Circle Tour Part 4
Looking back at my notebook/sketchbook from our adventure I realize we also saw some lighthouses. We had the choice to journey to lighthouses or waterfalls and after much deliberation we chose the latter. We did see some amazing light houses before the decision was made. Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota, for example, was quite lovely. Set along the coastline, obviously. The rock face was wonderful with plants growing all around it. The walk was paved from the parking lot to the visitors center and there was a trail along the coastline with some nice forest area throughout. A LOT of Stairs to climb and beautiful scenery all around. Highly recommend this sight to see if you are in the area or traveling in Minnesota.
We stopped at a cute coffee shop in Lutsen, Minnesota next on our way to the falls. Fika Coffee had a delicious Green Tea with Mango, and I got a black tea as well as a Hazelnut Latte. It was a cool place with an awesome Gift Store next door. Lutsen is also where we found the Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen on Highway 61, the North Shore of Lake Superior. I need to mention this place again and link it because it is, not was, is, that good! From here we stayed on Highway 61 and went to Cascade River. This place had beautiful falls. Chris carried the dog up many staircases throughout the forest. He said it was well worth it for the view and their were almost no mosquitos was his sentiment. This forest had many amazing trees as well and many trails to walk around on.
We stopped in a store in Two Harbors Minnesota called Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts. This place had handmade items from local artists. I would link them but the website said not secure, the store however was, and quite nice. The owner knew a lot of information about each artist and every item in the shop. From here we traveled onward to Voyager Brewing Company and then to Grand Portage State Park. The waterfalls here were called High Falls and this is the only picture I could find at the moment. All the pictures in this blog are from Grand Portage State Park. This place had the highest falls in Minnesota. Native Americans made a nine mile hiking trail to bypass the falls during the fur trading days. This story and more are in store for you on this hiking trail experience. For now, I will leave you with these thoughts and pictures.
Happy Monday, and thank you for reading!
-Karen Hilliard