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Minnesota Vacation

June 2014

We decided to brave dealing with the airlines and fly out to Minnesota and a Manahan family gathering.  And I am happy to say that we did not have any difficulties.  (Others in the family, however, were not that fortunate.)

We went out on Wednesday, and drove North to my Dad's house. Interestingly, when we arrived at the Minneapolis St. Paul airport it was 81' F.  When we arrived 3 hours later in Silver Bay, it was 48' F.  A 33 degree drop; this was not due to the time passed as much as to the latitude and proximity to Lake Superior.  Dad and Cristina had a meal ready for us after our journey.  The following morning, very unusually we were told, the power was out.  So Dad, Cristina, Carmen, Paul, and Anne ended up having to go out for breakfast.  We went North, and afterwards stopped at Cascade River State Park. Dad, Paul, and Anne did a short hike.

Paul standing beside the Cascade River State Park sign at the trailhead

This park is really very nice.  The spring melts and rains have created a vigorous water flow.  Here areAnne and Dad in front of the falls.

Anne and Dad standing at the overlook above the falls at Cascade River State Park

Powerful brown waterfall dropping through the rocky gorge at Cascade River State Park on a foggy morning

We were noting the brown color of the water, and wondering if it was dirt or iron.  Conveniently, the park provided information on this.

Close view of the foaming brown water plunging over the falls at Cascade River State Park

Interpretive sign explaining why the Cascade River looks like root beer

(Organic matter plus iron.)

We were fortunate enough to see a number of lady Slipper flowers in bloom.

Two pink lady's slipper flowers blooming among wet green leaves

The Minnesota State Parks have "Hiking Club" signs, which seems rather fun.  There was one here on a linking path.  If you join, you can earn a free night at a campsite.  By the time we got back to the car, the fog was moving in.

Foggy rocky shoreline on Lake Superior near Grand Marais with dark trees fading into the mist

We proceeded on to Grand Marais, where the fog limited the visibility but added a lot of atmosphere.

Paul standing by the waterfront in Grand Marais with sailboats barely visible through thick fog

Sailboat sitting quietly in heavy fog off Grand Marais

At the Trading Post (good spot for camping equipment, if you need any for a boundary water trip), Anne got a kick out of the Ole & Lena fortune cookies.

Box of Ole & Lena fortune cookies on a shelf at the Trading Post

The fog coverage was fairly defined; we stopped at Palisade Head.  Looking towards Shovel Point shows the fog just North of us.

View from Palisade Head across rocky shoreline and trees toward fog over Lake Superior

Dad, Anne, Cristina

Dad, Anne, and Cristina posing together on the rocks at Palisade Head with Lake Superior behind them

Looking South:

Dad standing on the rocky ledges at Palisade Head in a red jacket with Lake Superior and distant shoreline behind him

I darkened this next photo slightly so you could see the fog 'fingers' reaching out over the lake.

Steep cliff edge at Palisade Head dropping to Lake Superior under a gray cloud-filled sky

Jiffy and Fritzy kept us good company.

Jiffy and Fritzy lounging together on a black leather couch by the windows

Here is a view from the window of Dad's place (from the following morning):

Morning view from Dad's house across evergreens toward Lake Superior and a rocky point

The 5 of us (no dogs) went into Duluth to watch the Brazil vs Croatia soccer match (Brazil won).  Here is Cristina, Carmen, and Dad at lunch; Carmen is decorated for the upcoming game.

Cristina, Carmen, and Dad seated together at lunch before the Brazil versus Croatia soccer match

The following day we went to George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.  This park is slightly off the beaten track, so it was quiet. Benson Lake is the center of the park, and there is a nice walk around the lake.

Fallen tree partly submerged along the shore of Benson Lake with forest reflected in the water

Paul standing on a narrow boardwalk beside Benson Lake in bright forest light

 

Cristina took a spill early, but soldiered on and did the walk. Jiffy was off-leash, and ran around like a dog possessed.  Fritzy had to stay on the leash, although Paul did run with him (which for Paul was a jog).  There are campsites on the outside of the circular walk, and at each site was a metal 'bear box' to protect campers' food.

Paul standing beside a metal bear box at a campsite in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park while Fritzy waits on leash nearby

 

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Updated April 2026