Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights and Recreation
Northland College
(715/682-1233,
www.northland.edu
) along Ellis Avenue (WIS 13)
southofdowntownis,giventhename,ensconcedintheNorthWoods,aprimaryinspiration
for its eco-minded course work. Locals refer to the school's students as tree huggers—a
term of endearment. Case in point: The
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
(8am-4pm
Mon.-Fri.whenschoolisinsession)ishere,athink-tankandeducational center(withgreat
nature photography and other exhibits) for environmental studies, named in honor of the
pioneering ecologist who was born and raised in the Ashland area.
Along U.S. 2 East in Ashland off Bay View Park is
Tern Island,
an island producing
two-thirds of the common terns in the Lake Superior region. Jutting into the waters from
the park is a reconstructed section of the
Ashland Pier,
one of the five ore docks built in
the 19th century. This, incidentally, is a sore spot for locals. These leviathan docks, once a
proud mainstay of local tourism, have decayed and are being dismantled. Local groups are
tryingtopreservethebasesandseveralhundredfeetofthetopsinordertocreateamuseum
or other lasting legacy. As of 2013, things didn't look good, so they may be completely
gone when you visit.
Ashland's
parks
spread along the lip ofthe lake. Most contain absolutely frigid-looking
beaches and great picnicking. Maslowski Beach on the west side offers the best views, ar-
guablythebestsandstretches,andabubblingartesianspring.WestoftownoffTurnerRoad
you'll find Prentice Park, connecting with Superior via the
Tri-County Recreation Trail,
a 60-mile biking, hiking, and snowmobile trail that spins through Fish Creek Slough. There
aremoreartesianwellsherefortheparched(ifyou'reintoartesianwells,theAshlandWater
Utility oversees one of the largest in North America).
Ashland and Iron Counties boast one of the highest concentrations of
waterfalls
in the
state. Almost two dozen are within a quick drive of Ashland; Potato River Falls is espe-
cially worth seeing.
Accommodations
Just drive along U.S. 2 and you'll drive by a half-dozen very clean and very good motels
for around $50 in high season—best is
Crest Motel
(115 Sanborn Ave., 800/657-1329,
$65). For a few bucks more, the
Rock River Inn & Bait Shop
(1200 Lake Shore Dr., 715/
682-3232,
www.riverrockinn.net
,
from $89) has to have one of the nicest staffs in the state.
The former grand dame
Hotel Chequamegon
(101 U.S. 2 W, 715/682-9095,
www.hotelc.com
,
$135-175) was rebuilt after a 1950s fire, but you'd swear this remake is
the original. You'll find rooms of various incarnations, all appointed in period detail.
