Our Own Adventure Island

Running along trails in dense forest, building inuksuks on rocky beaches, watching the sun set on Clarity from what once was a party palace for a wealthy Chicago inventor, and cuddling up for campfires a stone’s throw from our bow.

Rock Island was a dream of a place that wasn’t even on our radar. Tied off in Sister Bay, we were planning to try for Washington Island, the island just north of the tip of mainland Door County. But Aaron happened to strike up a conversation with our friendly dock neighbors, who encouraged us to head for Rock instead. There was a tiny dock there, they said – big enough to hold three or four sailboats, and just enough depth for us. As we set course, we weren’t even sure we would be able to get in there.

As we approached the island in late afternoon and the boathouse started to come into view, I think Aaron and I already had a feeling that this was going to be an unforgettable adventure. We landed the boat without a problem, greeted by the hospitable ranger who got us settled. From that point on, we pinched ourselves regularly, reminding ourselves how lucky we were to have found this place.

The entirety of the island is a 912-acre state park. No cars are allowed. No bikes are allowed. The only way to access the island is by boat, either private or ferry, and the only thing they sell, other than a few trinkets, is a bundle of firewood for $8 (“must be artisinal wood,” as a fellow sailor joked one night around the campfire). Rustic campsites line the southern border of the island, and there’s no cell service.

The majestic Viking boathouse that greets all visitors is the only remaining building of wealthy Chicago investor Chester Thordarson’s party compound, built in the late 1920s. Claire and Aaron enjoyed a riveting game of chess in the grand ballroom.

And what more? I’ll let the pictures below speak for themselves. We spent two days here, and it wasn’t nearly enough.

The Rock Island boathouse and small dock

Clarity’s Parking Spot for the weekend

A harmless water snake greeted us upon arrival at the dock – and he and five or six of his friends stuck around all day until the sun went down

Wealthy inventor Chester Thordarson’s breathtaking party palace

Just a quiet game of chess…

Contemplating her next move

The history talk was very informative. I’m sure the other programs were great, too, but we were too busy exploring!

Quite the venue for paddleboarding

Rock Island is appropriately named – but Claire’s as happy here as she is on any sandy beach!

I inuksuk, do you inuksuk?!

Occasionally we are in photos together 🙂

Building a hearty campfire!

Sunset from the boathouse

Clarity at dusk

Gorgeous early morning fog

Taking to the trails!

Exploring the rock cliffs

I ventured a bit further out along the rocky walls and found a little box tucked into one of the cliffs. It was a geocache! Claire played with the toys for a bit, I wrote our names down in the log book, and then put it back just as I had found it.

Can you see the rock carving?

The tiniest bouquet of wildflowers

Claire’s Harbor: She and Aaron built it together while I took a long hike to the lighthouse.

I didn’t even have to hunt for these! 🙂

Pottawatomie Light, the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin. It was recently restored to roughly 1910 splendor and the tour is well worth the hike to get there!

I found this rock cave off to the side of the path leading from the lighthouse to rickety wooden stairs down to the beach. There were dozens on the island (though this was a more navigable one).