Check out the new Ashland Wisconsin Photo Album.

One of Melanie's friends in Ashland told her an amazing story of a macabre shipwreck on Lake Superior near Ashland in 1886 where the sailors were found lashed to the ship's deck and frozen to death, less than a quarter mile from shore .  It was fascinating.  You can read about it at the Wisconsin Shipwreck website. 

I was very taken with the community of Ashland, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior.  Melanie dragged me along with her last Spring when she was applying for a job.  The lake was covered with ice when we retired the night before, but we awoke in the morning to the sound of waves slapping against the shore.  It was wonderful.  I come from land-locked southwestern Minnesota, so being near the big water is a treat.

I spent the day touring Ashland while Melanie was busy, and found the people there very engaging.  I visited the Black Cat Coffeehouse, the healthfood store, and the local library - which has a wonderful reading area.  One of my favorite experiences was eating at The Deepwater Grille & Southshore Brewery.

I can't explain why a shipwreck has a sense of romance in it for me.  Too many wench and pirate drugstore novels, maybe.  But whatever the reason, there is no doubt Lake Superior has a seductive personality.