Christmas Season in Grand Marais, Mn

Santa on a float goes flying past during the Grand Marais Christmas parade. Gosh we thought they have a long parade for such a small town?
That is inpressive! But wait? We have seen this float before, they are going around a second time. But do the kid even know? Do they care?
It's all great fun and entertatinment on the holidays.

Looking alot like the holidays now.

Very holiday like with decorations and fresh snow.

Here it comes! Bring the snow!

The ski season begins with the holiday snowfall.

The ski resorts are open with man made and now a bit of snow from nature this holiday weekend. It's a welcome drop of snow and a good start. After last year's early end to the season the Northland is due for a strong ski season.

It's time to light the Christmas Tree

At this time of year in Grand Marais it's time to go down to the park and light up the tree. Santa will be there and the shopping season begins. Support the area and buy a few gifts when visiting. The Ben Franklin is a favorite of mine. Everything you can imagine is packed into that store.

November

I enjoy the strata you find along the road on the north shore HWY 61.Cutface overlook and the Cutface wayside has interesting rocks. The Harbor Inn cam today really was showing November skies. It's only a matter of time and holidays and serious snowfall.

November sky

It's looking Grey and November now with the leaves gone. This vantage point is above Grand Marais,Mn from Pincushion Mountain Overview.

All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.

And just like that we are into late fall and the leaves are gone. Thoughts are to Thanksgiving and even snow season. That is the Cutface overlook just south of Grand Marais. Even if the leaves are gone it's still nice to take a stroll in the woods. The sound of the crunching leaves is nice.

Flurries today but what about the winter?

There has been a few flurries here and there. But my thoughts are to the winter and possible snowfalls. According to NOAA it's below average in the long term forecast. Which isn't good for skiing and snowsports. We all recall last March with 80's and no snow. Lutsen kept a few runs open with great effort to make their April 1st goal of staying open I recall. Resorts are working on the XC trails. Brushing is the term they use. Hopefully NOAA is wrong. The winter season is very important to the resorts.

The North Shore is calling....

The North Shore is calling again. I'm going to take another fall trip up the coast just because it's wonderful. The weather may or may not hold and perhaps there will even be a few flurries but it's still a good time. Tamaracks should be a lovely gold right now. You could even see a Aurora or a Moose? You just never know? But what is for sure is it's a nice time dining and sightseeing no matter what season. Winter is coming.

Hovland Minnesota

Coming down Fire Tower Road just off of the Arrowhead Trail in Hovland you can see Russia. Well no, it's Canada in the far distance. It's great fun to go exploring during fall color week. Finding new roads and vistas all over the Arrowhead Region.

Minnesota Peak Fall Color Week

Sawbill Trail,Shovel Point and HWY 60 just off the Gunflint Trail.
Just a few of over 200 pictures taken while touring around Nothing much can be better for me then clear sky and great fall color. Perhaps the dinners in the nice resorts!

Peak fall color is almost here on the NorthShore of Minnesota.

Last year I took this photo from Lookout Mountain in Lutsen Mn. We were there right at peak color and the weather was fantastic. I've got the cabin booked again for this year. Hopefully the weather is just as good. You have to guess the peak date for color of course as there are many factors in the timing. I have heard that the Pink Salmon are already running in the rivers. About a week earlier then last year. I'll be taking hundreds of photos again. I'm very excited, it's the best time of the year in my opinion.

Early fall on the Northshore this year?

Oh my the leaves are changing fast this year. A bit to my upset as I have reservations in the future for leaf viewing. It is a guessing game to time the peak. Last year we nailed it right on the head and were blessed with perfect weather. It's hard to do with drought and crazy climate this summer. But there will be leaves of some degree no matter what so it's always a good trip.This is a shot from Eagle Mountain looking at Moose Mountain at Lutsen Ski resort.

Blue Moon Weekend on the Northshore

A wonderful Blue Moon shining on Lake Superior.

Betty's Pie back when it was Betty's Cafe

Back before the modern Betty's Pies it looked like this, Betty's Cafe. Now there is a newer modern building just north of Two Harbors Mn. on HWY 61. Even the newer larger building is just jammed packed on summer weekends and fall. Ive not stopped for quite awhile as my Grandma used to say, it's so busy that nobody goes there anymore.But we knew what she meant by the comment. She would make Yogi Berra sounding quotes.

http://listverse.com/2011/04/13/25-funny-quotes-of-yogi-berra/

Research Vessel Kiyi is back in Grand Marais, Mn.

http://www.inlandmariners.com/Special/Special_Kiyi.htm

Very interesting what they do! Click on the link!

August in Duluth

This fellow in Duluth has the best idea on a Friday afternoon. A view, a book and a nice day.

Breakfast with a Caribou

When touring around the Northshore and visiting festivals you can have breakfast with a Caribou at the Cascade Lodge Restaurant. There is also a Moose mount, a wolf and a few bears.

Fisherman's Picnic Grand Marais, Mn

Something you don't see everyday, log rolling at the festival. Many activities to be seen as you walk around during the weekend. The young log rollers were so good it was hard to believe.