale aboard the Ranger III ferry. One of the staff members was playing a guitar and singing to entertain the passengers. One of the songs that he sang, was an Isle Royale-themed rewrite of the Don Williams song, "Tulsa Time". The chorus went something like this: Living on Island time. Living on Island time. Adjusting my pace to this beautiful place. Living on Island time. I can't specifically remember the verses, but they spoke of adopting a relaxed and laid back approach to enjoying Isle Royale. I agree with that sentiment. What Is Island Time?I think that many people would each have their own definitions of "Island time". For me, "Island time" is a mindset or a "way of being". It is completely (or nearly completely) surrendering your plans and your schedules to "whatever comes your way" on that particular day. "Living on Island time" can involve setting aside your timepieces and your schedules (and not worrying about rushing to get a shelter or a campsite). You consciously decide to accept the fact that you will "get there when you get there"--and you are content with that decision. Some people might call it choosing to "live in the moment". Sure, you might have a GOAL of getting to your next campsite by 3:00 p.m.--but stopping to watch otters play for 30 minutes easily becomes a new (and greater) priority than reaching camp by 3:00 p.m. That's living on Island time. Do you have your Isle Royale meals strictly planned and "set in stone" (i.e. Monday evening WILL be spaghetti. Tuesday evening WILL be beef stew. Wednesday WILL be chili mac, etc.) -- or is there great flexibility in what you decide to eat? Many times, I blindly reach into my food bag--and just grab something and it becomes my meal. If it is a dehydrated scrambled eggs skillet breakfast for Thursday's evening meal--so be it. Chili Mac for Friday's breakfast? That's just fine too. It's called "Living on Island time". While backpacking, if you start to feel weary and decide to stop at Daisy Farm--instead of pushing on to Moskey Basin as scheduled--that's living on Island time. Conversely, if you are you feeling great when you reach your intended stopping point for the day---and you decide to keep paddling for a few more hours-- that is also "living on Island time". In the Disney movie, THE LION KING, Timon and Pumbaa perhaps would have referred to living on Island time as "Hakuna Matata". Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze It means no worries For the rest of your days It's our problem-free philosophy Hakuna Matata! Forrest Gump and The Andy Griffith Show Even though he (probably) never visited Isle Royale--the fictional character, Forrest Gump, seemed to understand the concept of "living on Island time". Consider the immortal words of Forrest Gump: That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going. When I got tired--I slept. When I got hungry--I ate. When I had to go ---you know --I went. Forrest Gump lived on Island time. He seemed to have a general goal--but (overall) his daily plans were flexible and subject to change. He just "lived in the moment". He modified his itinerary and his route in whatever ways seemed best at that time. He ate when he was hungry. He slept when he was tired. He went to the bathroom whenever he felt the need. Some of my best Isle Royale trips have followed a similar approach. It's called living on Island time. One of the more popular/famous episodes of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW is entitled "Man In a Hurry". Briefly stated, the plot involves an out-of-town businessman (who lives his life impatiently and in a hurry). His car breaks down in Mayberry on a weekend. Thus, he faces challenges in getting his car repaired in a small town on a weekend. The man is initially extremely frustrated with the slow pace of things in Mayberry. However, after a couple of days, he learns to appreciate (and actually embrace) the slower lifestyle of Mayberry and its inhabitants. He learns to "live on Island time". (You can learn more about the episode, "Man in a Hurry" by clicking HERE.) Reasons Why You Should Embrace "Island Time" 1. YOU OFTEN HAVE FEW (or no) OTHER CHOICES THAN TO EMBRACE ISLAND TIME (UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE ANGRY, FRUSTRATED, AND MISERABLE). For better (or for worse) much of what we encounter on Isle Royale is out of our control -- and there is little that we can do to change that situation. If a moose and her calf are blocking the trail---there is little that you can do to change that situation. You are not going to be able to hike through that section of trail until mother moose and her baby decide to exit the area. If weather (or mechanical