Good Harbor Bay Minnesota

Good Harbor Bay Minnesota just south of Grand Marais. This has been the summer of the North shore for me. Several trips up and down the shore. And there is still more to explore. You will never run out of places to visit between Duluth and Grand Portage. The fog was on the bay making it interesting. Rock hunters like the shores in this area. Thomsonite is one sought after rock. Agates another of course. I've never found either. I cheat and find them at the Beaver Bay rock shop.

North shore sunset

Practice the art of doing nothing is a vacation phrase I heard recently on a ad. It really seems to apply on the North Shore. Grab a ice cream sundae and just sit for awhile. You don't have to be busy all the time. You might see a nice sunset.

Pigeon River, Minnesota/Canadian Border

Just before the Canadian Border on HWY 61 is the Pigeon River and the High Falls. Matter of fact the river is the border. The Visitor center there has been remodeled and the trails to the falls upgraded. It's a very easy walk to the falls and the viewing pods as they call them in Canada. For more information click on the link below the picture.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_River_(Minnesota%E2%80%93Ontario)

Inuksuk marks the way

The Inuit used Inuksuks to make their way in the barren tundra. With no real landmarks it was the only way to find the path. Each August these seem to appear in great numbers on Artist Point at Grand Marais Mn.. They are always there in few but with the increase in vacationers they just explode in numbers on the point. It’s a wonderful treat and really entertaining to see who has made what and how elaborate. Perhaps they are marking the way to a excellent vacation holiday for families in Grand Marais. I don’t know of many better spots with the variety of things to do.

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

August Moon

A full August moon on the North Shore of Minnesota. Weather was clear and cool at night.
Perfect for moon viewing. This is the view from the cabin near Lutsen. What would be better in the evening? I typed in August Moon on Google and it came up with hundreds of Chinese restaurants and a few old songs. But to my surprise the moon in August is called the Sturgeon Moon. I would have never guessed that one. Next August 2012 we will have two full moons in August. The second is always called the Blue Moon.

Fisherman's Picnic and Parade, Grand Marais,Mn.

Exciting events, food stands and a nice Parade on Sunday afternoon. This is the Fisherman's Picnic at Grand Marais. And of course you have to eat a Fish Burger at the stand. They sell hundreds of them over the three day event. The wood cutting events are the best to watch.

Constant changing weather in Grand Marais, MN.

One minute it's a bit rainy, then foggy and then clear again. Last night the Northern Lights were just the best in years but I missed it. Click the link below for information on the Auroras.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Cascade Lodge, Lutsen Minnesota.

Another summer holiday at the Cascade Lodge again this summer! I feel lucky as that was unplanned and there was a opening. The location between Lutsen and Grand Marais Minnesota is ideal. I really enjoy the fact the Lodge is in the Cascade River State Park and you can hike from your door to the waterfalls. Pictured is the Lodge and you can't tell the water from the sky as it was just a picture perfect day. You can also rent cabins if you don't want to stay in the lodge. I really like the cabins near Cascade Creek. The sound of rushing water is very nice at night. And the bottom picture is one of the waterfalls of the Cascade River in the park. It's only a short hike from the Lodge. Hike all morning, get real hungry and have lunch in the Lodge restaurant overlooking Lake Superior. In the wintertime they have groomed XC Ski trails if you enjoy the other seasons as well.

Temperance River State Park, Mn.

Temperance River State Park on the North Shore is open again. In the hot weather people were taking advantage of swimming in the cool water. And some brave dudes were cliff jumping. It was a good drop as one kid said his feet really hurt from hitting the water. There as you can see was a zodiac in case somebody needed to be fished out. Still it's risky and I'd not do it. It has to be a 40 foot plus drop. Numerous people have died in this river just wading and being swept over the falls. There have been some very sad stories in recent years in this area. Best to just enjoy the views and the falls from the walkways.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/temperance_river/index.html

It's high summer Festival time!

It’s high summer tourist season and festival time. It’s nonstop from here at Grand Marais Mn. It all begins with the Dragon Boat Festival this weekend, followed by the big Fisherman’s picnic and then the Rendezvous at Grand Portage. On the top picture is the quiet harbor which won’t be that way this weekend when those Dragon Boats get going.
A good vantage point is from the roof of the Gunflint Tavern in the second photo and my favorite place to stay is in the last photo. I really enjoy the old fashion family lodge with all the hiking trails and the Cascade stream and River for the waterfalls. I will be there for one of the festivals. I only wish I could do them all. I could park myself there all summer and never be bored. So much to do and see.

http://www.grandmarais.com/

The fog comes,on little cat feet.....

On Artist Point the fog came in one evening and left as quick as it arrived.
The fog horn sounded and then it was gone.

Sky Dan Moose Plane, Grand Marais,Mn.

