Duluth Train Ride 2004

Good day for a train ride on a rainy day in Duluth.

Duluth Aquarium pt3

Duluth Aquarium 2004 pt2

Duluth Aquarium 2004

We spent a rainy day at the aquarium in Duluth checking out the sites.

Duluth 2004 pt2

Almost 2am and there is a lot of boat traffic by the bridge. We could hear everything.

Duluth 2004

We stayed in Duluth for a night before driving up the North Shore to Bearskin. We had a view of the Duluth airel bridge right from our porch to see the big freighters go by. They would go by just about any time of day or night.

Moon over Bearskin 2004

First night at Bearskin with a full moon.

Gunflint Trail Drive to Bearskin 2004

Driving on the Gunflint Trail with some Metallica.

Grand Marais Overlook2004

We are headed back to Bearskin after a stop in Grand Marais at the Pincushion Mtn overlook.

Grand Portage State Park 2004 pt5

Grand Portage State Park 2004 pt4

Grand Portage State Park 2004 pt3

Grand Portage State Park 2004 pt2

Grand Portage State Park 2004

Back in the USA 2004

Leaving Canada and crossing the border and the Piegon River which divides the U.S. and Ontario. We then go to Grand Portage State Park which is right on the border to see the High Falls.

Grand Portage Overlook 2004

Here we stop at the Grand Portage overlook just before we cross over into Canada. It is a clear day and we can see Isle Royale in the far distance about 17 to 20 miles away.

Crossing the Border Canada Pt2 2004

Moose Crossing......Moose Danger.....

Crossing the Border into Canada 2004

Leaving Canada 2004

Our last day in Canada as we head for the border.

Arriving at Blue Jay Haven in Canada 2004

Arriving in Canada 2004

After crossing the border Dave finds a sign that makes him proud. We are on our way to our house for the weekend. Lots of driving on dirt roads and nice big hills to look at. The long drive was worth it in the end.

View of the Sleeping Giant from Thunder Bay2004

Here we stopped at a city park in Thunder Bay to see the Sleeping Giant from afar. You can see the outline of the Giant laying on his back with his nose and forehead. It was a cold windy day out there on this day.

and a little more driving in Canada 2004

The endless dirt roads of Canada 2004

More driving in dark Canada 2004

Canada Driving back to Blue Jay Haven 2004

Driving back to the house along the dark dirt roads in Canada.

Night in Thunder Bay Canada 2004

On this night we are heading into Thunder Bay to see the town a bit. We are nice and laid back before leaving the house and then next thing we are driving back a little wound up. We sure do like Canada!

Time for a Beer Canada 2004

Cheers in Canada 2004

Cheers to the Mooseknuckle!

Hanging out on the deck Canada 2004

Blue Jay Haven House Day 1 2004

We just arrived at our house for the weekend in Canada with just enough light to see the sun set while hanging out on the deck having a few beers before dark.

Blue Jay Haven House in Canada 2004

Canada Hot Tub 2004

I wish I could have this view everyday!

More Scary Canada Driving 2004

Some X files, The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street music to add to the drive through Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Canada.

Scary Canada 2004

Here we decide to make our drive in the deep northwoods of Canada a little creepy to add a little adventure to the drive. So how about some Halloween music for some fun.

Thunder Bay Lookout Storm Clouds 2004

This was pretty cool to see from the lookout. On the left the sun is nice and bright and on the right it was raining and some dark storm clouds coming our way. It never did reach us but it was quite a site to be that close without getting wet.

More Thunder Bay lookout 2004

Thunder Bay Lookout at Sleeping Giant 2004

This is a great lookout of Lake Superior called the Thunder Bay Lookout at Sleeping Giant. Incredible views.

Deer at Sleeping Giant 2004

The Porcupine at Sleeping Giant Park 2004

We must have not known much about the porcupine back in 2004. This is one of my favorite funny moments from this trip as we are in Canada and come across a porcupine. Dave has the video camera and at about the 3 minute mark he says he better roll up the window because he does not want the porcupine jumping through the window! It is a classic moment from Dave. You have to listen close but man, I still crack up every time I hear it.

Fitger's Bockfest Video 2009

Here are some clips from Saturday. I would like to participate in the bock stein race next year.

Fitger's Bockfest Polar Plunge 2009

Video of the polar plunge.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Canada

Here is some more driving around Sleeping Giant in 2004.

Fitger's Bockfest 2009

Fitger's Bockfest 2009

Dave, Scott and I headed to Duluth for Fitger's Bockfest as it was a nice sunny and warmer day near the big lake. I finally got to see the polar plunge and enjoyed watching the beer stein races. We also had to cross over into Superior to get our Gitchee Gumee Brewfest tickets as that event is fast approaching also. While we were there I picked up a 12 pack of New Glaurus' Fat Squirrel. Not sure why you can only buy it in Wisconsin but I got some while I had the chance.

