I'll never forget the first time I brought my little boat to the Apostle Island's about 15 years ago. It's majestic beauty saturated my soul with a yearning to be here. In the beginning, I was simply drawn in by the little brown national Park sign that said “Apostle Island National Lakeshore” on U.S. 2 near Ashland WI. I wasn’t even aware of the beautiful sandstone cliffs and sea caves. Truthfully, I had never even put a boat in Lake superior before, so for that to be the first place was so fortunate for me. There was very little wind and everything just looked calm and peaceful. The only waves were from my boat as I cruised along the shoreline of the sandstone cliffs and caves. The water was so crystal clear that I could see huge boulders 20 feet down, alongside ripples of sand. We tried taking a swim, but a little swim it was, as the water was so cold we could not bear to be in it. I always found that maddening about Lake Superior. How beautiful the lake and beaches were but what a mean trick for the water to be so unbearably cold. Little did I know then that 15 years later I would obtain my captain's license and start a tour boat service. Taking people to the outer edges of the furthest islands if they so wish. To Escape into a boaters utopia of pristine beaches, sandstone cliffs and sea caves. To a history of hundreds of people living on the islands before the turn of the century. Come along with me as I explore the Apostle Islands and everything it has to offer. Join me on my boat, Into Wishin, look me up at Escape Excursions and start your own adventure.

Captain Shelly Holland