Isle Royale - Remote, Wild and Magnificent

November 30, 2009

Monologue.

Sharon welcomed the listeners and talked about the importance of water in life and life in water. She said that it is imperative for everyone to realize the importance of water, to drink plenty of water and to carry water with them if they are unsure of a water source. Dehydration, or lack of water, is out of control in our world and causes or contributes to ailments from allergies to obesity.

Guest: Phyllis A. Green

Isle Royale - Remote, Wild and Magnificent

Phyllis A. Green (Houghton, MI), Superintendent, Isle Royale National Park. "Ecosystems and Activities in Isle Royale National Park, MI"

Isle Royale National Park, in the middle of Lake Superior, largest of the Great Lakes, was named by French fur trappers in the 1700's for the king of France. It is one of the most remote and least visited US National Parks, with only 18,000 visitors a year. The nearest city of any size is Duluth, MN. The park experiences brutal winters and is open from April through October. To get there, you have to take a boat from Copper Harbor, MI, or Grand Portage, MN.

Some of the rock on the island/archipelago are over a billion years old. The park is 99% wilderness and the main activities are hiking (165 miles of trails) and canoeing. There are two lodges, one at either end. The park covers 500,000 acres and has over 400 smaller islands in addition to the main island. The main island consists of a series of parallel lineal ridges, with valleys in between and numerous rock outcrops. Vegetation is mostly Canadian and upper Midwest forest (balsam fir plus beech and maple). The highest elevation is about 200 feet.

The park is known for its moose and wolf populations that keep each other in balance. The wolves walked across the ice to the island and the moose swam. Other large mammals, such as bears, and many smaller mammals, have not made it to the island.

Fishing is fantastic!

Website: www.nps.gov/isro.

Categories: Alternative medicines and therapies; health and wellness; 2009