Pipestone National Monument is all about the perfect stone to make pipes. This Indian face looks out over the quarries where the best veins of the stone lie.I appreciated the Colorado connection – imagine Freemont’s time and traveling this country in 1838. We spent the night in South Dakota at an Indian Casino – how times have changed!We spent the day at Lewis and Clark Lake, a dammed up area along the Missouri. We took a tour of the dam, watched a movie in the visitor center, and had found this spot to camp for the night!Spirit Mound Historical Site was one of the first land areas along the Missouri that Lewis and Clark came ashore to explore.This is a description of what L & C experienced.And we did see the buffalo at this monument for the signing of a Sioux treaty.Looking across the Missouri River from South Dakota to Nebraska.The cliffs along the shore – very picturesque!The country side near the Niobrara National Scenic River.Believe it or not – we have put 9,000 miles on our van as we head across the plains of Colorado!We spent another wonderful evening with our friends in Ft Collins. G helped H level the van with a lift and we were shocked how much off level we had been!Our nephew is trying to patent a game the has invented – we got to watch and learn the rules.Such a joy to spend time with this delightful girl…and her happy, fun loving brothers. So glad we had some more time together!Our camping spot on Vail Pass with a morning hike to Shrine Pass.
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.
At the Pacawong Dam Flowage area on the Namekagon River we parked overnight. We enjoyed seeing the wild rice on the river.A porcupine crossed the road during our evening walk.There was a peaceful sunset – too many bugs to sit out for us.But not for those wanting to fish.Just as picturesque in the morning.Another picture of the Namekagon.St Croix Falls is also the Ice Age trail where we saw Glacial pot holes.And a hike in the rain for a different perspective.We were in Danbury for Oktoberfest and enjoyed some German beer.Along with some entertainment and good food.
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.