issues) delay your ferry or seaplane--there isn't much that you can do about that. Similar things can be said about encountering situations like illness, injury, or severe storms during your trip. You can either embrace and accept these situations (by relaxing and modifying your plans accordingly)--or you can choose to be extremely unhappy and miserable because of these ever evolving situations. Being frustrated and angry (and even throwing a tantrum) will not change the weather nor will it get your seaplane or ferry to arrive any faster. Also, I playfully dare you to throw a temper tantrum with a mama moose (who has a calf)--and see which one of you wins that battle of wills. Consciously choose to joyfully accept whatever Island life throws at you and "just roll with it". It's called "living on Island time". 2. "SIMPLICITY" CAN BE FUN AND REFRESHING. Think about all of the countless decisions (big or small) that most of us have to make each day (including the dreaded "What's for dinner?" and "What should I wear?"). Next, think about all of the things that we have to do each day--or over the course of an entire week-- at work, home, or school Also, consider all of the things that we have to remember each day. (Remember to take out the trash. Remember to feed the cat. Remember to call that person. Remember to pay that bill. Remember all of the appointments on our schedule. Remember numerous PINs and passwords). Now, imagine how SIMPLE you can make your life on Isle Royale (if you choose to do so). At it's best and least complex, my Isle Royale life can sometimes be pretty simple. 1) Get up in the morning. Eat something and pack up my campsite. 2) Hike or paddle to someplace. 3) Set up camp. Filter water. Eat something. 4) Sleep. 5) Repeat this the next day. (My pack doesn't hold much--so my choices for "What should I wear?" and "What should I eat?" are pretty limited and pretty easy). Sometimes, I have some really "big" choices to make like--"Should I stay at this campground another day?" and "Should I take another nap?". The joys of living on Island time. 3. EMBRACING ISLAND TIME CAN OFTEN MAKE YOUR TRIP LESS STRESSFUL. If you have already been to Isle Royale a time or two, you have probably encountered people (on Isle Royale) who have clearly NOT embraced Island time. Oftentimes, they are pretty easy to spot. They are usually moving very quickly to get somewhere. They are (generally) not looking happy or relaxed as they move about at a swift pace. They have a stern look of determination or "purpose" on their face. They rarely pause to acknowledge anyone else (because they are too busy for that). They can't slow down and enjoy "HERE" --because they are in a rush to be somewhere else. You sometimes see them moving at almost a sprint --in an effort to reach a campground and secure a shelter or tent site. They are frequently checking the time on their watch or electronic devices. Sometimes, they are figuratively --and/or literally--still "tethered" to their home, office or school and they are frequently looking to see if they have any cell phone service (so they can continue to deal with things at home or at work). Their minds are usually elsewhere (home, work--or their next destination on the Island). Thus, they have difficulty fully enjoying their present situation or their current surroundings. Imagine how much less stressful your Island life would be--if you adopted the attitude that "I will get to my campground whenever I get there. I may not get a shelter--and that's O.K.. I may have to share a tent site with strangers---and that is perfectly O.K. too. Instead of rushing, I am going to slow down and enjoy the journey". Imagine how much less stressful your trip could be if you truly decided to mentally (and literally) disconnect from home and office--and committed yourself to NOT checking for cell service every few minutes. A Personal Note: I usually have 2-4 jobs at a time. I am the longtime pastor of a congregation. I also used to manage two substance abuse treatment centers (and this was in addition to serving as pastor of a church). I was the mayor of a village. I am currently the President of the Board of Directors of multi-million dollar non-profit corporation. I have two children with special needs. I have had family members with health problems--including relatives with terminal illnesses. Thus, I understand what it is like to be busy and to have people who "need" to be in touch with me. Yet, everyone (in my family and my work circles) knows -- that once I step onto an Isle Royale ferry or an Isle Royale seaplane--my cellphone is off or on "airplane mode" until I return to the mainland. I make it crystal clear that I will