Planning and Being Prepared!

Failure to plan and prepare could cause you to have a miserable Isle Royale trip.

I am frequently amazed by some people's complete lack of preparation for their Isle Royale trips. I will confess, I PERSONALLY OVER PLAN and OVER PREPARE for my trips. Thus, I certainly don't expect people to plan and prepare in the exact same ways that I plan and prepare.  However, some people's nearly total lack of advance preparation for their Isle Royale trips TOTALLY BLOWS MY MIND.  If these people had bothered to do just 15-60 minutes of research they could have avoided some big disappointments and huge heartaches regarding their trips. AND, if they had done SIGNIFICANT research and preparation--they could have even had OUTSTANDING Isle Royale trips.

Here are some (sadly) humorous (but true) examples of an extreme lack of preparation for Isle Royale trips:

• People who are unaware that Isle Royale is an ISLAND that can only be reached by boat or seaplane. I have encountered people in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan--and especially in the Minnesota North Shore -- who thought that they could drive to Isle Royale via a BRIDGE. (AND, they were planning to visit Isle Royale that very day or the next day.  One had driven from several states away--specifically to visit Isle Royale (via the non-existent bridge).  If these people had done even a little research--they would have known that no bridge exists.
  
  
• People who show up at the dock with their dog (or cat)--and plan to board a boat or plane to the Island with the animal.  Bringing pets to the island is absolutely prohibited--except in some rather strict and unique circumstances (involving actual SERVICE animals and NOT "support" animals) and only after lots of paperwork and exams have been completed in advance.  If people had done even a little research--they would have known this and not shown up at the dock with their pet.
  
  
• People who think that the ferries will transport cars, trucks, RVs, and campers to Isle Royale.  Wheeled vehicles, carts, RVs, and trailers are (for all practical purposes) forbidden on Isle Royale. Plus, the ferries are not those types of ferries (that will transport motor vehicles, trailers, and RVs).  There are now some very limited exceptions made for bicycles. (Click Here for more info about bicycles).  If people had done even a little research--they would know this stuff.
  
  
• I have encountered quite a few people who did not know (until AFTER they arrived on the Island) that all drinking water has to be filtered or boiled--except for water out of the faucets at Rock Harbor or Windigo.  (Click here for more information about drinking water).
  
  

There are many other examples that I could share--but I think you get the general idea .... become educated about Isle Royale and COME PREPARED FOR YOUR TRIP!

Here are a couple of links regarding planning and preparing for your trip.

• "Planning Your Trip"
• A bunch of helpful information in one blog post