Isle Royale National Park: Scenic Views, Gentle Hikes, and Yoga

Isle Royale National Park:
Scenic Views, Gentle Hikes, and Yoga

In the spirit of relaxation, we kick off today’s agenda with a poll: do you prefer to receive travel inspiration daily? Or once a week?

I’m sipping hot cocoa while planning my next trip to Isle Royale National Park. Each of us has our own favorite way to relax. Cocoa by the campfire is one of my favorites. Isle Royale offers an idyllic escape from the modern world, with its serene forests, calm waters, and absence of cars and crowds. Today’s agenda offers ways to reconnect with nature and calm our minds. For me, that includes campfires.
- Cris

Day 1: Watch the Wildlife and The Sunset

Find the Caribou

As you travel by ferry or seaplane to Isle Royale National Park, put ‘do not disturb’ on your phone, stretch your shoulders and breathe in that sea air. This is going to be a wonderful few days. After arriving on the island, go for a stroll along the Rock Harbor shoreline. Become familiar with the sounds of Lake Superior and notice all of the wildlife. Don’t see any animals? Put your phone away!

Watch the Sun Set

The number one regret of visitors to this park is that they didn’t schedule a two week trip. They only stayed for a few days. They didn’t want to leave. They they feel so healthy and relaxed on the island and wished they could stay longer. All evidence points to the healing properties of short walks. It’s how we clear our minds, loosen our muscles and drain the tension from our shoulders. Take a short hike before dinner to Scoville Point to watch the sunset. Dinner will taste even more delicious after that fresh air and beautiful sunset.

Day 2: Forest Bathing Experience

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing is a Japanese practice in which we reconnect with nature through our senses. It involves being calm and quiet in the forest, observing nature, and breathing deeply. Forest bathing can help with stress, boost the immune system, and improve creativity. It can also help you settle your mind and lower stress hormones. Try forest bathing by walking slowly along the Tobin Harbor Trail.

How to do it

Forest bathing can be done for as little as 10–15 minutes, or for longer periods of time. Here are some tips for forest bathing: 

• Turn off your phone or other devices. 

• Take a few deep breaths and center yourself. 

• Focus on what your senses are taking in. 

• Walk at an easy pace without a specific destination. 

• Pay attention to your surroundings, stay on marked trails, and wear appropriate gear. Sturdy shoes are a good idea so your focus doesn’t shift to a sprained ankle (ouch). The Merrell Moab 3 for men or women often get the best rating for comfort and traction.

Daily Chuckles

Whoa: How the? Is she missing a few joints?
Inspiration: I know who to send this one to!
Warrior Pose: Even animals do yoga

Day 3: Stretching and New Ideas

Morning Yoga By The Lake

Yoga, either gentle or intense, connects the body and mind. Seriously, some of those poses require quite a bit of concentration. It also stretches and loosens the muscles, reducing inflammation, and increasing blood flow. The next time that you meet someone who seems to need more blood flow to the brain, you can politely suggest “have you tried yoga?” Purists will suggest that you wake up before the sun rises in order to watch it happen while stretching. Since you are on vacation, it’s ok to have a cup of coffee and then stretch.

The Hidden Lake

Visit Hidden Lake for a quiet picnic or simply sit by the water to enjoy the silence.
This serene location is ideal for reflection, relaxation, and enjoying a packed lunch without interruption. Lots of people bring a journal with them to capture the ideas that spring to mind when gazing at the lake. Have you ever solved a really difficult problem while in the shower but forgot the solution by the time you finished? Hence the journal. Even if you don’t solve world hunger in your reflections, it can be nice to doodle and draw while relaxing. If lunch gave you a bit of energy, head to Lookout Louise for fantastic views and photos of Hidden Lake.

Day 4: Suzy’s Cave

The final day of the trip is when most people really regret not being able to stay longer. With 38 hiking trails, multiple day trips by boat, and hundred’s of scenic locations, it’s tough to decide how to spend the final day. We recommend taking an easy walk to Suzy’s Cave. This cave was formed when the waters of Lake Superior were much higher and the waves carved out this cave. You can still hear the waves today - but further away. You are looking at both the past and future while at the cave. I’m going to need a little time to reflect on that one.

Tomorrow, we will explore what to eat in order to fuel these wonderful days. We assume that you are on vacation, and so we will look for foods that you never need to tell anyone about. Blueberry pancakes smothered in butter seems like a good starting point.

See you tomorrow.

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