We will finish this vacation next year!
Jeep
Monday, October 13, 2014
Day 11 and 12
Leaving at 4 a.m. to head home to Texas to be near our family during this sorrowful time. Bless my sweet husband as we have 1700 miles to travel these next 2 days. This parting shot is from Split Rock Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior, north of Duluth.
We will finish this vacation next year!
We will finish this vacation next year!
Day 10, Sunday October 5, 2014
Day 10
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Headed into Canada at 9 a.m. When we get phone reception an hour later we learn that our sweet sister-in-law Patti passed away yesterday. Not sure what we should do so we kept traveling into Canada as we had promised her we wouldn't turn back.
First stop was at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park for a look at the water falls there.
Destination was the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Thunder Bay. One of the prettiest parks ever. Nice and cold and too windy to launch the canoe. Saw more wildlife here. There was a red fox and a skunk that both were a big nuisance.
Decided in the evening that we were finally as far north as we were going so we were going to be headed south toward home. The funeral is Wed. so we will attempt to drive home in 2 days.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Headed into Canada at 9 a.m. When we get phone reception an hour later we learn that our sweet sister-in-law Patti passed away yesterday. Not sure what we should do so we kept traveling into Canada as we had promised her we wouldn't turn back.
First stop was at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park for a look at the water falls there.
Destination was the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Thunder Bay. One of the prettiest parks ever. Nice and cold and too windy to launch the canoe. Saw more wildlife here. There was a red fox and a skunk that both were a big nuisance.
Decided in the evening that we were finally as far north as we were going so we were going to be headed south toward home. The funeral is Wed. so we will attempt to drive home in 2 days.
The shoreline of Marie Louise lake, north of Thunder Bay
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, Ontario
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, Ontario
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario
Looking down from the observation deck that overhangs a cliff at Thunder Bay
Day 9, Saturday, October 4, 2014
Day 9
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
Isle Royale National Park, Windigo, Michigan
Oh my! You wake up today and think...."Let's just roll over and sleep under the covers and listen to it rain." But no......we have an excursion booked to Isle Royale National Park, located in Lake Superior's northwest corner. It is a roadless land, with rugged and scenic seashores. The island is roughly 20 miles from land, accessible by boat or sea plane. We took the boat. The unheated boat at that. The Voyageur II boat from Grand Portage to the island is a 2 hour ride and is recommended by the NPS. And what a ride it was! Rough, high waves. The park is known for moose and wolves. These animals are thought to have migrated by an ice bridge formed during exceptionally cold winters. Coming into the Windigo Visitor Center through the Washington Harbor, we could see the Rock of Ages Lighthouse.
We didn't see any moose today on the hike we took, but we did see their tracks. It was so fun to be greated at the boat dock by park rangers. And so sad, in a way, to see them wave good-bye when we left. The life of a park ranger in a very remote area! This was one of the coldest days ever but there was heat at the Visitor's Center where we took in 2 of their programs.
Burned all of our camp wood tonight as we can't take it across to Canada tomorrow. Happy trails!
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
Isle Royale National Park, Windigo, Michigan
Oh my! You wake up today and think...."Let's just roll over and sleep under the covers and listen to it rain." But no......we have an excursion booked to Isle Royale National Park, located in Lake Superior's northwest corner. It is a roadless land, with rugged and scenic seashores. The island is roughly 20 miles from land, accessible by boat or sea plane. We took the boat. The unheated boat at that. The Voyageur II boat from Grand Portage to the island is a 2 hour ride and is recommended by the NPS. And what a ride it was! Rough, high waves. The park is known for moose and wolves. These animals are thought to have migrated by an ice bridge formed during exceptionally cold winters. Coming into the Windigo Visitor Center through the Washington Harbor, we could see the Rock of Ages Lighthouse.
We didn't see any moose today on the hike we took, but we did see their tracks. It was so fun to be greated at the boat dock by park rangers. And so sad, in a way, to see them wave good-bye when we left. The life of a park ranger in a very remote area! This was one of the coldest days ever but there was heat at the Visitor's Center where we took in 2 of their programs.
Burned all of our camp wood tonight as we can't take it across to Canada tomorrow. Happy trails!
Hiking at Isle Royale
Our boat ride at the dock at Windigo
Our back porch at Grand Portage RV park
This is a 500 year old cypress tree at Grand Portage, very sacred.