be unavailable. (And, I usually visit Isle Royale once or twice per year for 8-16 days at a time. That's a long time to have the cell phone off). Personally, I find it to be very important, restful, and energizing -- to periodically "disconnect" from everything in my day-to-day life and to come to Isle Royale and live on Island time.. ("Your Mileage May Vary"--but I dare you to try it sometime). SOME TIPS AND POINTERS (For "Living on Island Time") 1. DON'T create a busy (or full) schedule or itinerary. Leave one or two days in your schedule or itinerary with NOTHING planned--(no hiking, no paddling, no activities). This will help give you more flexibility and a bit of a "cushion" to deal with unexpected things like transportation delays, bad weather, bad trail conditions, illness or injury.
2. Try to have flexibility and options built into your plan. If you are staying at the lodge or cabins--don't have every moment scheduled. Let some decisions be made on the "day of"--and make your decisions based upon the weather and how you are feeling. If you are hiking or paddling, try to create a route that permits you to hike/paddle longer (or shorter) distances each day (depending on your mood and the current conditions). Create an overall itinerary for your trip that permits you (at several points during the trip) to pick an option that will make the overall trip distance either longer or shorter. Feel empowered to modify your "plan" based upon whatever seems right in that particular moment. For the most part, only one thing is important for me on my trips--that I am at the boat or seaplane in time to depart the Island. The rest of my trip gets decided as I go. 3. Accept the fact that there very likely WILL be a need to alter your plans (sometimes even more than once). There may be transportation delays. Weather may cause various changes to occur during your trip. In 2021 and 2022, wild fires caused many people's plans and routes to be modified. A blue-green algae bloom may alter your planned water source and/or your campground choice. You may become injured or ill. A mama moose and her calf may block your path for 40 minutes. If you enter into your trip fully accepting the likelihood that your plan is going to encounter many changes--you are less likely to "stress out" when the inevitable changes and challenges actually do occur. 4. Leave your cellphone off (or in airplane mode) and try to leave work, home, and school behind you. It is difficult to "live on Island time" --if you are still literally (or mentally) connected to home, work, school, or if you are connected to cell signals or the internet. 5. SLOW DOWN! Relax! "Stop and smell the roses". Don't be in such a rush to get places. (So what if you don't get a shelter and/or if you have to share a tent site with strangers? You will survive--and you might even enjoy the experience and enjoy the people that you encounter). Take time to enjoy the wildlife and the scenery. Take time to talk to people along the trail or at campgrounds. Spend a day or two at the same campground. Take some naps. In 2022, I was doing a solo night hike. From time-to-time, I just stopped--shut off my headlamp--and simply stood there--enjoying the solitude, the darkness, and the "night noises". I was living on island time. Living on Island time. Living on Island time. Adjusting my pace to this beautiful place. Living on Island time.
0 Comments
 I INTENTIONALLY plan for an easy first day on almost all of my Isle Royale trips. Overall, it makes for less frustration, less disappointment, and less exhaustion. It is "interesting" watching people arrive at Isle Royale. The vast majority of them are in quite a rush to get on the trail, get out on the water, or to get to their room/cabin and then get out and start exploring. The biggest irony is, many of them would tell you that they came to Isle Royale to RELAX--and here they are rushing around! I am USUALLY the opposite of that. I typically take my time as I prepare to get on the trail or water. I usually plan to cover only very low mileage (or even NO mileage) on Day # 1. I also resign myself to the fact that I probably won't get a wooden shelter and that I may even have to share a tent site. I am typically one of the last persons to leave the dock/arrival area. Then, I start out moving at a very leisurely pace. Why I plan for an easy first day ... 