Anyone been to this light? I have poked around online and found little information about what I want to know - times and cost of ferry from Washington Island, distance from dock to light on Rock Island, path conditions (could I take a stroller?) and if it will be open in September on Fridays. Any input greatly appreciated!

Jen, contact Jim Johnston at: keeperjj@aol.com
He is our resident expert on Potawatamie and can tell you chapter and verse about the island. He uses his own zodiac type boat to go back and forth, but it's sounds pretty rough on the island. I don't think that it's stroller territory.

Thanks for the quick reply! I just sent an email off. Hopefully will be able to get some more input.

I have been to Rock Island several times. A stroller would be pretty difficult on the 1.5 mile hike to Pottawatomie. There are times that you have to climb hills with rocks. Most of the time the path is a rough dirt road. There are roots in the road and other obstacles. The path to the lighthouse is mostly uphill, but there are numerous times that it goes downhill on the way uphill to the lighthouse on the bluff. So, if you take a stroller that is good in dirt, you still may need to carry it at times.

No vehicles, including bikes are allowed on the island. They do allow carts to tote camping gear. I am not sure whether strollers fall under the definition of vehicle or cart.

Right now Pottawatomie is not open for tours. It is being prepared for a grand opening hopefully May 2004. You can still hike to the lighthouse and take photos.

Rock Island FAQs
http://uniontel.net/~cmarlspc/Faq/

Washington Island Ferry Schedule:
http://www.wisferry.com/schedule03.htm

Karfi Ferry to Rock Island
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/placestogo/northernwisconsin_doorcounty.htm
http://www.jacksonharborinn.com/Karfi.htm

Friends of Rock Island (FORI)
http://lombardi.wctc.net/~cmarlspc/

Suzanne Murphy

Hi Suzanne,

Thank you SO MUCH for those helpful links. I had actually found the site for FORI. The Karfi info was great. And the description of the road sounds like the hike to Au Sable up in Michigan's UP. I think we are going to try and leave the munchkin with my in-laws for a few hours...tee-hee...