Late fall trip up the North shore.

The leaves went fast this year but there was still some color to be seen in areas. The weather has been fantastic this fall with warmer then average temperatures and clear skies. Perfect for touring around the North land. And after a nice meal you watch the twilight at Grand Marais harbor and go make a fire in a historic cabin. You can stay in one of the newer condo resorts with all the extras but it won't give you that real feeling of the North shore. The cabin was built in 1922 and has been restored very nicely. It should last for years to come. As you can see the stream that runs past the cabin was almost dry. The Arrowhead region has a drought. Perhaps they will get some heavy snows this winter that will also keep the cross country trails open

and Lutsen Ski Resort busy. Grand Marais is a wonderful small town with about anything you could want. Plenty of good places to eat,shop and be entertained.

Boundary Waters

While enjoying fall colors in the Boundary Waters a fox came right at the car. He had apparently done this all summer to tourists and knew he would get a treat. He had next to no fear at all.

He got a nice pretzel that was honey flavored which I'm sure was a real enjoyment to him. What could be better? I have no idea what a mouse or rodent tastes like? But he really likes the handouts better judging by the way he rushed the car.

Bear Season

The big picture.....

I’m not sure what it is about a place that resonates within a person.
The big lake that reminds us that everything is small in comparison. The Saw tooth mountain ridge with views and hawks flying south in the fall. The endless scenery on the drive north to Canada. Being around like minded people that seem to think correctly in a ever changing crazy world. The awareness of the seasons and weather that you don’t get in a city setting. The timeless feeling that a wild area gives you when you understand your only here for a tiny period of time and that rock your standing on is millions of years old basalt. I’m sure it’s a combination of everything stated above. Our daily concerns are really nothing. The big upset at work or home is nothing but a minor hiccup in time. Get in the car and drive up the North shore and see the colors and feel the crisp clean air. Yes I’m more then ready for a drive to the border and back this coming week. Photos are provided thankfully by the local live cams which provide wonderful views while your at the desk doing the daily grind on the computer.

Fall Color time is the best!

Where are the colors? There are many web sites telling of the color at a percentage and will peak at this date or that date. But want to know right now where the colors are??? Look to the NOAA Satellite shot of the Lake Superior Region. Nothing is more COOL then a shot of the earth from space and what is more COOL then Lake Superior. Next week I'm off to the North Shore of Minnesota and excited about it. Colors look to be peaking on the ridges but will be changing soon along the lake shore. There is not much better then a cruise up HWY 61 in cool weather with colorful leaves on one side of the road and Lake Superior on the other side. I'm thankful to be able to do it and have the time. The car is serviced with a new set of radials, I'm ready to go.

Copper Harbor Michigan

Had a wonderful September week in Copper Harbor Michigan. The weather was wonderful after a gale just before our arrival. The power had been out for 36 hours which was a real problem for local restaurants. We had one windy night and then very great weather. You could see all the way from the Keweenaw to the Minnesota North shore from Brockway Mountain Drive. On the way down I took this shot of the Village of Copper Harbor. We hit each restaurant and each shop.Visited Fort Wilkins State Park and the Lighthouse. We did our part to keep the economy of the U.P going forward. I was proud to buy some souvenirs and some great books at the local shops. I took hundreds of photos and will post them in the coming months. But first its off to the North Shore of Minnesota again for the fall colors. Again taking more photos for posting this winter on the Blog.

The fall to come

There is alot of talk about that it could be a outstanding fall for color this year. The leaves are beginning to change already but it's awhile before peak. Moisture and other conditions are factors to the good leaf color. I make my best guess and hope we hit the peak on our planned trip up the North Shore of Minnesota. Then you hope for a cool crisp sunny Autumn day. Click on the link below for the fall color report.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html

Make a run for the border............

Not to Taco Bell for dinner, how about running to Grand Portage for the Grand Opening of the new Visitor Center! And of course High Falls and wonderful fall colors.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/park_details.html?parkid=SPK00173

Lovers of Duluth already know this fact!

One of the best places in the Northland in my opinion!

