Desert following a nice dinner at The Chocolate Moose in International FallsRanger led pontoon all day boat trip to experience the waters of Voyager National Park.A lot of islands but this is not really a canoe/kayak type of park as the distances are greater and water is not calm.We spotted over 23 bald eagles on our voyage – the ranger knew where many of the nests were as well as the juveniles that were getting ready to be on their own.What a joy to watch them take off and soar!Kettle Falls Lodge was the historical destination for lunch.We chose to picnic by the dam/falls and enjoy this view.This international border marking was under the boardwalk so needed to be pointed out by the ranger.This beautiful private beach in Chippewa National Forest on Cass Lake was our home for three nights.Nice to relax and take some time off driving. Life doesn’t get much better than this!Sunset #1Sunset #2Sunset #3The artistic shot!This is Rividoux CCC Camp – a volunteer/camp host gave us an amazing tour. He really brought that era to life and we could envision the men in the camp between their park work.The Cass Lake State Park visitor Center was built by the CCC.Amazing stone fireplace – notice how the rock placement is so symmetrical.This is the Supervisor Office in the city of Cass Lake – also built by the CCC.We could not leave Minnesota without visiting Paul Bunyon! Where is Babe? I think he left her back in Michigan!
The cliffs have given way to multiple islands. There is Isle Royal in the distance – about 60 miles – this is the closest we are going to see it on this trip.Imagine being on the shore when these voyagers came in.This is the first tall water falls they were needing to portage around – it is on the border – those on the right cliff are in Canada.This is the replica of the fort at the Grand Portage National Monument.With the birch bark canoe ready to launch.This historian was telling us about the history of gun powder and the fur traders acquiring those skins and food. We also went to another talk on food storage.This birch bark was being prepared to use as roof shingles but it is a similar process for the canoe. We learned the inside of the bark has an antimicrobial property that protects food from mice and other insects as well as having preservative properties.The Travoto is going International! We have decided the quickest route to Voyagers NP is through Canada.
Overlooking Thunder Bay.Down on the harbor we found this interesting sculpture in a concert area.It enclosed a space without blocking any of the views.It is all in the details!Fun architecture and sculpture. Refreshing to see!Nature and IndustryHi to our friends traveling British Columbia this summer and finding all these red chairs in scenic locations – we found our own to enjoy for a few minutes in Ontario!
Sunday morning in Duluth to see the Tall Ships (see separate entry) and we visited with some friends of friends to get some ideas of what to see along the coast.A quick stop at Gooseberry Falls on our way to a night at Silver Bay.Gooseberry had this monument to the CCC workers – we appreciate their craftsmanship and all they did to build our great parks.Beaver River Falls as seen from Highway 61.We hiked up river for a closer look.Some nice little cascades as well.And some fun patterns made by the water.The rugged coast line of Lake Superior – Volcanic Basalt here not sandstone.Split Rock Light House in the distance.It was interesting to study it a while from this vantage point – and to people watch as many came down to the beach to look at it after their tour.Interesting proportions but it works very well.The other direction is just as beautiful.This is Black Beach in Silver Bay. Well worth the visit. They also have Pebble beach, Agate beach and Peach beach.And looking the other direction on Black beach.A detail shot of the Black beach and the peach granite. It looked like a fish to me – ha!Palisade Point cliff is full of rock climbers this morning.The view from there is breathtaking! There is a freighter pulling in for iron ore in Silver Bay.We hiked to High Falls in Tettegouche State Park.Oh – there is a third one around the corner – very loud!Interesting to hike to the top.And across this swinging foot bridge.Back on the coast admiring this view of Palisade Point.And looking the other direction where a friendly visitor took our picture.We enjoyed wine o’clock looking at this view – noting the 15% slant angle on all of the outcroppingsTemperance River Falls – Look another falls and another walk through thick forests where you can’t see anything until you are right at the falls.Sugarloaf Interpretive Center was a large logging area and this ring is left over from that era of collecting all the logs on shore to be pulled across Lake SuperiorTofte Town Park was a nice place to enjoy the water along with the seagulls.And to catch a nice sunset.
We stopped in Washburn and met up with a friend of a friend who grew up there – she had some great history to share with us, especially about the brownstones. We visited the National park headquarters in Bayfield before working our way to Cornucopia.We really enjoyed their harbor – it was a nice park area with an artesian well.Meyers Beach hike in the National Lake Shore had some outstanding vistas.Fun to see the kayakers going into some of the caves.They gave us a sense of scale.And we could see where to look for the sea caves and arches.The scenery was spectacular. It was an overcast day so not great distance views.But enough visibility!They said they were trying to set a record for number of hammocks above each other.Looking back on our lunch rock – it was a very nice place to hang out!We hung around for Corny Day – a nice group of people set up for the flea market and an equal number came to check out the wares.But it was really for the food that we came.We waited almost an hour for the fresh fish but it was worth it! They keep serving until they run out (which is before people get tired of eating it, we are told).Makes your mouth water, doesn’t it!
