It was a quick last minute get away to the North shore. Just Steve and me for the long weekend.
We always start the trip off with a stay just outside of Duluth at Black bear. We stopped in at a great on the way restaurant, Docs, checked into the hotel and then did a little gambling or money deposit on entertainment.
The last time we were at Black Bear, Steve got the Royal Flush and won around $1200. I was sooo close to getting a royal 2x's. It just doesn't pay out as much when you play nickels and its not progressive!
We got our favorite camping spot at Baker's lake on the edge of BWCA. Lots of mosquitoes this year!! I didn't bring the screen porch because we've never needed it in the past, but could have really used it to keep the rain off of us while making breakfast and keeping the bugs away to sit outside.
The river behind the camp spot was also over flowing with extra water. So no sitting out on the rocks. Plus, far too many mosquitoes. I think we will go to another favorite camp spot with less bugs if we go back in August with the kids.
We made a few good breakfast meals even with the rain one morning.
Friday was the warmest and nicest day, we did lots of kayaking. It was super windy so we battled the current a bit and attempted to do a little fishing.
The daisy's were all over.
Since the water was up, this back stream of the temperance river worked great to kayak. We've been back later in the season and the water gets too low.
My favorite view, from the tent. All the pine trees and listening to the birds. I could wake up to this every morning.
We stopped as we drove in the woods at various lakes we like. I think this is star lake.
Some pretty sun set photo's on our drive back to our camping spot.
We ate out in town a few nights. Pizza at Sidneys and Blue Fin bay, Beef tenderloin.
A little rain, followed by a rainbow in Grand Marais.
Some fog rolled in. The weather up there changes so fast.
Our drive back into the woods.
sunset...
Stopped at the Winery at Lutsen.
Took the Gondola up the mountain to the top and had a drink for happy hour.
It was a windy, rocky ride up.
Well worth the $50 some dollars just to go up the mountain.
We biked two times. 12 miles on a logging road /Rice lake loop and just down the road from Bakers Lake 5 miles. I brought my e-bike and it worked like a tank on those dirt roads. Also used my regular mountain bike to get a little more exercise. It was nice having a ebike for all those hills!
Bridge view by our campsite.
Stopped in at the Lutsen Lodge by the lake. The river completely changed the beach area for the better after the spring floods. Now kids can play in the river's water where its shallow. They were still fixing the covered bridge so no going across.
The lodge always has these wild roses in bloom out front.
A few random North Shore photos.
Blue Fin bay, we had dinner here one night.
Beef Tenderloin at Blue Fin bay. The food was excellent!
A quick stop at the temperance river on the drive home
And one more stop at Black Bear. Steve got a few 4 of a kinds and ended up winning $400. Got back what he deposited and made some money too.