Tanker traffic
Washington Harbor at Isle Royale NP
Day 8, Friday, October 3, 2014
Day 8
Friday, Oct. 3
Grand Portage, Minnesota
This was one of our best days ever! This morning it wasn't raining so took a hike around the beach at Bear Head Lake. So pretty. Nice and cool!
Hit the road around 10. The drive (Hwy. 61) along the north shore of Lake Superior was so beautiful! Pretty fall colors and waterfalls. After parking the trailer at the RV park we took a drive to the Grand Portage State Park. The waterfalls there were awesome. Grand Portage, named by the Indians, means "the great carrying place". It is a 9 mile trail around the waterfalls on the Pigeon River, which is the boundary here between Canada and the United States. The falls are estimated to be 100' to 130'.
Since we were camped at a casino, took our spare change and attempted to make us a little gas money. We only broke even, but that was ok.
It's in the 30's here on the Canadian border!
Friday, Oct. 3
Grand Portage, Minnesota
This was one of our best days ever! This morning it wasn't raining so took a hike around the beach at Bear Head Lake. So pretty. Nice and cool!
Hit the road around 10. The drive (Hwy. 61) along the north shore of Lake Superior was so beautiful! Pretty fall colors and waterfalls. After parking the trailer at the RV park we took a drive to the Grand Portage State Park. The waterfalls there were awesome. Grand Portage, named by the Indians, means "the great carrying place". It is a 9 mile trail around the waterfalls on the Pigeon River, which is the boundary here between Canada and the United States. The falls are estimated to be 100' to 130'.
Since we were camped at a casino, took our spare change and attempted to make us a little gas money. We only broke even, but that was ok.
It's in the 30's here on the Canadian border!
Cross River Falls
Cross River MN
Temperance River
North shore of Lake Superior in MN
Grand Portage State Park falls
Grand Portage State Park
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Day 7
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Bear Island State Park, Minnesota
We took a pretty drive back to Minnesota, heading north. Bear Head Lake SP is one of the most beautiful parks we've camped in. We got a great site on the lake. Decided to wet the paddles a little and took the canoe around a part of the lake. Although their fall color has already peaked, there is still some left. Got back to the trailer before the sprinkles turned into a steady, light rain. Weather forecasts are a little on the cold side, predicting snow showers Friday evening to Saturday morning. We will be headed this weekend to Isle Royal National Park. Looks like we will really have to bundle up for that boat ride!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Bear Island State Park, Minnesota
We took a pretty drive back to Minnesota, heading north. Bear Head Lake SP is one of the most beautiful parks we've camped in. We got a great site on the lake. Decided to wet the paddles a little and took the canoe around a part of the lake. Although their fall color has already peaked, there is still some left. Got back to the trailer before the sprinkles turned into a steady, light rain. Weather forecasts are a little on the cold side, predicting snow showers Friday evening to Saturday morning. We will be headed this weekend to Isle Royal National Park. Looks like we will really have to bundle up for that boat ride!
Welcome to Minnesota (again!)
Launching the canoe on Bear Lake
Paddling on Bear Lake
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Day 6, October 1, 2014
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Bayview WI
We are bundling up to take the Apostle Islands Grand Tour this morning. It's a windy and cloudy day. Rained on us on most of the cruise. Besides people watching (LOL) we really enjoyed the lighthouses on Raspberry Island and Devils Island. Basswood Island was the most picturesque with steep rocky shores and a standing rock off the north shore.
It keeps raining lightly so wedrove over to Washburn to do laundry. Stopped at one of the many apple orchards so of course we have to cook apples with our dinner tonight!
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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Bayview WI
We are bundling up to take the Apostle Islands Grand Tour this morning. It's a windy and cloudy day. Rained on us on most of the cruise. Besides people watching (LOL) we really enjoyed the lighthouses on Raspberry Island and Devils Island. Basswood Island was the most picturesque with steep rocky shores and a standing rock off the north shore.
It keeps raining lightly so wedrove over to Washburn to do laundry. Stopped at one of the many apple orchards so of course we have to cook apples with our dinner tonight!
Back of the cruise boat
Basswood Island
Viewing 3 of the islands
An old fish camp
Devil's Island Lighthouse
The lightkeeper's quarters
Raspberry Island Lighthouse
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