First we drove straight up through Wisconsin, although "straight" is a relative term. It took quite a few turns and local roads to get to an actual highway, but eventually we found our way around Eau Claire and on toward Duluth.
With a very quick pull-off to see "POO Corner" because John found it on the map (thank you Google!) and it made us giggle like we're 7. "Stop POO", I mean really.
Also of note - "Cross traffic does not stop POO":
Crossing the bridge toward Duluth, with a bunch of stuff to look at all around us:
Checking out the western end of Lake Superior:
Hey, it's I-35 just like in Austin!
Pausing in Duluth for a look around and enjoying the park above the lake:
Working together for peace:
An actual beach and a nice bike path:
Bloomings:
John's current favorite pants are made by the Duluth Trading Company and it was fun wandering around the store that's actually located in Duluth:
Another excellent Harvest Host location to report - our first experience at a golf course. John took advantage of an evening special and rented some clubs to play 9 holes. He played surprisingly well, and I say that not (just) as a supportive wife but as someone who was truly surprised. Not that we're going on tour anytime soon, but we will likely try another overnight at a Harvest Host golf course.
Knocking it off the first tee:
Nowhere to hide:
No need to hide, that's a decent putt:
Pretty pleased with this shot - I mean the photo:
Just missing a sand trap on another hole, very nice (John
might have used the word lucky):
I think this is how it's done:
Another decent putt:
One of his best tee shots of the evening, on a dogleg hole
that set him up with an open look at the green:
I did enjoy following him around and taking photos in the evening light:
And we really enjoyed our lovely night with the golf
course as a backdrop.
From there we drove up to the Sawbill campground and got
Howie set up for a couple nights (pre-Boundary Waters). I picked that location because it wasn't too
far from the highpoint of Minnesota.
Love how some things just work out so well. Starting our hike up the trail:
It's about 3.5 miles into the wilderness and up to the top
of Eagle Mountain:
The trail starts off really nice, but don't get too used to
it:
Small obstacles along the way:
Our first (and certainly not our last) view of a beaver dam:
Reminds me of the Big Dog trail, except with more roots:
Our first (and certainly not our last) view of a beautiful
Boundary Waters lake:
Heading up the trail toward the summit:
Only slightly rocky...
And the top of the mountain, with the plaque that tells the
story of how they originally thought a different peak was the highest point of
the state until a survey team came to a new conclusion in 1961:
Minnesota, sorta:
An "M", sorta:
A yoga call-out:
The survey marker:
An excellent snack location - with cell data service! Our last chance at a connection with
"civilization" before a week in the boondocks.
And our first chance at the best part of these-here boondocks :)
Heading back to the truck - yeah, only a little rocky...
There are nice parts of the trail, John wanted me to show
that too:
John is interested in learning more about mushrooms, so I've
committed to taking pictures of them but not actually touching anything until
we actually LEARN more:
This might be one of the mushrooms that even smelled good (it
certainly looks good):
Our first brief foray in Boundary Waters - more to come!
Highpoint #46!
http://www.kipley.com/marcy/highpoints/minnesota.html
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