Man, has it already been over a month since we were up north with my parents? The time has just flown by now that school is back in session, and we're back to our normal routine (and then some!)
We had a fantastic time when we traveled up the Minnesota north shore. My parents went up a day early (and stayed several days later.) We took our time when we left the cities after work on Tuesday, and decided to spend the evening in Duluth so the kids could experience what a neat town it is.
The rest of our time was busy traveling north, north, and then north some more...as far north as we could go, until we hit Canada! We didn't cross the border, but there were definitely Canadian influences in Grand Portage, as the gas stations displayed gallons and liters, and the signs were in MPH and KPH. Pretty fun to see something different in Minnesota.
When we returned to Grand Marais, we visited a recommended restaurant where we sat on the roof, and watched the traffic on the lake. After dinner, Ava played "fetch" (yep, fetch) with Scott and rocks...she was drenched after this game, as she was in the lake up to her belly!
We had a fantastic time when we traveled up the Minnesota north shore. My parents went up a day early (and stayed several days later.) We took our time when we left the cities after work on Tuesday, and decided to spend the evening in Duluth so the kids could experience what a neat town it is.
The rest of our time was busy traveling north, north, and then north some more...as far north as we could go, until we hit Canada! We didn't cross the border, but there were definitely Canadian influences in Grand Portage, as the gas stations displayed gallons and liters, and the signs were in MPH and KPH. Pretty fun to see something different in Minnesota.
Day 1: August 14
Heading up to Duluth...trying to keep the kids (and myself) entertained...
Day 2: August 15
It was a chilly morning in Duluth. We saw several ships go in/out of the harbor, and even walked across the lift bridge (Ava was not comfortable with that and wanted to run across...)
Hey, there's a ship!
We finally made it up to Grand Marais, and ate some tasty tacos for lunch, and explored the area, including walking out to a little lighthouse at the end of the pier. I was convinced that someone from our party was going to slip and fall into the water...
After a great dinner out, we explored more of Grand Marais and practiced skipping rocks into the little port
Day 3: August 16
We were pretty tired from all of the driving (ok, ok, Scott drove...) so we went to bed early to rest up for our trip to Lutsen the next day! What a beautiful view from the mountain...and Scott and my dad zipped down the side on the Alpine Slide, too!
G wanted to visit the lake right away in the morning :)
Taking the gondola to the top of the mountain!
When we returned to Grand Marais, we visited a recommended restaurant where we sat on the roof, and watched the traffic on the lake. After dinner, Ava played "fetch" (yep, fetch) with Scott and rocks...she was drenched after this game, as she was in the lake up to her belly!
Day 4: August 17
We spent our final full day heading up to Grand Portage to see the beauty of the very far north.
The US is on the left, and Canada is on the right!
After we made it back to Grand Marais, we had drinks and appetizers on another rooftop (amazing views there!)
We went to another location for dinner...we ate so much food while we were there. Oh so good!
I thought it would be fun to work on a puzzle while we were up there so brought this button one. Oh man, it kept us busy, and up really late on our last night there. We had it finished, and then Ava (I think?) knocked part of it off the table so we had to do it again.
It was insane. Never again.
Day 5: August 18
The next morning we got on the road bright and early, since we had such a long drive back home (5 hours?) Everyone did really well, and I was super happy that we stopped at Tobie's to pick up cinnamon and caramel rolls for the week. YUM!
Lucky was so happy to see us when I picked her up from the kennel on Monday, She was bouncing all around and ended up bouncing off the couch and hurting her leg so badly she limped for over a week! She's all better now, but still...poor little girl!
This was a great family vacation, and we are so grateful to my parents for offering to let us share the rented townhome with them while they were there. I'm already looking forward to our next adventures up north!
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