Advice on Transportation

[kentcart]

My son and I have made it to the Island for the past 6 years straight, and next year looks like we are returning, YEAH!! However, I have a dilemna and could use some advice.

During our third trip, my wife and daughter both went to the island with us. While they both loved the island, my wife got very, very seasick on the trip over and vowed never to return. (in defense of the fine ship IR Queen, it was a very rough ride that morning). Now, since my son has talked up the trips so much, I have been volunteered to take my son, daughter, niece and nephew this August. My wife took pity on me, and said she would also go to help out. I would like her to have a superb experience, so I am looking at the different options to get to and from the island. My wife is looking at the Ranger, and her logic is since it is a bigger ship, it will handle better in rougher seas. While I am open to this option, I have found the campgrounds get crowded near RH around the pickup days, plus we would like to spend time on the West end of the island. Any opinions you have on this from those who have ridden both the Ranger and IR Queen would be appreciated.

I am also looking at possibly taking the Voyager/Wenonah from Minnesota to and from the Island. We have ridden in both boats before as water taxi's, and had great experiences both times. While this adds three hours of car riding, it may be an viable option. I see the boat ride is 2 1/2 hours, which is the shortest of the bunch, plus it puts us on the west end of the island, which we really like. Again, any opinions you have on the boat ride experience on these boats, motion sickness-wise, would be appreciated.



Happy holidays all!!

Kent

[philranger]

Have you tried Dramamine ? I used this on the way home from IR in 2007 on the Queen. I felt fine. The reality is you are at the mercy of the Lake. Of my 5 trips, 7 have been on the Voyageur, 1 on the Whenona and 2 on the Queen. I've been blessed with easy passage (knock on wood). You could also fly over, but this could be pricy. Getting to the island is the price we pay to spend time there. It's long from either side, but when you get there . . .

[Keweenaw]

If you have the bucks, the plane is wonderful and travels from the Houghton County Airport (about halfway between Houghton and Calumet) to either Windigo or Rock Harbor (you choice). http://www.royaleairservice.com

2009 Price List

Round Trip: $285 per person

One-Way: $190 per person

Inter-Island: $100 per person

[sgerbs]

My wife and I took the VII over during wavy conditions, and it was a rough ride. So rough in fact that they decided not to go to RH that day because the conditions were not good. I am a person who has gotten seasick in the past, so I took a dramamine before getting on the boat, and made sure to get a good seat. While the boat ride was rough, I did not get seasick on my way over. However, several cubscouts did get sick. The next day, we got back on the VII to get dropped off at McCargoe and the water was as calm as could be and the ride was perfect.

Since I knew I could get seasick, we decided to take the VII, since it was a shorter ride over all and it went to the west end of IR. Between the dramamine and a good seat, I had no problems.

[kentcart]

Thank you to those who responded. We are well acquainted with Dramamine, but for my wife it did not work very well unfortunately. On the trip this year, I took a bunch of boy scouts and their parents. One of the parents is a doc, and he suggested benedryl with the dramamine, as this makes you sleepy. That combo worked great, and is now in my bag of tricks. Nothing better than sleeping through the heavy waves!!

The plane would be a wonderful option, but my first stop upon arrival to IR would have to be at one of the mines to mint some coin Since the NPS would likely frown on that, I guess we are stuck with boats.

I have heard that the ride from the VII spends about 1 hour on the big water before its route takes it into channels, inlets and around island that may knock down the heavy waves. Is that true, or was I getting a fish story?

Anyone else have anything to share on this? I'm still not sure what to do.

[head2north]

Kent,

And remember, you also have to get home. And from Rock Harbor it is about 5 hours back to Windigo following the Open South Shore.

For my stomach seaworthiness, I pop several ginger root extract pills with a couple of
Vitamin B supplements. This really works well for me. And my mind trick is to close eyes
and pretend i am on a long, very long rollercoaster ride.

J

[greg]

I think much of the advice you have received is right on. If seasickness is a big issue then the Ranger is a very good bet. It is a much more substantial boat than the other three available choices. If driving up to Grand Portage is not an obstacle then either the Wenonah or the VII are reasonable options. I have used both of them many times and have not experienced any seasickness. The run over from MN to IR is only about 150 minutes with the last 30 or so being in Washington Harbor. The seaplane is a very good bet as it is only about a 30 minute flight but the cost is about double what a boat ride will be. The Queen is a great boat but even its latest version seems more prone to spawning seasickness than other craft. Greg R.

[johnhens]

I have taken all the ferries at various points, all in a good storm at some point. All the Captains do a good job at trying to minimize the effects of rough water. When you are in 4-6' seas any of the boats will roll. The Ranger does seem to feel the effects less but I can tell you in large quartering seas the Ranger rolls too. Minimize the effects by your drug of choice, my GF takes Dramamine (make sure you follow the directions ie, taking them the required time before leaving the dock so they can work).
Another important item is the meal you eat that AM, no greasy foods and limit your alchohol consumption the night before (better yet don't drink) as this will dehydrate you.

The Voyageur/Wenonah are both good options for the ride over as it is generally shorter.

[Tom]

If you're just trying to maximize your odds, I'd say book the Wenonah. Grand Portage is going to give you the 'short' route over the water. While the Wenonah is slower and takes a more tour-like path, she's a big steel beast. I've been on her during some pretty good waves and she seems to take them well.
The Voyageur II, while faster, is so because she's Aluminum and light. She'll roll more over the waves rather than plow through them.
Of course, it all comes down to the day of the trip, but I will say that Lake Superior is calm and smooth more often than she's riled with big waves. I've been on the VoyII in 4-5 foot crossing waves, and as long as you keep your eyes on the horizon, you're just fine. From what I recall from Capt Don, at 6 foot waves, she doesn't leave the dock... And I don't think there were many cancelled trips this year...If that gives you any idea.

[DonNewcomb]

You need to be aware that two completely different medications are sold under the brand name "Dramamine". Regular Dramamine is just dimenhydrinate which is similar to an over-the-counter antihistamine. The "Dramamine (Less Drowsy Formulation)" is meclizine, which is widely used in the Navy to prevent sea sickness and is generally very effective. You take one or two pills a few hours before you sail and it generally does the trick. If this is not enough slip her a Phenergan just before you get on the boat. Not too long before or you might have to carry her onboard. You will probably have to carry her off the boat anyway but she won't care.

[LeftOvers]

Thanks, DonNewcomb. That's very useful info about there being two types of Dramamine. I got the wrong type (but I should sleep well!).