August 13, 2005 Buffalo Bay Camp Red Cliff Res Wisconsin

August 13, 2005
Buffalo Bay Camp
Red Cliff Chippewa Reservation
Red Cliff, Wisconsin

Great little semi-modern camp on the shore of Lake Superior. It is run by the reservation and has all that one would expect from Reservation Life…. Yep the hot water is in the right knob position. It’s right on the lake and Henry just has to climb down a hill to swim. Our site is an isolated one, away from other rigs and we can not see anyone. Feels like we just pulled off on a dirt road and happened to find an electric hook up, fire pit and picnic table.

Excellent time here. Last night we won $100.00 at the casino so tonight we had a treat- dinner out at the Greunkes Inn. Heather dined on the local white fish boil and I had to go for the prime rib. Both quite good. Then a stroll down by the marina and good fun watching the local wedding photographer at work. Very reminiscent of Maine but no lobsters to be found anywhere!

Today was spent at the Apostle Islands National Park under the extremely helpful and watch full eyes of Volunteer Ranger Jeff Dickey. Jeff is another full time RV’er who has landed here for the summer working for the Parks Service. The Head Ranger at the Park was kind enough to have Jeff open the building for us and with Jeff in tow we spent a good part of the day exploring and photographing the Hokenson Brothers Fishery, which is part of the Apostle Islands Park. The three Hokenson Brothers operated a family owned commercial fishery at Little Sand Bay for over 30 years closing it in 60’s after the Sea lamprey invaded Lake Superior in the mid 50’s.

Made some strong images in Twine Shed as well as in The Herring Shed. The building have been left as the Brothers left them, many tools in place. It feels as if they are just having a shift change and at any moment they will return to begin work. Quite amazing to see the tools they used, many homemade, to cut ice and catch fish.

All the while Jeff was filling me in on the history and life that the Hokenson Brothers lived. They started out as dairy farmers but could not support three family that was so they move into fishing and dairy farming.

Enjoy staying in one place for more that a night and we hope to be doing it a good deal more.

Bufffalo Camp