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North Shore Vacation--Final Chapter

Picking up where I left off in part two....I mentioned that on vacation I did something I had never done as an adult.  Well I hope you weren't expecting something wild and crazy like skinny dipping or parachuting.  Because the thing I did (much to the surprise of my friends and husband) was go hiking.  Now most of you might be thinking...hiking??? what's the big deal about that? 

So the back story is that my dad taught high school art and had every summer off, so in June he'd load the whole family(seven kids + mom, dad & supplies) into whatever ginormous station wagon we currently owned with a pop up camper looming behind us and off we'd go for months at a time into the wilds of Wyoming, Montana or Idaho.  Seems like when we look thru my Dad's box of photos from our childhood many of them feature us going potty in the woods or walking dangerously close to the unguarded edge of a mountain side with a look of terror on our faces(I spent a great deal of my childhood thinking I was going to plunge to my death at any moment...and I truly mean that)  You see, not only is my father a nature lover in the extreme, but he is also a daredevil to boot. 

While some kids spent their summers at the park or playing dress up with their friends, I spent my childhood climbing to the top of mountains and camping in places where there were no real bathrooms.  And not just for a week but like I said earlier for months at a time.  What would have been a grand adventure for some kids was my worst nightmare.  I dreamed of spending my free time laying in a screened in porch reading the Bobbsey twins, Nancy Drew or Harriet the Spy.  I hated bugs and dirt, I had allergies to almost everything in the great outdoors, and being an introverted book-wormish kid, the fact that I had to sleep and travel squished up like a sardine with 8 other people was indeed a nightmare for me then as it is now.

So flash forward to my early adult years.  When I turned 18 I made it quite clear to anyone who'd listen that I don't "do outdoors"  I'd simply had enough of it.  My idea of roughing it is a Super 8.  Call me a diva if you want....but after you've pooped in holes for 15 years straight....you might not want to spend so much time outside either!

When I was a young newlywed my husband convinced me to try camping one more time ( I must have been delirious with love to have said ok) and we went to one of those campgrounds that have showers etc.  Well he woke up from his sweet slumber at about 5 am to find that I had packed up our entire campsite and was sitting on my suitcase ready to go.  It was supposed to be a weekend getaway.  We've never been camping since.

Ok so about 2 days before my Minnesota vacation my friend Monica tells me to make sure I bring a book to read because she, tom and bob are going to go on a hike Saturday and I can sleep in or read on the beach.  Well that just triggered my competitive instincts.  She was being kind and looking out for my best interests and all I heard was "you can't do it".  So I said, "Oh, I'm going to go on the hike, and don't dumb it down for me either" 

I must say that I really wasn't looking forward to it.  I have friends that think hiking is the greatest way to spend a good portion of their vacations and I've always thought "are you kidding me....that is sooooo boring, hot, buggy, and etc."  I would rather explore little towns--see the shops--visit the diners--absorb the local culture and ramble aimlessly.

On Saturday we ate breakfast and then headed off towards one of the many hiking trails that were featured in the local literature.  We got to the beginning point and there were 20 or so cars already parked.  A popular activity for these north woods folk.  It was a 3 mile hike up to a peak.  I thought that 3 miles wouldn't take that long...no problem.  We entered the path and Bob found me a walking stick which I promptly refused only to graciously accept 5 minutes later.  Those sticks really help propel 40 yr old bodies up the steep incline.

Immediately I was in awe of the beauty around me.  I probably didn't appreciate the gorgeousness of fall colors when I was a child.  I became mesmerized by the tranquility of the forest.  I had my camera so here is some of what I captured...

 

The trails were brisk with other hikers

 

My friend Monica loves to hike and be outdoors...you can see it on her face!

 

Bob refused to obey the signs that were posted....he loves to make me nervous!

 

That means everybody but you Bob.

 

Monica and Tom with God's country as a back drop.

 

Bob and Monica look out over the most spectacular view of the hike. 

Well the hike took 2 1/2 hours and I had a giant heel blister by the end, but it was all worth it because I had a great time.  It is good to get out into nature and realize how beautiful our world is.  I was so happy I did it and I ended up feeling like I would definitely do it again.  Baby steps.