It was a great day to be in Duluth.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Fall 2004

Entering Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Canada 2004

Kevlar Canoes

In my opinion, this is one of the greatest inventions as far as canoe camping is concerned. I bought my first wenonah kevlar canoe in 2004 and could not be more happy with it. It only weighs 43 lbs and can really take you deep into canoe country with the portages much easier than using a heavier canoe. Here is a video of how a kevlar canoe is made.
Click here to see the video.

More Eagle Canyon2004

More Eagle Canyon 2004

At the bottom of Eagle Canyon

Oberg Mtn HIke Pt 2

more from our hike last September of 2007

Oberg Mtn Trail Sept 2008

This is from Oberg Mtn Trail this past fall. We were about a week before the peak colors but you can see some red just turning on the maples. This is a great Fall hike.

Thunder Point on Knife Lake July 3,2008

This is from my BWCA canoe trip from July 2008. This point I am on is called Thunder Point. It is a good 100 feet or more above Knife Lake. I loved this lake as this was my first time on it. No motors are allowed so it is by canoe only which makes it very peaceful. If you listen close at the beginning, you can hear a loon call a few times.

Drive To Canada2004

Here Dave and I are driving to Canada from Grand Marais along Lake Superior.

Drive to Eagle Canyon2004

Here is a clip from our drive to Eagle Canyon Suspension Bridge. It started out rainy but cleared up nicely later on.

Walking the Suspension Bridge in Canada

Here is some video of walking the longest suspension bridge in Canada at Eagle Canyon in Ontario. I thought I would share with those who would never walk across this as I know some are afraid of heights so this is much safer just watching.

Oct 1 2004 at Bearskin

Here is our first night at Bearskin of 2004 and Dave is asked what he thinks of Bearskin......"indescribable".......

Eagle Canyon in Canada October 2004

Bearskin 2004 Part 2

After a couple of days relaxing at the cabin Dave and I wanted to see some more of Canada so we headed over the border to visit Eagle Canyon and the suspension bridge. It is a long bridge that you can walk across and to say it gets your heart pumping is an understatement. Not the best choice if you are afraid of heights. It was a great view from the middle of the bridge looking over the canyon and seeing Lake Superior in the background.

Snowy Bearskin 2004

Bearskin 2004 Part 1

I rented our favorite cabin at Bearskin for the first 2 weeks of October. We had some great fall weather with a surprise snowfall as well. Dan came up for the first time and the 3 of us hung out in Grand Marais part of the time. We liked the Gunflint Tavern for some good beer and food. My Sister's Place was another one we liked too.

On our way back to the cabin we had to drive up the Gunflint Trail about 26 miles from Grand Marais. It was very dark on that road and we had a surprise along side the road. We were not going very fast and out of nowhere this cow moose was walking along side the road. It just kept trotting along and would look at us a few times until finally heading into the woods. Kinda creepy but still always great to see a moose.

Bearskin Lodge


October snow at Bearskin

Bearskin 2004

The October trip up to Bearskin in 2004 was packed with hiking new trails, biking at Lutsen again, a trip into Canada to visit Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and seeing the Eagle Canyon and walking on the very long suspension bridge over the canyon. We visited Isle Royale National Park for the first time. I made a trip to Ely, Embarrass and Tower MN for the first time. We hiked the Superior Hiking Trail in the Bean and Bear lake section. We also rented a house in Tofte overlooking Lake Superior for a couple days and we stopped at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park on the way home. I guess I had some extra vacation days as I was up there from Oct 1st thru the 17th. I think I will have to post this trip in sections. Dave drove up again and Dan drove up for the first time to see what all this northwoods fun is all about.

More skiing

After waking up and seeing the weather report I could not just sit around home while knowing that the days to play in the snow were dwindling as spring is not far away. It was another sunny day so I decided to go somewhere close so I chose Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. I was curious to see Hidden Falls all frozen over. Plus I had never skied the trails there so today was a good day to do it. I skied 7 miles as the temperature only got up to 8 degrees while there. It did not feel that cold after I started on the trails. It is pretty amazing to hear the silence on a cold crisp day in the woods. No birds chirping but I did hear a tree branch crack more than once and it was loud. I was able to get up close to the falls as the ice was still very thick. It was so quiet I could actually hear the water running under the falls and ice. I really need to try and make cross country skiing a main part of my exercise routine more often next winter. It is so much more satisfying than running on a treadmill during the cold months.

Frozen Hidden Falls

Big Woods State Park