There's a tradition in the Eilers' family. "Dad" Eilers (insert the individual's name for the generation you desire) works in an endeavor that would fall apart without him if he goes away for more than a day or two. When I was in high school, I swore I wouldn't work that way. At age 48 I realized that if I was going to break with that tradition, I darned well better get busy. So we planned our first true family vacation.

During early spring, 2001, I was listening to a co-worker discuss a trip he had taken with his family. It was then I realized I had followed the family "tradition" myself --- my kids were 20 and 16, and we'd never taken such a trip. We'd taken time away, of course, but time away had always been used to visit family. That's important, sure, but we'd never gone away just to see the sights in places we'd never been.

So, Sue and I started talking about getting away. I thought I'd like to see Kentucky and Tennessee. Sue remembered stories she'd heard in college about seeing moose on Isle Royale (an island National Park in Lake Superior). We agreed, that would be a cool trip.

Sue did a bunch of Internet homework and learned that there were two ways to see Isle Royale: backpack and live in the rough, or stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge, eat real meals, and hike as the mood strikes. We chose the latter.

It's a good thing we started our research early in the year. The lodge fills up, but transportation to the island itself is an even more limiting factor. Lodge Management would not accept our reservations until we had secured a way to get to Isle Royale. That was in early March. We asked their advise, found a ferry that could shuttle us, reserved (and paid in advance), and got our lodge accommodations made. We're told that we got them in with only about two weeks to spare; by April 1 the bookings are pretty well complete. (By the way, you can actually get there and back by seaplane....for a mere $250 per person.)

So, eventually our plan looked like this: travel to the most upper of the Michigan Upper Peninsula, ferry to Isle Royale, then visit with friends who have a summer home in the lower part of the U.P., then see Slt. St. Marie, down through lower Michigan, visit old Wisconsin neighbors who are now Indianans, then home.

We planned to leave on Sat., Aug 5, 2001 and we'd be home the following Sunday.

We enjoyed the trip more than I can express. I hope you also enjoy your visit to our cyber-travelogue.

Jim Eilers, Villa Park, IL

On to the U.P.

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This RingSurf Isle Royale National Park Net Ring
owned by a Backpacker and Isle Royale supporter.

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