1. I have learned that I am usually tired and a bit "out of sorts" on Day # 1. In the days leading up to my arrival on Isle Royale--I have typically been rushing around at home and work. I have been packing, attending to last minute details, and getting things "squared away" (at both home and work) -- before I leave on my trip. I have a 10-12 hour drive to the boat or seaplane. I have typically spent one (or two) nights in motels before I get on the ferry or the plane. (Thus, my sleep schedule is a bit off from sleeping in motels). I usually have to get up pretty early on the morning that I board the ferry or plane. So, overall, I am feeling tired and a bit sleep deprived on Day # 1. My eating, sleeping, and digestive schedules are all a bit "off" from traveling. Then, I have had a 35-45 minute seaplane flight (or a 1.5 hour to 6 hour ferry ride) to the Island. By the time that I actually reach the Island, I am tired and "out of sorts" (and a bit "high" on adrenaline from the excitement of being on the Island again--then feeling a "crash" as the adrenaline leaves my body). All of this negatively impacts my energy and endurance on Day # 1. Thus, I try to have an easy Day # 1 planned. 2. No matter how early in the day you arrive on Isle Royale, your Day # 1 is always a SHORT DAY in terms of available time to do activities. Even if you arrive on the Island at 8:30 a.m. and finish checking-in and getting your permits by 9:00 a.m.--the sun has already been up for a few hours. (And, many people do not arrive on Isle Royale until the afternoon). Thus, It is nearly impossible to squeeze a full day of activities into this "shorter" day. (And, the more "stuff"--and the more mileage-- that I try to squeeze into this shorter day--the more that I typically end up regretting it). Thus, I try to plan a very easy Day # 1. Don't try to squeeze a full day of activity into a day that you KNOW is going to be a short day. 3. There is always the possibility of experiencing a transportation delay in getting to the Island. Such a delay might be for only a couple hours in duration--or it might be for an entire day (or longer). The more "stuff" (and the more mileage) that you have planned for Day # 1--the more that your plans will be negatively impacted by any delayed arrival. If you are hiking or paddling, and you intentionally plan to cover NO mileage (or just a few miles) on Day # 1--you are not very far "behind schedule" if your transportation is a few hours (or even an entire day) late. You can get back "on schedule" fairly easy. Conversely, if you you plan to cover many miles on Day # 1--and you are a few hours (or an entire day) late in arriving on the Island---you are already way behind schedule and you will possibly be having to "rush" for the rest of your entire trip. That is why I INTENTIONALLY plan for a very easy Day #1 ...it provides a bit of a built-in cushion or buffer against any potential travel delays. A COUPLE OF STORIES In 2012, my former college roommate and I were going to get dropped off (by the Voyager II ferry) at McCargoe Cove at 1:00 p.m. on Day # 1. We had plans of hiking 13.5 miles to Little Todd Harbor Campground on the day of our arrival. Well, there was a rare (non-weather related) departure delay for the ferry and some "slow sailing" en route to the Island. Thus, we got to McCargoe Cove closer to 2:15 p.m. (instead of 1:00 p.m.)--and we got on the trail at around 2:30 p.m. Fools that we are, we STILL wanted to get to our planned destination that day--even though there had been a delay in arriving on the Island. We did indeed get to Little Todd harbor that day--but we got there in the dark. We had to set up camp, filter water, and eat our evening meal--all in the dark. We had planned too aggressive of a Day # 1--and the transportation delay compounded our poor planning. I think that was the last time that I planned an aggressive Day # 1 on an Isle Royale trip. In 2022, I did two Isle Royale trips--one hiking trip and one canoe trip. On the hiking trip, I arrived at Windigo around 10:30 a.m. (Central Time). I got my backcountry permit-. I then went and secured a shelter at Windigo (Washington Creek Campground). I spent the day relaxing at Windigo and Washington Creek. I took two naps before 7:00 p.m. I hiked ZERO miles that day. On the 2022 canoe trip, the Voyager II dropped off me, my canoe partner (and our canoe) at McCargoe Cove in the early afternoon. We set up camp at McCargoe Cove. We then relaxed and explored the McCargoe Cove area. Our actual "canoeing" would not start until the next day (with a 2 mile portage). Thus, after dinner, my canoe partner decided to portage the canoe roughly half the distance to the place where we would enter the water the next morning (so we would have an easier and quicker start to the the next day). Ironically, my travel partner was the same one in both the 2012 "death march" to Little Todd Harbor and the 2022 canoe trip. And, both experiences started with us arriving at McCargoe Cove via a ferry. We