We have embarked on the Lake Superior Circle Tour, a magnificent 1,300-mile scenic drive looping around the largest freshwater lake in the world.

It spans three U.S. states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) and one Canadian province (Ontario). We will not be completing the entire loop, missing out on crossing the border, but we will capture as much of the lake's history and views as we can.
Our first stop was at the village of Port Wing for its Saturday market.

It was full of interesting people and items to purchase.

Lunch, shopping, and exploring happened in one of the "The 23 Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023" named so by Conde Nast Traveler.
I love this description, "Bayfield is the perfect getaway for those looking to experience the magic of Lake Superior. Known as the Gateway to the Apostle Islands, there is no shortage of adventures. In 2023, Bayfield was voted among the 10 Best Coastal Small Towns and Best Midwestern Small Towns in 2023 by USA Today Top 10Best Readers' Choice. Bayfield is also Wisconsin’s Smallest City and the Berry Capital of Wisconsin. Underneath all the titles and accolades, Bayfield is a strikingly beautiful small city on the shores of Lake Superior. Plan your adventure and see what Bayfield and the Apostle Islands have in store for you."

Timing and weather prevented us from ferrying to the Islands. Instead we meadered, shopped, and dined, lakeside, at Hoop's a deservedly high rated fish place.
Grilled whitefish... drool-worthy.
How about some history? We're in the Chequamegon Bay area which had a long and colorful history well before the settlement of Bayfield. It is known that several different Native American peoples were here prior to European discovery.Early Bayfield was dependent on lake transportation to provide goods and passage to the outside. Boats stopped running in December or January when the Bay froze over ending service for months. When the railroad finally steamed into Bayfield in 1883, lumbering and fishing were already established. Brownstone quarrying and tourism were just beginning to gather strength. The population reached 500. Bayfield was becoming civilized, boasting schools, churches, lodges, hotels, and boarding houses. An impressive sandstone courthouse was constructed the same year to herald the booming quarry industry and the village’s passage into maturity. The beautiful buildings still stand, visual proof of this town's rich history.

Besides an incredible thrift store, there were THREE different places at which to purchase books. Wow.

A respite in nature was found on the Houghton Falls Trail. This 1.3 mile out and back trail allowed us to explore the 76 acre Houghton Falls Natural Area. The trail took us into the woods to the (now dry) falls and continued to the Lake Superior shoreline. Here we were offered views of the Apostle Islands and where we vowed to return one day.





We were mesmerized by Echo Dells, a series of water-carved rock cliffs and caves interspersed with small waterfalls (in Spring) and a forested footpath. The Dells supports dense stands of hemlock, yellow birch, and mountain maple common. The understory includes intermediate wood fern, common polypody fern, long beech fern, thimbleberry, wood sorrel, and small enchanter's nightshade... In case you were wondering!


This Reserve protects a picturesque pre-Cambrian sandstone gorge along the Lake Superior shore. The dramatic sandstone cliffs extend into the clear waters, affording views of the Apostle Islands. A stream meanders through the site cascading over the exposed sandstone before descending over 60 feet into a rippled sandy cove.
The site is also important in maintaining the unfragmented, undeveloped shoreline that supports many residents and migratory birds including the merlin, least flycatcher, veery, wood thrush, Canada warbler, and lucky for us, the bald eagle.

Our home for our last night in Minnesota was the wonderful Memorial Park Campground right on the lake outside of Washburn.
Camping on any lake is the perfect campsite. So far, so awesome!