This is the second time we have traveled together to the UP so we have some different things to see.We found a little lake (Brevort) with a put in site to make our stop for the nightReally peaceful sunsetLunch on Lake Michigan – does it look much different?Hugoboom Lake was our site for three nights. It is in Hiawatha National Forest. We swam in the lake, walked around the lake , chatted with fishermen and others that stopped by.The color of the lake at sunset was amazing – it go so still and reflective.Early morning mist was also very interesting.Chef is making pancakes…with fresh raspberries!Another peaceful eveningThese are the best photos and you know we took many more!We went up Christmas lighthouse for our first glimpse of lake Superior.We walked a local nature trail to find this fun waterfall.Miners Rock in Pictured Rock National Lake shore. The color is superb and the kayakers added a nice sense of scale.Beautiful day!In both directions!Another waterfallA really pretty sunset even though we were not on the water.Early morning on Lake Superior.We can’t believe how calm the water is.In Marquette along the shore, where we had a picnic lunch.Shaken, not Stirred: The name is Bond. Bond Falls.Bond Falls camp site on the reservoir created by the power company – really a nice spot to hang out. There was also a lot of firewood so we polished off a few s’mores!
Manistee National Forest coastlineSummer doesn’t get much better than this!Relaxing until sunset – well worth the wait!We found a quiet cool dispersed site in the woods – stayed for 4 nights. The solar panels struggled to keep the battery charged but we slept so well. Nice to have a break from the heat.Nordic Dunes Wilderness – we enjoyed a day hike along the shore.And hung out for another gorgeous sunset!Michigan Recreation Area beach.Dunes protect all the shoreline.Can’t get tired of this!Manistee Light House where we hung out for lunch – along with many others.This is a nice looking sunset but looks like the sun won’t melt into the lake.Ohhh – looks like we might have some delayed color…This is an “end of the world” sky! Unbelievable!A viewpoint of the coast – an easy hike just up some stairs!Another lighthouse.Do I look like I am captain of the ship? My grandfather was a cook on the freighters….not sure I could get used to that lifestyle.A life saving demonstration where Raggedy Ann got saved first while Andy clung on a bit longer.All the helpers pulled them to shore – good fun.Another sunset at Sleeping Bear Sand Dune area – our final on Lake Michigan. People had bonfires on the beach and I remember doing that as a kid. I would be cold and dripping wet from swimming while roasting a hot dog. We also did the dune climb every summer – before it was a National Lake ShoreLunch at the Mighty Mac bridge watching the Edmund Fitzgerald go underneath.
Wilamot Valley has views to dream about. Wow! We strolled to this beaver pond in the early morning.The Travato found a great parking place! We stayed put for three nights.We watched photographers come and take pictures of us…well probably, unlike us, they cropped out the Travato.We could enjoy some river time…tho the mosquitos kindav liked this spot as well.One night some horses were brought in and added a beautiful touch to the valley.They were more interested in the grass than the view.The start of the hike to Blue Lake. This is a hugely popular trail and we were really glad to have walked the mile to the trailhead rather than try to park.A couple backpackers asked for their photo here so they reciprocated by taking this one of us.A panarama view. Amazing colors. It did not feel real.We decided to take a cue from the marmot and just sun ourselves on a rockLife is good!Especially with views like this. True Prisma colors.More columbines in bloom, along the banks of the crystal clear water.The second day we hiked to Baine Basin which is the next valley over.There were many river crossings but all were nicely fashioned with sturdy bridges.Our first view of the valley – there were so many waterfalls!We hung out on a rock with this view – a bit closer to the water.Colorful wildflowers. We loved this magenta variety of Paint Brush.Another evening stroll in the valley before turning in. I think we need to come back in the fall and see this valley with the aspens. It is a new favorite spot…we are collecting them.
After exploring Cedar Edge and Montrose, CO, we found a parking spot with a view of the valley for two nights.We enjoyed a day hike exploring the area. There were 4-wheel drive roads that were the most rugged classification – not at all suitable for the Travato – or probably any vehicle that you wanted to keep!Sunset on the first night.The second sunset was equally beautiful.Outside of Ridgway, CO we hiked around this beautiful sculpture at the Dennis Weaver Park.It has a 20-foot wing span and was commissioned as a memorial on the park land set aside that connects Ridgway with the State ParkWe are seizing the moment and soaring with our Travato.
