Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ice. At those times, ferry service is preciously light and reservations are necessary to cross
with an automobile.
You could theoretically paddle a sea kayak from Northport all the way to Washington
Island—and it has been done. The lunatic fringe aspect of that notwithstanding, it would be
the most breathtaking way to meet the Porte des Mortes head on. Obviously, you'd better
be a very good and experienced paddler.
GETTING AROUND
Driving on the island is easy. There's essentially no traffic. Remember that there are bikers
and pedestrians out there, so slow down.
If you've come over sans car, bikes and mopeds await you at the dock.
A few tours/shuttles depart from the ferry dock regularly, linking with the ferries from
Northport and Gills Rock. Lots of folks rave about the
Cherry Train
(920/847-2039,
www.cherrytraintours.com
,
$15),essentiallyaChevySuburbanpullingcarriages,whichof-
fers four tours daily.
HeadupMainRoadfromtheferrydockto
Bread & Water Bakery & Café
(1275Main
Rd.,920/847-2400),wheretheyhavegreatfoodandwhere,astheysay,“Kayakisspoken.”
Theislandhasgreatkayaking,andthisisyourplacetofindaguide,arental,orboth;there's
even a paddling museum here.
Less than a mile from Washington Island's Jackson Harbor as the crow flies is one
man's feudal estate-turned-overgrown state park. Getting to
Rock Island State Park
(920/
847-2235), the most isolated state park in Wisconsin's system, necessitates not one but two
ferry rides. When you get there, you've got a magnificent retreat: a small island, yes, but
withdelicioussolitude,icybutgorgeousbeaches,andtheloveliestskiesinWisconsin,stars
and sunrises-wise.
Native Americans lived in sporadic encampments along the island's south shore from
600 BC until the start of the 17th century. In approximately 1640, Potawatomi Indians mi-
grated here from Michigan; allied Ottaway, Petun, and Hurons fleeing extermination at the
hands of the Iroquois nations followed in the 1650s. The Potawatomi were visited in 1679
by Rene Robert Covelier, Sieur de la Salle, whose men built two houses, the remains of
whicharestillvisibleamidtheweed-chokedbramblesoffthebeach.Eventually,theFrench
and the Potawatomi returned, establishing a trading post that lasted until 1730. Until the
turn of the 20th century, the island was alternately a base camp for fishers and the site of