In Grand Marias Minnesota you can take a ride on a Cessna float plane and look for a moose. Not your everyday occurance at all. Flying alone in a Cessna is alot of fun,taking off and landing in a float plane is more exciting. The landscape of the Boundary Waters and Forest is a huge expanse.And there she is, a cow moose in a marshy pond digging around for aquadic plants for dinner. Yes that spot in the last picture is the moose from about 800 feet. I didn't have my zoom lens with me. But you get the idea. Sometimes in the afternoons Anderson Aero is at the Grand Marais harbor. Sky Dan is a nick name of course. Our pilot was his partner Mike. They know the spots for moose. What I really enjoy is seeing the entire area by air. What lakes I didn't know the pilot sure did of course. You really can cover the landscape in minutes. We were all the way up to the Brule River to the North at one point. Hikers know that river as you can hike to Devil's Kettle waterfall at Judge Magney State Park. The Naniboujou Lodge is there as well.






http://www.skydanairtours.com

http://www.naniboujou.com/

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/judge_cr_magney/rec.html

More of North Shore Holiday Grand Marais, MN.

No Upper Michigan this summer. No Canada either. We had so much fun on the North shore we are going to go again next month and again in the fall. So much to do! So until next month I'm peaking at web cam during the day of the harbor in Grand Marais Mn. The Cascade Lodge just south of Grand Marais is a wonderful old lodge. The cabins next to Cascade Creek are great fun. Hiking in the stream bed, on the trails and over to the Cascade river for the waterfalls. The wildflower trail was very nice as the flowers were in bloom late this year. Hike and make yourself hungry for a nice dinner in town or at the lodge. Drive up the Gunflint trail for hiking up to bluff tops. Find your thrill on Blueberry Hill at Northern Lights lake. The girl in the bottom photo is named the girl who climbs lighthouses. This lighthouse is in Two Harbors Minnesota on the start of the drive up the coast from Duluth.

North Shore July Holiday

The Fourth of July week holiday up the North shore is over. The weather was fantastic. What is the North Shore without a stop in Grand Marais? Drinks on the top of the Gunflint Tavern,a walk out on Artist Point to the lighthouse and a stroll around town to the shops. The dining at the local restaurants is always a real treat. I like them all and wouldn't even rate them. Each has very good points. Breakfast at the Blue Water Cafe, dinner at the Gunflint Tavern or the Angry Trout. Lunch at the Crooked Spoon. The ice cream break at Sidney's over looking East Bay. The Java Moose is a favorite also while harbor watching. Walk the hiking trails just outside of town to work up a good appetite for dinner. Take a drive up the Gunflint trail and hike up a few overlooks. The list is endless! Even with the State shutdown there was more then plenty to do as access to trails and parks was still available in many places. Pictures above were taken on the run with a I-Phone. More photos to come!

July Holiday week

When the weather is often the most warm inland I head for the North Shore of Minnesota.

The air will be fresh and cool near the lake. The forecast this year says so again. The Lupines are in bloom. The waterfalls are flowing nicely after last weeks rains. And I must take a paddle along the shore in the kayak. Of course there will be hiking and a few nice meals out in the areas fine restaurants. But best of all is the scenery and peace. The simple pleasures away from the daily routine and of course work. Work? What is that? I've forgotten it already. I'll think about it again in a few weeks. Perhaps? Or I'll still be day dreaming of the North Shore views on the coastline? I plan on seeing everything from Duluth to the border.

Grand Marais Minnesota, Sky Dan

Summer is here when you see the float plane down at the harbor in Grand Marais.

The plane ride is offered by Sky Dan the pilot. He will fly you over the coastline and Boundary Waters lakes. Perhaps you might see a moose! I'll be up there next week and we are going to take a flight. It's been years since I've done this. Now is the time again. I'll be sure to take alot of pictures as I'm sure it's spectacular.

Summer is here in Duluth Minnesota

How do you know summer has arrived in Duluth? There are people on the beach on Minnesota Point. After a whole week of wet and cool weather a nice weekend is going to happen. Of course I'm working on my computer and apparently not very hard as I'm clicking on Live Cams of places I'd rather be. But I can multi-task and dream can't I? I can wish I was in Duluth on Canal Park. What did we do before Web Cams??

The Lingering Low

A big slow moving Low Pressure is really having a big effect on our weather in the Lake Superior Region. Very wet and cool, wind from the cool lake. I must admit I'm enjoying it, I like weather.But of course don't want it to last too long, it's now summer of course. This weekend is to be very nice and we will enjoy it more I believe after our lingering low.

Grandma's Marathon

Tents and festivities down at Canal Park for the 35th Grandma's Marathon. Hard to believe that it's that old of a event already.

Duluth Minnesota

The light wind and waves have blown away the morning fog and it's a wonderful day on the shoreline of Minnesota Point.