At Seagull Bay, Isaac and I (Mollie) love welcoming guests who truly connect with our slice of paradise. For them, a Bayfield, Wisconsin getaway isn’t just about seeing all the sights. It’s about slowing down, immersing themselves in nature, and being present with one another. 

It’s something I strive to do. But all too often I’m moving too fast, crossing things off my to-do list, and trying to keep the boys’ practice schedules straight inside my head.

But guests like Bill and Genevieve remind Isaac and me why we moved back to Bayfield in the first place. They encourage us to take a moment, pause, and connect—with nature, with the water, and with one another.

In this blog, I’m taking a detour from my usual format and sharing a conversation one of our team members had with this wonderful couple. Instead of sharing the things I think you should do when you visit Bayfield, I’m letting Bill and Genevieve tell you what they enjoy and why they keep coming back. Maybe it’ll spark an idea or two when you plan your next trip to Seagull Bay.

Reconnect With Each Other During Your Bayfield, Wisconsin Getaway

Bill and Genevieve have been coming to Seagull Bay for eight years, ever since Isaac and I took over the place. At the time, they lived in Hayward and without a plan, decided to hop in the car and drive North to see what they could find.

They were looking for a break in their routine, but they also wanted to find a peaceful place to reconnect with each other. What they’ve found during that first trip has been “filling their cups” ever since.

For Bill and Genevieve, and most of our guests, Lake Superior is the main attraction. 

“From the moment I walk through the door to our room and see the lake through the window, it feels like home,” Genevieve says.

Bill said, “We come here for the peace and quiet.” They’ve discovered they like to visit during the shoulder seasons (September or October) and in the middle of the week when things are less crowded. 

Bill and Genevieve come to slow down, sit on the shared balcony overlooking Lake Superior, and bond with one another. “If you listen closely, you can hear the water lapping on the shore,” Bill added. It’s simple pleasures like this that draw them back year after year. 

But it’s not just the surroundings at Seagull Bay that they enjoy, it’s the people they meet and the places they visit.

Meet New People and Feel Like Family When You Visit Bayfield

The connections Bill and Genevieve make with people at Seagull Bay and Bayfield stand out. 

“People talk to you here. They talk to you like they’ve known you forever,” Genevieve explained. 

She and Bill said they enjoy chatting with neighboring rooms, and this kind of friendly interaction makes their stay even better. 

When they come here, they don’t feel like a number or a business. They’re “treated like family.” Genevieve also shared, “I feel like a queen when I’m here. I can kick back and relax and don’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning.”

But it’s not just at Seagull Bay that they’ve found this kind of hospitality. They experience it when visiting the family-owned orchards, during the Apostle Islands Cruises or sailboat tours, and walking along one of Bayfield’s many hiking trails. 

Bill and Genevieve’s Favorite Things to Do in Bayfield, Wisconsin 

Nature is a big part of why Bill and Genevieve come to Seagull Bay. They enjoy walking along the Brownstone Trail, listening to the birds, stopping to look at the native plants, and spotting wildlife. They like to explore on foot whenever they can, soaking in the scenery and avoiding the car. “It takes you away from the tires on the pavement,” Bill said. 

Another activity they recommend is taking the 55-mile Apostle Islands Cruise’s Grand Tour. Genevieve says, “You can’t tell what it’s like, you have to experience it.” They love listening to the narrated tour sharing the history of Bayfield and Apostle Islands, and seeing the historic lighthouses. And in the fall, the colored leaves appear so much brighter against the blue water.

Visiting local orchards is another highlight for them. They love driving around the fruit loop and visiting every one of them. “There’s something special at each one. Apple cider doughnuts, jams, apples, and blueberries.”

Bill and Genevieve like to pick blueberries (if they’re still in season) and buy extras to put in their freezer back home. They also make a point to stock up on a year’s supply of fresh fish from Hoop’s Fish Market. For them, this ends up being about 13-15 filets of fish.

Bill sums it up like this, “If you’re into nature, you’re going to enjoy the great Northwoods of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands.” 

Seagull Bay: Your Place to Connect During Your Bayfield, Wisconsin Getaway

This conversation with Bill and Genevieve was delightful to hear. It’s a great reminder that Seagull Bay is more than just a place to stay. It’s a place of connection–with the people you love and the beauty surrounding the place we call home. 

In our fast-paced world, Seagull Bay is a place where relationships can grow and memories are made. We’re grateful to have Bill and Genevieve as part of our Seagull Bay family and look forward to welcoming them back again.

As they soaked in the fall colors and the views of Lake Superior during their week-long stay, Bill and Genevieve reminded me of the importance of disconnecting from the everyday hustle—if only for a moment. 

I hope their story encourages you to leave your phones and TVs behind during your Bayfield vacation and focus on simple pleasures like reading by the lake, listening to the waves, and enjoying each other’s company. After all, they’ve been married for 54 years.

Book a room and start planning your peace-filled Bayfield, Wisconsin getaway now.

Enjoy the View!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks

QUICK LINKS:
Apostle Islands Cruises

Photography