• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Wanderings
    • American Samoa
    • California
    • France
    • Kentucky
    • Kenya
    • Maine
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Wisconsin
  • Study
    • Nursing
    • Pre-med
    • Medicine
  • Photography Tips
  • Portfolio

A Wild Soul

Personal Blog

1 August 30, 2014 Michigan

Isle Royale: The Island

juliadesantis-isleroyale-34

So, after hiking 7.1 miles from Rock Harbor (where the ferry dropped us off) to Daisy Farms (I know I said 6 miles in my last post but then I looked it up and one of the maps says it is 7.1 while the other says it is less so… I’m going with the bigger number), Matt made a delicious dinner while I set up our tent and then we curled up and fell asleep. On our first morning, we slept in and by the time we woke up almost everyone in camp was gone. Instead of following suit, we headed to the dock and appreciated the quiet as the day got warmer.

Before leaving, we changed our itinerary to avoid an 11 mile hike because I thought it could quite possibly mean the end of our relationship. That sounds dramatic now, but I was sore and frustrated to even have to pick up my pack at all. We settled on an “easy” 7.2 mile hike to Lane Cove.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-35 juliadesantis-isleroyale-33

First, the Mount Ojibway Trail (1.7 miles) took us up to the Greenstone Ridge. Although 1.7 miles is nothing in terms of distance, it was a lot of up and down and then a lot of up. Everything was so, so beautiful, but I needed to stare at my feet the whole time so that I wouldn’t fall (I really didn’t want to fall with such a heavy pack). When we did stop to rest the mosquitos would always find us—even with our bug resistant clothes. So I cried somewhat uncontrollably for it all—the situation I had found myself in, the persistent bugs, and especially for the beauty that I felt like I was missing as a result of continuously staring at my feet.

Matt has photos of me looking pretty upset. I don’t think anyone needs to see those.

So after climbing to the top, we reached a look-out tower. Took another break. Ate some blueberries and thimbleberries that we collected around the tower.

No more tears.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-37 juliadesantis-isleroyale-38 juliadesantis-isleroyale-39

After leaving the look out tower we hiked along the Greenstone Ridge. Our lazy morning meant we were hiking during the heat of the day. If you are planning to do this hike—make SURE you bring a lot of water.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-40

Matt enjoying the view. I think that is Lane Cove in the distance. Doesn’t it look forever away?

juliadesantis-isleroyale-47

Protecting my face from the sun. I am too exhausted to care about the view.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-44 juliadesantis-isleroyale-46

The hike to Lane Cove was long and windy and there was one very steep descent. It was easier for me to run some of it than to walk. Occasionally there were planks set-up for us to navigate our way over wetter land.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-51 juliadesantis-isleroyale-50 juliadesantis-isleroyale-52

I wish I had more pictures of me in an upright position but, oh well.

We found a moose antler!

juliadesantis-isleroyale-49

Isle Royale is really known for its moose and wolf population. Moose swam across Lake Superior in the early 1900s and thrived on the island, totally free from any predators until a pair of wolves crossed the ice during a brutal winter in 1949. Now, all the wolves on the island can be traced back to one genetic ancestor and there isn’t enough genetic variability for them to survive. Scientists have a few options: (1) do nothing, (2) wait to see if this population dies out and then introduce a new wolf population, or (3) genetically rescue them by bringing some wolves to the island to mitigate inbreeding. Although I think it is still a contentious issue, for now they are doing nothing.

According to Wikipedia:

“The highest number of moose on Isle Royale since being researched with the interactions of wolves was 2,450 in 1995. The highest number of wolves ever recorded on the island was fifty in 1980. The most dramatic decrease in the wolf population occurred when the canine parvovirus was spread to the wolves on the island, introduced by a park visitor’s dog (breaking the rules of the national park) in 1980 or 1981, causing a crash in the population; there were fifty wolves in 1980, but only fourteen by 1982.”

Wow.

We didn’t see any wolves or moose while there. Moose are fairly common but the wolves usually hang out in the wilderness areas not frequented by humans.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-55 juliadesantis-isleroyale-57 juliadesantis-isleroyale-58

We made it to Lane Cove and ate some yummy, yummy pad thai that only involved pouring boiling water into a bag!

juliadesantis-isleroyale-56

At Lane Cove, most of the tent sites overlook the cove and are absolutely beautiful. We finished dinner and were in our tent before the sun had completely set so we could enjoy the last little bit of light protected from the bugs. Summer light at 930pm is the best.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-54

