Don't Look Back

An Apostle Islands postcard

Many of my mornings in the islands are light-filled and joyous. But often they don’t start that way. To be far out into the islands in time for sunrise, usually means setting off in the dark.

It is not that I am not afraid of the dark, usually. But I will admit that there are times when a knot of fear twists in my chest: 3:00 am peering into the black heart of the not-yet-morning uncleating the lines of the Little Dipper at the dock. On those mornings, I sometimes have to remind myself that while there is value in looking back in life, the darkest moments are not that time. Sometimes, it is best to keep focused on what’s ahead.

So I swing northeast out of the Bayfield marina and towards the main group of the islands putting my bow right in line with the glow of whatever pre-dawn light there is gathering on the horizon. It isn’t much at this time of the morning, but, it is something. And usually it is enough, giving me a faint lifeline of light to follow up the channel until the frayed knot in my chest begins to loosen and my courage grows with the coming light.

I’d be foolish not to carry a little fear with me all those mornings, a recognition of the potential dangers, both physical and emotional, of being out on the largest lake in the world in such a small boat alone in the dark. A small dose of fear is a good thing, reminding me with a dark nudge to move slowly, think clearly, stay alert. And at least until the sun comes up again, don’t look back.

— Jeff Rennicke (all photography by the author unless otherwise noted)

These Apostle Islands postcards every Sunday are an offshoot of the “Little Dipper” blog. Paid subscribers to the blog also receive an original, full-length illustrated essay delivered right to their inbox every Wednesday. Subscribe. Come along for the ride aboard the “Little Dipper.”