Grand Marais Campground and Marina, Grand Maria, Minnesota (20 miles south of Canadian Border)
This morning was overcast with a promise of rain in the afternoon. We’ve learned not to take weather too much into consideration in this part of the country, because they say rain – and it doesn’t. They say no rain, and it does. They say rain, and you get a huge thunderstorm. They say sunny, and it’s cloudy.
So we’ve learned that whatever happens weather-wise, happens.
Blaine had a goal in mind for today. He wanted to climb to the highest point in Minnesota, which is Eagle Mountain. We did the highest waterfall, might as well do the highest hill, right? The summit is 2,301 feet, but thankfully we didn’t have to hike all that way. : ) Unfortunately, there was nothing to tell us what the hike elevation change was.
It’s seven miles round trip, which is really not so bad, but it wasn’t easy hiking. Turned out we were really, really glad to have our boots and sticks along! It took us four hours, and most of the time, we were bookin’ it as fast as my little legs could take us.
Not particularly encouraging words . . .
We had to fill out a “permit”.
I think it’s just so if they find your car in the parking lot, they can tell who you are – – in case you come up missing.
Probably easier than trying to run the plate.
Just look at the serene beauty of this place!
Can you just imagine it with clear skies???
We’ll be eating lunch here!
Let’s just hope the mosquitoes don’t decide to do the same . . .
We think these are some type of wild morning glory. They wind all around the trunks of the trees – an large area of them.
Do you suppose that Brule Lake is somehow connected with the Brule River from yesterday??
The summit was a dud. There were no views. Just a sign and a marker surrounded by trees, undergrowth and an enormous ant colony, which of course Blaine had to poke at.
Hmm. Appears there was some discrepancy for a bit. : )
Fortunately, we’d passed by some viewing places on the way to the top.
If you look, it seems like rain – or something way out there.
For now, it’s just
ahhhhhh. . . .
This isn’t as bad as it looks.
The ledge Blaine’s standing on to take this picture, stuck out further than this part. : )
We were taking in the view at this overlook just before we headed back down, and off in the distance, it didn’t look great. When we stopped at the next overlook, Blaine was able to get cell service (except for the overlooks, there was none), so he checked in with The Weather Channel radar and found a big storm headed right for us!
We’re at the blue dot.
That rain is coming our direction. Yikes!
And so we got rained on the whole way back.
But we just HAD to stop and capture this little guy eating his lunch! Until he decided Blaine was just a bit too close and he scampered off into the woods, leaving his lunch behind. : ( I sure hope he came back for it . . . .
Pictures just aren’t clean enough. : (
Here it comes!
No more pictures. The phones got put in the pack where they’d be safer.
It came down harder and harder and we hiked faster and faster. We passed more than a few people on their way up, but most seemed like locals, so I’m sure they’re used to it. However, there were these three Asian people carrying umbrellas and at least one of the guys was wearing loafers. I don’t imagine they got too far.
But here again, the deluge never transpired. I guess we should thank God for that, because if we’d been caught in the torrent, it could’ve been a really bad thing.
And we missed our chosen lunch spot – a log by the lake – and had to eat in the Jeep. Not too scenic, especially with the windows fogged up. 😊
No warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies today.
Just good, soft ones. : )
Spaghetti and homemade meatballs for dinner, then a walk into town for some free ice cream. Did I say free? More like half-price. We had been given a coupon for BOGO. And it was freezing weather! The wind was blowing in, off the lake and the temperature had dropped to the upper 50s. Blaine was in shorts, sandals and a long-sleeve tee, but since I was still recovering from my chilled dampness, I at least was dressed much warmer. The ice cream was just okay. Not even close to being as good as the custard at the last place!
They have the most unusual thing here!
These flags are on either side of the road. If you want to cross the street, you’re supposed to take a flag with you to be more visible.
The law is that cars are to stop for people in the crosswalk, but I’m sure they’re right about needing to be more visible. Every little bit helps!
When we came by here the last time, we didn’t bother with this bear pole. It just wasn’t picture-worthy – and the pole and bears were naked.
Now look at them!
Wonder who and why?
It’s great!
The pole is crooked, not the picture. : )
So cute!!
Here’s the meatball recipe, just in case you want to try it.