We wanted to take photos of the stars but the moon was practically full every night. Here is one from when the moon was just starting to come up:

juliadesantis-isleroyale-68

Getting ready for another day.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-60 juliadesantis-isleroyale-61 juliadesantis-isleroyale-59 juliadesantis-isleroyale-53 juliadesantis-isleroyale-36 juliadesantis-isleroyale-63 juliadesantis-isleroyale-41 juliadesantis-isleroyale-62

Just when I think the photos of me lying down are down… there is another one.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-42

From Lane Cove we headed back to Rock Harbor (read: showers and ice cream!).
And then spent the next morning exploring without our packs.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-65 juliadesantis-isleroyale-64 juliadesantis-isleroyale-72

Biggest rabbit (hare?)I’ve ever seen:

juliadesantis-isleroyale-66

We returned our itinerary and told the NPS of our changes. You don’t have to make reservations for campsites, but they do like to know your general plan before you set out so they have an idea of where people are located in case there is an emergency.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-69 juliadesantis-isleroyale-71 juliadesantis-isleroyale-67

Dreaming…

juliadesantis-isleroyale-74 juliadesantis-isleroyale-73

Wedrove through the night back to Detroit (and I saw a shooting star!). I dropped Matt off, took a nap, picked up my favorite chocolate ever from a local chocolatier, and then headed to Kentucky. We stopped and took this photo at the place where I went swimming on the way up. These photos are actually taken at 2am in the morning… but the moon was so bright it looks like day (and it’s a long exposure).

I had hopes of getting back in the water but was a little too cold to do so.

juliadesantis-isleroyale-75 juliadesantis-isleroyale-76

All in all it was an AMAZING trip. I survived (and Matt survived me).

I am so glad we went and would go back in a heartbeat.

It was unlike anywhere I have ever been. So remote and empty and quiet.

The few people we ran into were very nice.

Next time we go I am going to be in ship shape before the trip. I really need to do better at balancing studying with my health.

If you are even thinking about going. Go! I lived in Maine a stones throw from Acadia National Park for three years and in the weeks leading up to Isle Royale I looked at tons of photos online and kept thinking… it looks just like Maine… why make such a long trip when we could just go to Maine and see all our friends… but it is totally, totally worth it. It has a very different feeling than Maine.

Go to both. 🙂

1

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Tumblr
  • Email
  • More
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories: Michigan Tags: acadia national park, daisy farms, Isle Royale, lake michigan, lake superior, lane cove, look out tower, mount ojibway trail

« Isle Royale: Getting there
Dutel Wedding: the Garba and night before the wedding »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Footer

From earlier this summer when we tried to camp in From earlier this summer when we tried to camp in the back yard, but then the neighbor set off fireworks. 😁🥳🏕🎆
🌻🌻🌻 🌻🌻🌻
A few more 🥰 A few more 🥰
About to send a bunch of film off to get developed About to send a bunch of film off to get developed for the first time in years 🥳🤞. Cannot wait to see what comes back! The box will consist of photos I I have taken over the last 6 months so I am a little nervous to part with it. But I haven’t had time to develop myself (something I want to do whenever I have time again lol). These photos are some of my favorites — before the pandemic, medical school and motherhood.
One year ago. If you have any questions or concern One year ago. If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine please feel free to DM me anytime. We are all in this together. 🌎🌍🌏✨🌈🌿
Trying to study for my last big medical school exa Trying to study for my last big medical school exam — an exam that has an enormous impact on where we live next year and what I will do for the rest of my life — and the birds and the flowers and the light are so damn distracting. At least after being in school for 20 something years I can confidently say I study best outside where I can appreciate nature’s beauty in my peripheral vision (as opposed to being inside where I would surely just sit and daydream all day). ☺️
I keep meaning to get back on here and post again I keep meaning to get back on here and post again and today seems like a good day to start because I can brag about @mattmaiorana being the sweetest, gentlest dada a mama could ever want. Our darling little one just turned 3 and she says the funniest things including “dada are you sad? Why are you sad dada?” when he tries to brush her teeth. I guess his focused face worries her so he now brushes her teeth with a smile (last pic) — usually after a long day of work, a few hours of play and exploring outside, cooking dinner, and getting her cleaned up and ready for bed (all of which she resists with stern faces, pouts and giggles). Lol and after all that when she finallyyyy agrees to brushing her teeth, “don’t be sad” 😂👼🏻😂. This pandemic has been hard, but at least I’ve had the continual joy of watching these two love each other and play day in and day out and I go to bed most days eager to do it again 🥰
I will miss you sweet Banjo 💔😭 I will miss you sweet Banjo 💔😭
4 years ago and still so grateful ✨🌚🍃 4 years ago and still so grateful ✨🌚🍃
Happiest of birthdays to my Yanzi I am blessed To Happiest of birthdays to my Yanzi
I am blessed
To love you
To hold you 
To know you.
Your brilliant mind
and fiercely kind spirit. 

