Superior North Shore

North of Duluth, MN, along the shore of Lake Superior is a beautiful stretch of clear cool water and rocky wooded shoreline. Looking out onto the lake is just like looking out on the ocean. The weather here is warm, but does not seem to be as humid as Door County or Minneapolis.

There are several nice small towns and lighthouses in this area that was built for shipping iron ore from Minnesota across the Great Lakes. Fishing, boating, sailing and kayaking seem to be excellent, but there appears to be only a few good pleasure boat harbors along this area of rugged shoreline.

Mary and I made our base camp in a town called Two Harbors. There is a great hiking and biking trail that runs between the highway and the shore and through several state parks. We hiked and biked in Gooseberry Falls State Park. The water in the falls and river were oddly warmer than the lake water. We toured the Split Rock Lighthouse and saw one of the “Tall Ships” heading for the Tall Ships festival in Duluth.

The Minnesotans (and Wisconsinites) sure like their pies. We have discovered that there is usually a “world famous” pie shop in most areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Door County it was Sweetie Pies, and at the North Shore it is Betty’s Pies. The Chocolate Pecan at Sweetie Pies was definitely our favorite.

We have also discovered frozen custard. The Culver’s drive in chain has special flavors that change daily. Change is good! We have managed to maintain our weight (Mary has actually lost weight) by long stretches of dieting with small periods of indulgence. It is really kind of fun deciding which treats are “worth splurging for”.

Minnesota is also the land of gigantic statues. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Bull Ox are favorites, but who is this French Trapper without his pants?

So far the Great Lakes area is definitely “superior” to the inland Midwest. We will be continuing in the great lakes along the south shore of Superior in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan before heading to the Detroit area to visit a friend of Mary’s who has been on several of Mary’s trips and retreats.