had learned (in ten years of "maturing") to not rush Day # 1 on Isle Royale. I can promise you, the relaxing Day # 1 at McCargoe Cove (prior to the actual start of the canoe trip) was CONSIDERABLY more fun than the "forced march" (some of it in the dark) to Little Todd Harbor in 2012. YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR PLAN! If you get to the Island on time on Day # 1--AND--if you are feeling good--nothing says that (as the day unfolds in real time) you can't push your day's activities beyond what you had originally planned. If you planned to cover ZERO miles on Day #1--you can certainly change your mind and decide to cover a few miles on Day # 1 (if you arrive on time and are feeling well). If you had originally planned to cover just a few miles on Day # 1--it is perfectly fine to re-evaluate that plan when you reach that planned initial destination--and travel farther on that day. A HIKING EXAMPLE: You may PLAN on hiking only to Three Mile Campground on Day # 1. However, if you arrive on the island on time--and if you are feeling good when you reach Three Mile (and there is plenty of daylight remaining) --you can certainly press on to Daisy Farm by the end of Day # 1--or maybe even Moskey Basin (If they are located on your planned route).
It "feels" much better (mentally, emotionally, and physically) to be AHEAD of schedule than to be BEHIND schedule. CONCLUSION PLAN FOR AN EASY DAY # 1. That way, if you arrive on the Island late and/or if you are feeling tired--you have already accounted for that in your initial plan. Conversely, if all goes well, and you arrive on time--and you are feeling great--then having an easy Day # 1 planned gives you an opportunity to do MORE THAN PLANNED--and get "ahead of schedule" (or get to your destination early and get some rest). A Final Example: In my opinion, one of the worst plans that someone can have--is to arrive at Windigo on Day # 1--and plan to hike the 13.5 miles to NORTH Lake Desor Campground on Day #1. No matter how early you arrive on the Island, you are already getting a "late" start to your hiking day toward North Lake Desor. For most hikers, it is important to start that tough 13.5 mile hike very early in the day. There are few (or no) good places to camp along the trail (or to filter pleasant tasting water) between Windigo and North Lake Desor. Thus, once you start from Windigo toward North Lake Desor--you pretty much have to get to North Lake Desor on Day # 1 --or spend a horrible night along the trail--with limited water to drink (or you need to hike in the dark). Many people have planned "too big" for their Day # 1 (by planning to get to North Lake Desor on Day # 1) and they subsequently found themselves doing a "risky" hike in the dark on the Minong Ridge Trail--and either having a horrid night sleeping on the trail or arriving at North Lake Desor in the dark, thirsty, exhausted, and hungry (and STILL having to set up camp, filter water, and prepare a meal--all in the dark). Planning an easy Day # 1--and staying at Windigo the first night--and starting the hike to North Lake Desor EARLY on Day # 2--could avoid all of that risky night hiking, exhaustion, and dehydration. No matter what your overall Isle Royale plans are--try to plan for an EASY Day # 1--and avoid some potential Day # 1 unpleasantness.  Transportation delays occasionally happen with Isle Royale trips. Thus, be prepared for them and have a plan. The only way to get to and from Isle Royale are the various commercial ferries and the commercial seaplanes (unless you are using your own private boat or private seaplane). Thus, your Isle Royale trip (in many ways) will be VERY dependent upon these modes of commercial transportation. If the boat or plane is unable to travel--due to weather or mechanical issues--that transportation delay is going to greatly impact your trip, your schedule, and your life. Thus, I would encourage you to be prepared for the possibility of transportation delays and have plans that you can implement in such situations. First, the Great News ... I have actually used each of the modes of commercial transportation to/from Isle Royale. I can personally attest to the safety, reliability, and tremendous customer service that EACH of these transportation services provide. I have great faith in each of them. They will do their very best to work with you and they will try to find solutions to any issues that may arise. Their staff members are well-trained, experienced and (almost always) super courteous. Their boats and planes are routinely inspected. They meet all government safety regulations. Safety briefings happen at the start of every trip. Safety drills are held (per the frequency set forth by the appropriate regulatory agencies). As Isle Royale visitors, we are blessed to have each of these transportation services--and very fortunate to have a variety of transportation options available to us. Unfortunately, Crap Happens Sadly, none of the transportation companies can control the weather ... and the ability of these boats and planes to operate safely is VERY dependent upon the whims of the Lake Superior weather. (There are also super rare times when there might be a mechanical issue that may need to be addressed). The staff of these transportation companies will not knowingly put their passengers at risk. They always try to err on the side of caution. That also means that there will occasionally be transportation delays--in order that passengers are kept safe. BACK-UP OPTIONS ARE LIMITED: If the Ranger III ferry (operated by the National Park Service) were to experience a mechanical issue that prevented it from sailing--it isn't as if the National Park Service has another boat (exactly like it) waiting in reserve to step in and take it's place on a moment's notice. The same is true with the private ferry services and the private seaplane company. They don't keep spare boats and spare seaplanes sitting around (unused and nearby) "just in case" they may one day need a spare one on short notice. Thus, on the VERY RARE instances when there are mechanical issues, there will be likely transportation delays until the repairs occur and/or until another plan can be implemented. Weather (or mechanical) delays MAY be just a few hours in duration. The delays may also be for a whole day (or--in extremely rare instances--the delays may be for MORE than one day). As a visitor to Isle Royale, it is important to know that TRANSPORTATION DELAYS CAN --AND DO--HAPPEN, Thus, it is important to be prepared for such delays and have appropriate plans ready. The Potential Implications of a Delay in Arriving Depending upon your level of preparedness for a potential transportation delay, a transportation delay might be .... 1) only a minor inconvenience, 2) a significant problem, or 3) a "disastrous" blow to your plans. I cringe when people share their trip itineraries--and I learn that they have allowed absolutely no "wiggle room" in their plan for any sort of potential transportation delay. This is especially true when they are planning to hike across the length of the entire island on a tight schedule. I will read things like: "The seaplane is going to drop us off at Windigo at 9:00 a.m. on Day # 1. That night we will camp at S. Lake Desor. Night # 2 we will stay at W. Chickenbone. Night # 3 will be spent at Daisy Farm Campground and we will hike to Rock Harbor and catch our 11:30 a.m. seaplane back to the mainland on Day # 4". (I will read similar itineraries with ferries -- instead of seaplanes-- listed as the mode of transportation). What if there is heavy fog on Day # 1...and the 9:00 a.m. seaplane arrival is delayed until 2:00 p.m.? What if the fog doesn't lift all day on Day # 1--and your seaplane can't get you to the Island until 11:00 a.m. on Day # 2? What if severe storms (with gale force winds)--delay your ferry all day on Day # 1 --or if the storms continue and delay your arrival for 2-3 days? How will these delays impact your itinerary? What is your "Plan B" (or Plan C, Plan D, and/or Plan E)--if there are delays in your arrival? Will a few hour delay in arrival completely erase your ability to reach your planned Night # 1 campground? Will an arrival delay (of an entire day) destroy your ability to reach your pick up point in time to meet your return transportation? (Would that transportation delay mean that you would now have to cancel your whole trip--because you can no longer reach your pick-up point on time?) Would a transportation delay mean that you now had to hike at a torturous pace--and cover horrendous daily distances--in order to reach your return transportation on time?) Whether you are hiking or paddling, it is important to have flexibility built into BOTH your schedule and your route. Ideally, I try to have one (or two) "extra" days in my schedule where nothing is planned. That way, if my arrival is delayed by a day (or if weather, injuries, or illness delay my pace on the Island) I have a bit of a cushion already built into the schedule to accomodate that delay. I also try to plan my route in such a way that I can either reduce--or expand--my route--depending upon what is happening. Example: If I am hiking across the Island, my PLAN may be to leave the Greenstone Ridge Trail at various points and visit places like McCargoe Cove, Malone Bay, or Chippewa Harbor overnight. HOWEVER, if