Thankful for all you give, all you are, all you do, all you dream.
for your musical laugh and wide smile
I want to climb inside and curl up and call home.

Last night, you danced
standing in a lake so great it’s an ocean, and 
I watched
from the clifftop above
as the sky painted its beauty around you.
I marveled 
at you at the water at the sky.

Someone nearby lit a floating lantern 
and the baby on my back said
more more more!!

 “the sand is thirsty” you said 
while laughing and peeing and 
effortlessly holding my gaze 

the earth is thirsty
for you, for us, for this
And she’s TWO!! I want to say it’s going way t And she’s TWO!! I want to say it’s going way too fast.  Every minute with her is magic! Also these last 3 years have been the longest years of my life 😅. But slow down sweet baby slow down. Little one loves watermelon and blueberries. She likes to ride around on her dada’s back, make bubbles in the bath, wash dishes, move furniture, collect rocks, and help build things. She packs up her backpack for adventures and will wear it while running all over the place, and if you chase her she gets so excited she collapses in a fit of laughter. She likes to sing and read from any piece of paper that has words on it “wa-wa-wa-wa.” She likes to snuggle in bed all night and does not want her own big kid bed. When we ask she points to the bed and says “no! Mama... Dada... and Baby!” She loves the dogs and likes to get in their beds and pretend she’s a dog too. She calls all crayons “lellow”, and has started saying “huh?” Her favorite books are my med school books, Goodnight Moon, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? Favorite movies are The Tale or Princess Kaguya, My Neighbor Totoro, and Moana. She still sleeps on me for most naps and nights, but at least she sleeps for 6 hours at a time most nights (finally!), but she always wants to stay up to play until 11pm or later. When it is finally time for bed, she manages to say “byeee.. byeeee... byeee” while blowing kisses and waving and crying all at the same time. 🌻
Happy, happy birthday sister 😘😍 Happy, happy birthday sister 😘😍
Kisses 😘 Kisses 😘
Reflecting on my immense love for this little one Reflecting on my immense love for this little one who made me a mother 🥰
I want to think again of dangerous and noble thing I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings. - Mary Oliver
More 🐮 More 🐮
🐮 🐮
Spring 🥳 Spring 🥳
“For every atom belonging to me as good Belongs “For every atom belonging to me as good Belongs to you. Remember?” - Marie Howe
Two more 🌬☃️ Two more 🌬☃️
Last few pics of winter! ❄️ Someone in my fami Last few pics of winter! ❄️ Someone in my family threw this pink wool onesie in the dryer 🤷‍♀️ so it will now only (maybe) fit a newborn... ahh... good thing spring is here!
This sweet baby loves to visit all the statues in This sweet baby loves to visit all the statues in the park. There’s a big horse and quite a few lions and we go say hi to them (and roar at them!) every chance we get. Today @ya.n.zi joined us and we played hide and seek among the trees and walked down to the lake and it was so, so wonderful and I didn’t take any pictures so instead I am sharing this one from a few weeks ago 😍.
More snow tomorrow 😍 More snow tomorrow 😍
This tree. This tree.
Matt and Isla in the snow ❄️ Matt and Isla in the snow ❄️
Her face every time she sees the ocean 😍 Her face every time she sees the ocean 😍
I spend way too much time on here passively consum I spend way too much time on here passively consuming other’s creativity and lives... so I am gonna try to force myself to post something every time I open Instagram 😂. Quick update from me (bc I also use this as my journal 😌). A lot has happened these last few weeks! I finished (and passed 🙏✨) all my exams for phase 1 and am now onto the next phase where I get to see patients everyday! We  moved to Milwaukee where I’ll be rotating through various clinics and hospitals for the next few years with my amazing TRIUMPH cohort (training in urban medicine and public health). I had two weeks off for the holidays and we visited family in Detroit and Florida. We were pretty sick for the whole two weeks (flu maybe idk!) and that put a bit of a damper on things, but it was still wonderful to get in some family time and sun. We returned to Milwaukee exhausted and still recovering from our illnesses, but I think now I can officially say I am better! Yay! Happy new year!! #medicalschool #womeninmedicine
Said I would get out and challenge myself w my cam Said I would get out and challenge myself w my camera and share more photos here and then promptly disappeared! Sorry about that! I will be using (friends only) instastories for most phone pics and then using my wall for more intentional photography. First snow of the year.. Isla was wary! — October 29, 2019
“November’s a burn and an ache.” - Charles W “November’s a burn and an ache.” - Charles Wright
☃️ ☃️
Follow on Instagram

Copyright© 2022 · All Materials by Julia DeSantis

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.