When you’re among Friends, visiting one of the Apostle Islands becomes even more meaningful. Dozens of supporters of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boarded the Superior Princess on a breezy, sunny August day. During the annual Friends cruise, they enjoyed good food, good company and the unmatched beauty of islands. They heard an update on the Meyers Beach accessible path project, the largest Friends initiative to date. And they also received an invitation to continue their support. Not only for today, but for future generations.

Welcome Aboard! Click to enlarge photos

Guests enjoyed great food and drink on board – Jon Okerstrom photo

Delicious smoked fish and spread, courtesy of Bodin Fisheries – Jon Okerstrom photo

Kicking off the program on Stockton Island, Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke said, “It’s not only the folks who are here today that we work for, it’s trying to look into the future. Our National Parks belong to everyone. We should help (future visitors) experience some of the same things that we have had the privilege to do.” Rennicke invited the group to “roll up your sleeves, help us take care of the place that you love.”

Jeff Rennicke talks to the crowd at Stockton Island Amphitheater – Mark Weller photo

The ampitheater is conneced by boardwalk to accessible campsites. Accessible campsites are also available on Sand Island, where construction of a boardwalk is ongoing. Rennicke said, “It’s a great effort to try to make areas more accessible to people, and there’s many other projects going on in the park that are focused on visitors today, but also on visitors in the future and letting other people explore this safely.”

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Bri Weldon said construction of the accessible path at Meyers Beach is happening now. Construction crews are building a new set of concrete stairs with kayak slides. The project also includes construction of a concrete path that zig-zags down the hill at a 3% grade.

“Being out there every day at Meyers Beach and seeing the work progress, and hearing the visitors say ‘I cannot wait till I don’t have to walk up the stairs’ or ‘I can’t wait for this to be easier.’ Or, ‘I can’t wait to just get down there because I’ve never been able to, that’s why we’re doing it and I’m so glad to be a part of something so much larger than than myself and than each of us.”

Weldon said it’s good timing that she is here now and can tap her expertise as a landscape architect and background in construction with all of the construction projects happening in the park.

She said her interest in creating access and enabling more people to experience special places like the Apostle Islands is what drives her. “And that’s why I became a landscape architect, because I grew up in South LA without green spaces and I wanted to make sure that people had access to their parks. So I think there’s a really wonderful synergy between the leadership from (former Superintent) Lynne (Dominy) and Jeff to create more accessible projects here and me as this is why I chose this discipline and why I chose this job to continue the work.” Weldon thanked the the audience for their continued support and said the Park Service continues to welcome ideas on how to make the park more accessible for everyone.

Outgoing board member Karen Graff and Executive Director Jeff Rennicke – Mark Weller photo

Following the program, the group hiked the .4 mile long Julian Bay trail from the Presque Isle side of the island to enjoy the singing sands and the view of Julian Bay Beach. They capped off the evening with a hike back to the boat and the sunset cruise back to Bayfield.

Finding the perfect rock to take a seat and enjoy the scenery – Jon Okerstrom photo

Phil and Jen Bratsch of Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider – Karen Graff photo

Friends supporters watch the sun set from the upper deck of the Superior Princess – Jon Okerstrom photo

The Superior Princess approaches Bayfield harbor at the end of the cruise – Jon Okerstrom photo

We want to thank everyone who joined us for the 2026 annual cruise, cruise sponsor Wickcraft Boardwalks, Flaunting Flora and Bodin Fisheries. We hope you enjoyed yourself and are looking forward to another great year of supporting the Lakeshore We Love, and to next year’s cruise.

Enjoy the slide show. Click to enlarge. 

Written by Jon Okerstrom. Jon is a Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore board member and digital and social media volunteer with a background in digital and television journalism, photography and graphic design.