This concludes the story of my Northern Minnesota vacation.  I'd highly recommend a trip up there in the fall for anyone.  I hear the skiing is great also.

Our North Shore Vacation Part One

When I say north shore I am not referring to the ritzy towns north of Chicago but instead of the stretch of beautiful land that runs along the shores of  Lake Superior from Duluth Mn on up towards Canada. 

I have always loved Minnesota.  When I was a child my family spent several summers up in Ely camping (and so did my hubby Bob....I like to think our paths crossed years before we officially met and fell in love because that is so fairy-tale like) ...and even though camping wasn't my favorite, the beauty of mn stayed with me.  Then when Bob and I were dating way back 20 years ago we went on a serendipitous double date that changed the course of our lives forever, and made my love of mn even greater. 

I worked with Monica(a minnesota native now living in the fox valley area) at an Italian restaurant in Geneva.  She was a super energetic, out-going, extroverted red-head with a never ending supply of smiles and laughter.  I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.  I was a quirky introvert whose main concern at that time was what cute boy was I going out on a date with and how much tip money was I going to make that night to blow on white zinfandel (yeah...I used to drink white zinfandel).  One day Monica asked me if I wanted to go downtown Chicago for a showing of an artsy Shakespearean movie with my new boyfriend Bob.  I said yes.  I knew we were 4 peas in a pod when I looked over in the middle of the movie and noticed that Monica and I were quite content to try to figure out what the heck was going on in the movie and munch on popcorn and candy while both her husband Tom and my new exciting boyfriend Bob slept side by side in their seats.  Only one of them was snoring (well it was more like a purr).  They were happy to take a nap and we were super excited to laugh at them and flash forward 20 years....not much has changed!

Well one thing changed.  About 12 years ago Monica and Tom moved back to their beloved home state of Minnesota.  It is never easy to see great friends move away...but I am happy to say that for four people who lead quite hectic lives we do a bang up job at staying connected no matter the distance.  You know when you can vacation successfully with people that you really get along! 

Our latest vacation together was to Lutsen Minnesota.  Bob and I flew up to Minneapolis to join them there and then drive the 5 hours north to Lutsen.  One of our pit stops was just south of Duluth at a little shop that has world famous beef jerky (eeeeewwww) but the man folk like it.  So the guys got out and bought a bag of it and when I asked Bob to pose for a photo with it he gave me this ridiculous look but submitted to my wishes.

 

Thanks Bob.  You know you would have looked cuter if you would have smiled but I kind of like this photo anyway because you are funny when you try to look like you aren't going to do what I want you to but deep down we all know you're going to do it anyway. 

We made a stop in Duluth and it was so gorgeous out near the lake.  The sun was shining but I forgot my camera while we were out walking so no pictures to share.  There is a famous Grandma's marathon that takes place here every year.  Our friends have run in it so we got to revisit the finish line with them and hear their tales of agony.  It was a very hilly city and the people we chatted with were super nice.  I even found out that you can sail from Sweden to Duluth.  Cool.

After our stretch the legs tour of Duluth we made  the 2 hour drive north along scenic highway 61 to Lutsen.  The whole drive was along the Lake Superior coast.  To say it was gorgeous would not do it justice.  It was in the 60's, the sun was shining, and it was fall color peak weekend.  How lucky can 4 friends get??

We made it to our destination at about 5 pm.

 

After checking in we walked up a scenic pine lined road to arrive at the private log cabins we had booked.  Bob and I stayed in cabin 403

 

Doesn't it look all cabiny and warm and inviting?  Well let me tell you, it was!!! It had just the perfect amount of space.  2 bedrooms, a bath, an open kitchen, eating area, family room all of which were nicely stocked with the essentials like pots, pans etc.  The front of the cabin held the two bedrooms and at the back was the kitchen-family room area which opened onto a deck which had beautiful views of Lake Superior. 

Here is my shot from the inside looking out.

 

So peaceful.  I love the sound of water hitting the shore.  It soothes the soul.

Well this was just the beginning of our weekend jaunt.  I have more to share, but I must be off to work now.  More to come later. mm