June 22, 2011
North Shore Adventure!
June 19, 2011 - What a great weekend trip! We (Alice, Mary
Linda “ML”, Linda (ML’s Mom), Mary (ML’s Aunt) and Sky, the dog)
started out Sunday by driving up I-35 to Duluth, MN. It was
pretty uneventful trip except for the heavy fog in Duluth and we
temporary lost Mary Linda. We drove along the Old Hwy 61 along
the beautiful Lake Superior shore. Our first stop was at
Gooseberry Falls State Park just north of Two Harbors. What a
beautiful rest area! The weather didn’t really cooperate as it
was gray, cloud and misty. The waterfalls were very full and
rushing. We checked out the upper, middle and lower falls. We
walked all the way down to the bridge where you can see the
middle and lower falls. It was very beautiful! We saw a couple
deer walking across the river. What a site. Next we drove up
the shore drive to Split Rock Lighthouse. Again the weather was
not the best but we got to see the Lighthouse with the fog
surrounding it which was way cool. After that we drove up to
Silver Bay. We were going to camp but it was way too muddy, too
wet and too dang cold with the temp in the mid-40s! The hotel
was very nice and warm and dry. It was a good choice! After
getting Mary and Linda settled we went to Jimmy’s Pizza in
Silver Bay for some great pizza. Yum!
On our way to Grand Portage.
June 20,
2011 - The weather was
still pretty crappy but we pressed on north and first stop was
Tettegouche State Park. This is my favorite State Park. We did
one of my favorite hikes out to Shovel Point, the rock climbers’
paradise with the sheer rock cliffs over Lake Superior. The
view from there is amazing. I’m sad to report the natural
bridge is gone. It collapsed!! :’( So sad! But the view is
still amazing. Since we had a busy day decided to skip the
waterfall hike and continue up north. We stopped at Temperance
River State Park to check out the river rushing through the
gorge. Truly an amazing site. Next we stopped in Lutsen
Mountain Resort and rode the gondola up to the summit for some
breathtaking views of Lake Superior. We enjoyed a nice lunch
and then hiked around. Mary Linda was showing us Sky’s jumping
abilities. If you look at the pictures you will see a lot of
Mary Linda and Sky… Sky was flawless but then Mary Linda
tripped. Ha ha! Next on the drive was a stopped to Cascade
River State Park. A series of cascade waterfalls flow along
Cascade River. Again just amazing. Finally we drove up to
Grand Portage State Park on the Canadian Border. It is the
tallest waterfall in Minnesota. It was great! On our way back
to Grand Marais we stopped at the border store for some Aero
bars and Coffee Crisp…Canadian treats. Yum! We stayed at
another hotel in Grand Marais. A beautiful Best Western on the
Shores of Lake Superior. We had a huge suite with a balcony.
Very Nice!
The drive home.
Tuesday,
June 21, 2011- Pretty
uneventful drive home once we got started. We drove across the
big bridge in Duluth to Superior, WI so that they can say they
went to Wisconsin. We stopped at an A&W Rootbeer stand where we
enjoyed some Cheese Curds (which they have never had) and
Rootbeer floats. What are the two things every visitor to
Wisconsin must have is Cheese and Ice Cream. We took a scenic
drive to Jay Cooke State Park and then drove home. Except for
some rain it was a nice drive. All and all another great trip
up the Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.
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