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/real_estate/1009/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/23.html

Big Holiday in the Keweenaw

It's off to the Keweenaw of the U.P of Michigan for a great holiday. You will never run out of things to do in the U.P. There are mines to explore, lighthouses and historic lodges. The list goes on and on. The top picture is the famous Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, the second picture is Brockway Mountain Drive and the last picture is Houghton Michigan home of Michigan Tech. I'll be snapping alot of digital pictures in the next 10 days.

The Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay Ont.

On the other side of Thunder Bay Ont. is the Sibley Peninsula and the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. The profile of the peninsula looks like a sleeping giant. The legend of Nanabijou tells the tale.

http://www.visitthunderbay.com/sleeping_giant/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Giant_Provincial_Park

Kakabeka Falls ONT

Kakabeka Falls just west of Thunder Bay Ont. on highway 11/17 20km.

One of the largest falls in Ontario with the exception of course Niagara falls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakabeka_Falls

Crossing into Canada toward Thunder Bay Ont.

Just over the border about 30 minutes you come to the river the locals refer to as the KAM.

The reason they call it the KAM is pretty obvious when you see the entire name of the river.This young traveler made the proper face when trying to figure out just how you pronounce this river.

What is that??

That is a old postcard of the entrance of the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais Minnesota. The road has changed in recent times, now blacktopped and a lessor grade to the East of town. A truck a few years ago came down the hill and hit a building on the harbor owned by the Folk School. So changes on the trail will prevent that from happening again. It's still a very interesting drive about 60 miles to Gunflint Lake.

Bear Tree Park Grand Marais Mn.

The warm humid air this evening is hitting that cool cool lake resulting in fog and a nice setting at Bear Tree park on the harbor. Thankfully to date they haven't added more slips and docks in the harbor as once discussed by the DNR. I have no idea what the status of that is currently. Hopefully it was put aside or defeated. I like the waterfront just as it is and they have updated the park nicely in recent years.

Cooler by the lake?

Here is what the beach looks like in a real picture.......

Tomorrow in Duluth the forecast is to be 83 degrees and 70% humidity. Pretty toasty for Duluth Minnesota even in August. Enjoy it while you can, fall is around the corner. This old postcard was advertising the nice cool breezes of Park Point beach. I don't recall seeing that many people on the beach as shown in the postcard but it would be entertaining if that many folks showed up tomorrow on the hot day.

More Grand Marais tidbits

Since we are on the subject of Grand Marais this week I found this postcard of the hill right before you drive into town. Back when Grandpa and Grandma took their big North Shore trip in 1939 this is how it looked. Yes that is a dirt and gravel road. Imagine pounding up the North shore in a Model A car for 150 miles to Canada? No air conditioning, leather seats and Satellite Radio back then. We now have luxury they never imagined and don't give it a thought. It would have been very exciting on such a adventure as it still is today. We just do it on smooth roads

in complete comfort.

Grand Marais Mn. Coast Guard Station

Today at the store I met a fellow who had served at the Grand Marais Coast Guard Station in the past. It was a random meeting at the Grocery store. How does that happen? I was wearing a Grand Marais hat. That started the conversation going which went for about 15 minutes in the produce isle. The station has been on the harbor a long time as the following postcards show. The last picture was just taken two weeks ago. The fellow recalled very fondly of serving at the station and living at Grand Marais. He also had spent some time at the Bayfield Coast Guard station. All of this because I needed some 2% milk....isn't life grand!

Fisherman's Picnic Grand Marais

This would be the place to be this weekend. Cooler by the lake and just a wonderful scene with things to do and eat. How about a Herring Burger?? Sadly I'm not there but I grabbed this shot from the Grand Marais Cam. I like the fact that somebody is flying a kite at the harbor. A nice breeze and wonderful spot to do so. Many events this weekend at the picnic. Click on the link below:

http://www.grandmarais.com/what_to_do/wtd.php?page=Events

North shore dining in the past.

Back before the present day Betty's Pies,Rustic Inn and Cascasde Lodge Restaurant they looked just a little bit different. Dining on the North shore drive is always a pleasure. You hike,sightsee and eat. The history of these places is part of the enjoyment of driving the famous HWY 61.