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Pete
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« on: September 13, 2009, 08:39:45 PM » |
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as some of you know, my 30th birthday is on Tuesday. My girlfriend Sam wanted to do something special so she planned a trip to the north shore, and wouldn't tell me where we were going until we got there.
We left my house about 10am on Friday and headed north. Our first stop in Duluth was Hartley Nature Center. It's a bit out of town and near the airport where the air show was last summer. As we were hiking we saw a couple C130's fly over head. It was a pretty nice place, nice and quiet, no crowds.
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Pete
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« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2009, 08:47:40 PM » |
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Our 2nd stop was Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, chance being that this weekend is the best weekend of the year to see migrating raptors. Eagles, falcons, hawks, owls etc. It was on top of a huge bluff over looking Lake Superior. While we were there, they released two hawks, a sharp shinned hawk, and a red tailed hawk. The red tailed hawk was already adopted, but the sharp shinned hawk wasn't, so Sam adopted it and got to release it. They capture them to band them for tracking, and if this hawk is ever captured again, Sam gets notice when and wear and gets pictures etc.
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« Last Edit: September 14, 2009, 08:42:56 AM by Pete »
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Pete
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« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2009, 08:49:52 PM » |
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Our 3rd stop was Gooseberry State Park. Most of MN is in a drought right now, and it sure showed at the falls. During the spring, most of the gorge is just a huge rushing mass of water. This weekend though, it was so tame you could walk most of the riverbed.
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Pete
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« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2009, 08:52:56 PM » |
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Our last stop for the day was the Baptism River Bed and Breakfast. SUPER nice place, log cabin style, all rustic pine interior etc. All you can eat chocolate chip cookies, room service every morning, hot tub in room, sauna etc. It was out in the middle of nowhere on the Baptism River, it was nice to leave the windows open and hear the rapids all night.
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« Last Edit: September 13, 2009, 09:55:15 PM by Pete »
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Pete
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« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2009, 08:57:35 PM » |
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Day 2 started off with room service breakfast to our room. I was actually sitting out on the balcony when it showed up. It was...interesting. Never had salmon in scrambled eggs before, and didn't really care for it so I got some plain eggs. They also served some sort of flat bread with cinnamon and sugar in it that was simply amazing.
After breakfast, Sam and I headed out for Tettegouche State Park, located less than a mile away, for a day hike on the Superior Hiking Trail, it's a super long hiking trail that stretches from Duluth all the way into Canada to the north. We hiked about 4 miles round trip to 2 separate waterfalls, Two Falls and High Falls. The trail was fairly difficult with some rocks and lots of elevation changes. It was nice to get out in the woods with a backpack, some snacks, and water, and just get lost for 4 or 5 hours. The trail crossed this cool hiking bridge that swayed and bounced quite a bit. Sam didn't like it a whole lot! It ended up on the other side of the waterfall near the top. Great view.
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« Last Edit: September 13, 2009, 09:56:40 PM by Pete »
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Pete
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« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2009, 08:59:11 PM » |
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shot of the hiking bridge, and a little game of cat and mouse. This garter snake was lurking around and kept trying to catch frogs. It was interesting watching it hunt.
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« Last Edit: September 13, 2009, 09:08:59 PM by Pete »
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Pete
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« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2009, 09:08:27 PM » |
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after hiking back to the car, we went back to the room for a light lunch. Our 2nd destination for the day, only 10 miles down Highway 61, was Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. We spent the afternoon and evening exploring along Lake Superior. After sunset, we went and ate dinner at Splashing Rock, a nice restaurant nearby. I owned a half rack of ribs like nothing  |
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Pete
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« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2009, 09:11:01 PM » |
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Day 3, going home. We had breakfast at the B&B, and packed up our stuff in the car and headed out. We stopped back at Gooseberry to do a little more exploring down by the lake, and then drove the 60 miles back to Duluth and went down to Canal Park for awhile. We then went over to Grandma's bar and grille to have some lunch and watch the Vikings beat up on the hapless Browns. Other than being a bit tired, I have to say this is one of the best birthday weekends I've ever had. I love the north shore and can't wait to go back.
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« Last Edit: September 13, 2009, 09:31:36 PM by Pete »
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BC
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« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2009, 07:56:33 AM » |
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Wow that looks like an awesome weekend!
Start taking your calcium....you're just one fall from a hip replacement now!!!!
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smeyer
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« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2009, 12:01:38 PM » |
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This was an awesome wknd.. Iam glad you were able to get some sweet pictures. They look amazing.
I am happy that you enjoyed this weekend adventure! The next one will be just around the corner : )
( now that we have the state parks book we can find all the good ones)
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millamak
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« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2009, 12:50:54 PM » |
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Looks like you guys had fun. That B&B looks like a nice place.
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Hey there!
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Heather
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« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2009, 01:35:44 PM » |
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that looks like an awesome time! thats so cool!! Glad you had a nice bday weekend.....last day before you are an old man!
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I Do what I WO!
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DaBen
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« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2009, 05:59:06 PM » |
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Pete those pictures are amazing. I love the snake one and the light house is now a background on my screen. Amazing.... just Amazing.
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DaBen
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« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2009, 08:49:56 PM » |
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I am watching Destination Polaris and there are at the north Shore with and ATV group The Wrinkle Riders. It is the Moose Track trail system. Looks nice.
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Pete
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« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2009, 09:02:39 PM » |
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thanks Ben I appreciate it. Nemadji is only 20 miles from Duluth, we were about 60 miles north of Duluth. Some very nice riding trails up there, and law enforcement tends to look the other way and leave you alone for the most part.
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