May 30, 2019
The Apostle Islands has some of the best sailing in the world because of its reliable winds and great spots to anchor and enjoy the wilderness. On this episode of Bayfield County Wild, Director of Tourism Mary Motiff talks about the things people can see sailing around the Apostle Islands and the many ways you can charter a sailing adventure of your own, regardless of your experience. Then, she and Co-host Nancy Christopher chat with Tim Landgreen, owner of Northern Pines, about how his family turned their family farm into a beautiful golf course and event center in Iron River.
Sailing the Apostle Islands
The Apostle Islands originally got its name because it was believed there were only 12 islands, just like the 12 apostles. It was later discovered there were actually 22 different islands to protect ships from the temperamental waters of the inland sea. While some of the islands have been inhabited by humans, a group of the islands have been designated as the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area. Left untouched for decades, Mary says you can find interesting relics left by the former inhabitants, in addition to lush forest, spectacular Brownstone cliffs and sea caves carved by centuries of crashing waves.
After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, new materials were needed that were fire-resistant to rebuild the Windy City. Brownstone was quarried from the Apostle Islands and shipped to Chicago to rebuild, where these beautiful buildings still stand today. You’ll also see brownstone buildings from this area in other cities such as Milwaukee and even in New York.
Another feature of the Apostle Island is its many lighthouses. Guided tours are offered on 4 of the islands including Raspberry Island and Michigan Island, where you can climb to the top and take in the panoramic views. (Note: there are specific times of the year that you can do this, so plan ahead so you’re not disappointed).
According to Mary, there are many ways to experience sailing on these islands. A number of businesses offer small sailboat charters for one or two people for either a short sail in the morning, afternoon or at sunset or a longer, overnight trip. Most of the sailboats can typically take six people.
Superior Charters lets you skipper your own boat if you have the experience or you can hire a captain to take your group out. There are about 30 to 35 different boats to choose from. They also offer “learn to sail” vacations, advanced sailing courses and executive retreats for companies that would like to have a unique team-building exercise for its employees. Regardless of your level of sailing experience, there are group, multi-day and multi-boat flotillas that can be chartered.
There’s also an organization called Lake Superior Tall Ships that will take you out on a “pirate ship” type vessel that lets you help raise the sails, steer the wheel or just relax and enjoy the ride. To learn more about these sailing adventures, visit www.bayfield.org and use the search bar to look up sailing, or you can go to www.travelbayfieldcounty.com and look at the business directory for sailing under the “activities and adventures” category.
Hitting the Links at Northern Pines
Tim Landgreen has put a lot of sweat equity into the farm his family has owned for more than 130 years. On 300 acres of farmland, Tim and his wife had an “aha” moment 20 years ago and decided to use half of that acreage to build a golf course and event center called Northern Pines. According to Tim, the family started with a driving range in 1998. They spent the next three years building a golf course, added a rustic 40 x 80-ft. clubhouse in 2005 and completed a 40 x 60-ft. event center for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions in 2011.
According to Tim, Northern Pines is an extra-wide, Par 36 golf course about 3,200-ft.-long. There are lots of elevation changes, good dog legs with a tree-lined front nine and a link-style course with open fields on the back nine. The last hole features a 60- to 80-ft. elevation leading to a green at the top of the hill which happens to be near the clubhouse where you can take a break.
Tim and his family organize many events throughout the year. A beautiful pergola was added recently, which is perfect for wedding ceremonies. For the second year, Northern Pines will host a sled dog race with a $4,000 purse on Feb. 15, 2020. The 16-mile course will accommodate 50 dog teams. Photos of last year’s successful event can be found on www.northernpinessdr.com, http://northernpineseventcenter.com and http://northernpinesgolf.com/. Organizers are still looking for sponsors, so if interested, contact Geri at the Iron River Area Chamber of Commerce https://visitironriver.com/contact-us/
June Activities
May 31 - June 1: Rumble on the Lake Motorcycle Fund-raising Ride
June 1 – 9: Bayfield in Bloom
June 1 – 7: Eat. Drink. Washburn
June 1: Kids Fishing Day at the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center
June 8: 9th Annual Spider Lake Run in Iron River
June 8: Dandelion Days in Washburn
June 15: Washburn Citywide Garage Sale
June 22: Superior Vistas Bike Tour
June 22: Maker’s Faire at White Winter Winery
June 1 – 30 Bayfield County Farmers Markets
View the full schedule of events on our website and Facebook page.
June Preview
Marvin Defoe joins us to talk about the 41st Annual Red Cliff Pow Wow, featuring the Grammy-nominated Young Spirit Singers.
Affiliate Notes
Fo’c’sle Inn
The Fo’c'sle Inn is the place on a boat where the crew eats and sleeps. It’s also an exceptional inn located on the south shore of Lake Superior just minutes from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The rooms have their own private entrance from a second-floor deck right on the water’s edge in Siskiwit Bay. Breakfast is delivered to your room to enjoy privately. Browse the beachside gift shops and stroll the sandy beach at sunset.
Since 1973, Benoit Cheese Haus has been Bayfield’s premiere source for local Wisconsin cheeses and delicacies. Come in to sample some of Wisconsin’s award-winning cheeses and then stay for a while to explore the area. June is Dairy Month!