I am behind "schedule"--I can always eliminate one (or all) of those detours from the itinerary and get on a direct route to my final destination. Conversely, if I am significantly ahead of "schedule", I can add another overnight destination to my itinerary or I can stay an extra night at some campground. I also try to plan only a "short" distance of hiking or paddling on Day # 1 (or I plan for no hiking or paddling on Day # 1) --in case I am delayed in my arrival on the Island by a few hours. Also, if I arrive on the Island early or on time, I can always hike farther than originally planned. Having flexibility in your schedule and flexibility in your route are both very important. SPECIAL NOTE: If you are delayed ON THE MAINLAND for one overnight (or two overnights) waiting to travel to Isle Royale--where will you stay? Do you have enough money for a hotel room if one is available? What if all hotel rooms in the area are booked? What will be your plan? Do you have camping gear with you--in the event that you wanted/needed to stay at a campground on the mainland in the event of a delay? Are you prepared to travel a long distance to find an available motel room? What If Your Return Transportation Is Delayed?I have been delayed in leaving the Island a few times as part of my own Isle Royale adventures. (I have also witnessed other people deal with departure delays). Some of the most difficult things to see are people who DID NOT plan for a possible delay in their return to the mainland. It is difficult witnessing how their lack of a plan created significant problems. Some people did not have enough food or fuel for an extra day or two. Occasionally, someone will have a boss who may fire them if they are late in getting back to work. I once saw a FATHER OF THE BRIDE (and his son who was part of the wedding party) stranded on the Island--and the wedding was scheduled for the next day (and their return transportation was delayed overnight). I once witnessed an adult grandson who was at risk of missing his grandmother's memorial service because of a delay in return transportation. These are very unfortunate (and avoidable) situations. It is important to not have anything significant planned for at least a day or two after your anticipated return to the mainland. Some of My Personal Experiences (That May Help You) 1. On the mainland, TRY TO BE REACHABLE BY PHONE during the day or two prior to your trip to the Island. SOMETIMES, a ferry or plane gets POSTPONED OR CANCELLED and they know this in advance. Thus, the transportation company may try to reach you to say your transportation is postponed. (Also, they may try to reach you to say that your departure time is being moved earlier in order to avoid things like an approaching storm). So, try to be reachable during the day or two prior to your trip. In 2020, the seaplane company called me at close to 8:00 p.m. on the night prior to my planned trip to Isle Royale. They were calling to say that my spot on a flight to the Island (the next day) was being cancelled due to a rare combination of weather and mechanical issues--that had caused a severe backlog of people needing to get to/from the Island. They moved me to a flight roughly 24 hours later. I was already away from home and traveling in the North Country when I received the call. Thus, this 24 hour flight delay meant that I had to find a place to stay on the night of my originally scheduled flight. I immediately got on the phone and booked a motel room for that night. 2. When you are on the Island, IF POSSIBLE, try to check in with the ranger station (welcome center) as soon as reasonably possible once you get to the place from where you will be leaving the Island. Also, constantly stay alert for any possible changes in the weather and transportation situation. THERE MAY BE INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSPORTATION DELAYS (OR TRANSPORTATION EARLY DEPARTURES) BEING POSTED AND/OR SHARED AT THE RANGER STATION (Welcome Center). In 2021, the Voyager II was going to be leaving Rock Harbor AN HOUR EARLY in order to avoid an approaching storm. If I had not checked in with the rangers (and simply arrived at the dock at the originally scheduled departure time) I would have missed my boat to the mainland by an hour. 3. Bring extra food and fuel. I always make sure that I have enough food and/or fuel to last me an additional 1-2 days. DO NOT COUNT ON THE STORES OR RESTAURANT HAVING ENOUGH FOOD. Remember, you will not be the only person who is "stranded". Multiple people will be using the restaurant and stores as a source of extra food. If departures from the Island are delayed by 2-3 days, the number of "stranded" people (who will also be looking for food and fuel) increases each day. Plus, if there is a big storm, the same boats that can't get you back to the mainland also cannot bring resupply for the stores and restaurant. Thus, come prepared with enough food and fuel to spend an extra day or two on the island. 