We had another great trip up north. Our 2nd such trip. Grand Marais again. But with cheaper lodging. This hotel gave us more of a feel as to what cramming everyone in a tent would be like. Maybe next year. Lots of rock throwing and hiking and rock throwing and snacking and rock throwing and donut eating and rock throwing – we threw rocks until our arms ached. That’s all everyone does. And somehow there is always an endless supply of rocks to throw – magic. I had a few 10…15…20+ skippers…it’s a beautiful sight. I was craving the chowder at the Angry Trout Cafe in Grand Marais. Here we are with a smoked fish platter – Colleen couldn’t wait to dig in.
This year we drove 30+ minutes up the Gunflint Trial. Nothing but trees, trees, and trees for miles and miles, and then you run into this place in the middle of nowhere that people flock to for their milk shakes. Their sign says they serve 30 people/per day for 10 months out of the year and then in July & August they serve 500 people a day – we were 5 of the 500 that day, and tried their maple syrup malt – yummy. Christopher with the camera somewhere on our first venture into the BWCWA (Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area)…
Here’s that personality shining through.
We got to be a bit more adventurous this year. This is where you climb to peak down into the Devil’s Kettle.
Stacking rocks out back of Nanny-nanny-boo-boo’s lodge (Naniboujou)…
Any surprises as to who got the wettest?
Swinging at Naniboujou…somehow the kids managed to have fun without a TV blaring…amazing.
Here’s Megan, walking up a beach that has rocks as far as the eye can see…and can you see how packed her shirt is? It’s filled with tons of rocks…she was worried she wouldn’t be able to find any.
Remember this picture from last year? Looks the same to me.
By the raging river. I couldn’t help but wonder how many people end up getting whooshed down the river…seems so easy to do.
On the way home we hit Gooseberry Falls. Somehow the water wasn’t near as deep when they walked out to that big rock.
Our hotel served donuts straight from the World’s Best Donuts shop…one of the few perks there 🙂
Last night was a promotion at Famous Dave’s bar-b-que. If your name is Dave you get a free meal. I called and they said this was valid on take-out with no other purchase necessary. So of course I took advantage of that. I got there and the place was nuts. Guys named Dave standing everywhere. They would call out an order for “Dave” and it got to be fun. I ended up taking Dave Paulson’s order which thankfully was very close to mine. What a great promo – thanks Famous Dave.
Went to the state fair yesterday – got our fill of cheese curds, cookies, milk shakes, etc. Kristin and family came up from KCMO for the weekend. It was a fun time. We ran the Milk Run together which we’ve done off and on for the past 4 or 5 years maybe. We didn’t set any records, but…I also just got my results from a 5k a few weeks ago – finished in under 8 minutes miles for the first time. On my pseudo bucket list I have an item to finish in the top 3 in my age group in a 5K…I just need to find a new 5K that no one knows about, huh? Anybody else have a bucket list? Show me yours and I’ll show you mine 🙂
What fun all of you have and what wonderful memories you are creating for years to come. Did Colleen try anything on the smoked fish platter? It looks like Megan was ready to dig right in!!! Tell Christopher his picture of the rest of the family was terrific. Well, glad I got to see these before heading off to the hospital. It made my day to see all of your smiling faces.