Monthly Archives: August 2018

08.31.18
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Sometime between 2000 and 2007

We visited the North Shore…we’ve narrowed it down to those years…because we ate at the current Betty’s Pie Shop which moved to its present location in 2000….and I started blogging in 2007 and I can’t find record of it.

No picture of the Pie because who has time to take pictures of Pie!

We left Grand Marais with a final look around…we may pull the camper and do the campground next time.

After Grand Marais, our first stop was Cascade River State Park. Beautiful…easy trail…a few steps but very doable for this…

Tettegouch State Park is huge with lots of hiking possibilities…we did the Shovel Point hike which is 200 feet above Lake Superior. 300 steps and inclines up but OMG. When we arrived on top there were already rock climbers on top and beginning their descent.

We decided to leave the other hikes to our next visit. We headed back to Two Harbors because we knew Betty’s Pies was waiting…had a nice visit with our friend Sue at her house and got to see more of the north shore off the beaten path.

The north shore is a must visit at least once in your life!

08.29.18
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Grand Marais, MN

For the most part this will be a picture blog because pictures tell the story about this beautiful place.

While he did this after breakfast…

I did this

He didn’t fall into the drink and we were reunited

Lots of shops line the streets…not your typical souvenir stores but higher quality merchandise….art stores, jewelers, etc… I fell in love with an amethyst ring which is now mine. Our 39th Anniversary is Saturday so perfect timing!

It was a tough decision…the ring vs jewelry created from this stone

We are going to slowly meander south tomorrow and visit some state parks and waterfalls on the way. Not quite sure how far we will get….perhaps back to Two Harbors. There are not a lot of regular hotels between here and there.

Until next time…..

08.28.18
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North Shore Day 1

Cold rain and temps in the 60s but that didn’t slow us down. When traveling the United States, I really enjoy when the landscape and the trees change. Driving along Lake Superior in the North Shore area of Minnesota is beautiful! Its only nature! Miles and miles of water, trees, incredible rock lined roads and tunnels.

Gooseberry Falls were a little disappointing …. the water flow wasn’t as heavy as the first time we were here….although the sight and the sound were still breath taking. I stood for a long time and centered myself taking it all in using all of my senses.

Split Rock Lighthouse tour…$10 per person….the lighthouse is a must see and the views of the shore line are breathtaking even on a cloudy, rainy day.

We made it to Grand Marais by 4:00. Probably the furthest north we will go because we didn’t bring passports. We have a room in a hotel right along the lake although trees mostly hide a great view

The various sea birds are providing a manic chorus. I hope they SHUTUP when the sun goes down.

Until next time……

08.27.18
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Just a couple of connected short stories……

When I was a child, our family.. dad, mom and Nina Sue would visit Grandma in tiny town, Nichols, Iowa a few times a year. These were special times for me because it was my dad’s hometown and he would always take me with him to socialize with old friends at Chown’s Appliance, the DX Station and Rice’s Cafe. We always stopped in The Cafe to get me a fountain drink and talk to Neva Rice and the woman he called Grandma Rice. Just thinking about Rice’s Cafe, I can still see the ceiling fans and hear the wooden screen door slam shut every time someone came in or out.

A couple years ago I connected with an old classmate of mine. We went through school together and we had all of the same teachers and home rooms except for kindergarten…and….I would not define us really as friends in school…more childhood acquainted. After awhile, I also connected with his wife on FB….mainly reference some comments we shared on FB about some health issues Chuck was enduring. Over the last couple of years, we developed our own friendship and a mutual bond developed. Sue and I finally met in person tonight in a hospital room in Duluth,MN. He and I planned a mini vacation to visit his brother in New Ulm, revisit the North Shore and stop in and see Sue and Chuck who live north of Duluth. As timing would have it, we had to visit them in a hospital room as he had not been released after a recent surgery.

And now the connection! I asked Chuck if he had any relatives in small town, Nichols, Iowa. I’d always been curious because of his last name…he said no…but Sue piped up and said she did. She had relatives…two women…a mother and daughter….Neva Rice and her mother owned a cafe in Nichols when she was young…..Rice’s Cafe.

Things like this cannot be coincidences. This was synchronicity at its best. I am blessed!

Until next time….

08.15.18
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Jax called me yesterday

GRANDMA! Followed by some 5 year old rambling about painting with acrylics and paint brushes and mom said NO! I finally asked him if he wanted me to talk to mom and he said YES! It all revolves around him telling his mom that he could paint by himself but he only had one paint brush but he knew how to rinse it in a glass of water and blot it with a paper towel and change colors. Jenny said, “he can do that himself”? Hahaha yep he can! ❤️ my heart was full. That sweet little voice and me wondering what transpired in the conversation before he decided grandma needed to be contacted….

I woke up this morning smiling about it followed by a lone tear because everything changes today….the first day of kindergarten. While I’m so filled with love and excitement for him knowing it’s time….I’m also feeling a void….I’ll miss that sweet, excited little boy bursting through the garage door 3 days a week excited for today’s adventure whatever it is, hearing him yell GRANNDDD..ma when I’m in another room, I’m going to miss putting puzzles together several times a day or week and the little disagreements over pieces and the joy when we’ve put the very same puzzle together once again!

Now there will be a whole new excitement and wonder and stories when we see him! Today the world of possibilities opens up to him! Somebody hand me a Kleenex.

Until next time….