4. BEING "STRANDED" ON THE ISLAND IS OFTENTIMES NOT FUN. People will often say that they would love to be stranded for an extra day or two on Isle Royale. I hate to tell you this, but the extra day or two is oftentimes not particularly "fun". A) Remember, you weren't expecting the extra day or two. Thus, you will already be at the pickup point. It's not like you will be out enjoying other places on the Island. B) If the delay is due to bad weather--you are stuck on Isle Royale --IN BAD WEATHER. It will not be a gorgeous, sunny, day for additional hiking, paddling, or sitting out in the sun. All boat, canoe, and kayak rentals will probably be prohibited due to the bad weather. The sightseeing boat ("The Sandy") probably won't be running in the Rock Harbor area. C) The rangers may want you to to stay close to the ranger station--in case there is any changing information to share regarding the evolving weather and transportation situation. Thus, the staff may not want you to be out hiking and exploring. D) The overcrowding may be at very unpleasant levels. DON'T FEAR THE DELAYS--SIMPLY BE PREPARED FOR THEM Delays in arriving at Isle Royale (or delays in departing Isle Royale) are usually pretty manageable--IF YOU HAVE ANTICIPATED THE POSSIBILITY OF DELAYS AND PLANNED APPROPRIATELY. Remember, you are coming to a wilderness island--with limited amenities--in the midst of Lake Superior. Weather (and in rare instances--mechanical issues) can greatly impact --and alter--your transportation situation. If you fail to plan for the possibility of delays--your trip may become very stressful and miserable. However, if you come to the Island fully-prepared for the possibility of transportation delays, you will likely do just fine. BE PREPARED! A LATER EDIT REGARDING "The Lodge & Cabins" After I posted this blog, people asked questions about what happens for accommodations for Lodge and cabin guests when people are "stranded" on the Island due to delays. So, I sent a question to the Isle Royale staff. Here is my question and a Ranger's response: MY QUESTION: On Facebook, a discussion got started regarding--what happens on those rare occasions when ferries or seaplanes are delayed for a day (or more) due to bad weather--where do the people (who HAD been staying at the Lodge or in cabins) stay overnight --now that their reservations have come to an end? There was an assumption that there would likely be vacancies at the Lodge (because large numbers of new guests would not be arriving --because the boats and planes were not running). However, what happens if there ARE more people needing Lodge rooms than there are Lodge rooms available? (I think it would be fair to say that most Lodge guests would not have brought camping gear with them and would have trouble staying outdoors). Thanks! RANGER KATIE'S RESPONSE: Hey Jon, Great question! As you all posited, when folks don't come in that generally means there are rooms available. Yet, what about in those cataclysmic instances that the stars align and there are more people who need rooms than are available? The answer is, we cross those bridges when we come to them. Isle Royale as an operating environment demands flexibility, which is exactly what we do when weird things happen. Our upmost concern is your safety and the park's, followed by having an enjoyable experience. When these occurrences happen, we address them in this order. Please let us know if you all have other questions. Thank you! Sincerely, Katie Keller Isle Royale National Park 800 E. Lakeshore Dr. Houghton, MI 49931 (906) 482-0984 isro_parkinfo@nps.gov SOME PHOTOS FROM ROBERT DUMAS ABOUT ROCK HARBOR DELAYS Robert Dumas took these photos at the Rock Harbor Welcome Center and Rock Harbor Marina in Summer 2022 (Robert works at the marina). The signs give you some idea of the type of information that the rangers post at the welcome center in Rock Harbor when there are delays. Robert also included some pictures of various vessels in the fog at Rock Harbor. NOTE: The Isle Royale Queen IV had a VERY rare mechanical issue that caused significant cancellations at the end of the 2022 season. Some of these photos pertain to that major event. CLICK THE PHOTOS TO EXPAND THEM. |
Author
Jon Prain ("The Isle Royale Guy") has made 18 trips to Isle Royale. He shares his insights and opinions in this blog. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed