North Shore of Lake Superior - July 2-3 2011

After the cool spring, summer hit with a vengeance on July 1. The Corvette and crew left for the North Shore shortly after 9 Saturday morning for a pleasant and uneventful journey. Fortunately, we didn't need a break along the way, because all rest stops were closed due to the Minnesota state government shutdown. Highway 23 out of Askov was as beautiful as ever, only a little more traveled than usual on this double holiday weekend, including both Canada Day and the Fourth of July.

We stopped at Grandma's for lunch and split a walleye sandwich. Canal Park was already sweltering and for the first time in many visits I didn't need a jacket by the water. We glided through Gitch-Gammi Park outside Duluth, packed with holiday picnickers and visitors. I was surprised to check into our room shortly after 2 -- we usually have to wait at least an hour when we arrive so early. Although I was somewhat deflated to see our rather barebones room (122-1) on the first floor, with only the slightest view of the lake a few hundred yard away, the location was, in fact ideal.

We headed to the outdoor pool almost immediately and spent the rest of the afternoon in the water. By the time we got back to our room, a bride and groom were walking across the little bridge from the beach to their reception. Nathan and Lindsey had 60-70 guests who were fun to watch throughout the afternoon and evening. At around 7, the bridal couple left their reception for photographs on the beach. Lindsey was a very determined bride. systematically staging every possible pose. At one point I thought she would wade into the lake in her dress, but she seemed satisfied with a couple of photos seated on the beach with her new husband, who seemed somewhat less enthusiastic than she with the multitude of photo ops. The newlyweds even stopped to pet a beautiful little puppy walking on the beach, a truly spontaneous and exuberant encounter.

Our dinner at the hotel's Kamloops restaurant was, at best, mediocre. Unfortunately, a quick drive into Two Harbors led us to the town's great Dairy Queen where we succumbed to the temptation of a blizzard (Bob) and cone (me). We both had an early bedtime: "a good thing" because Bob was like a little kid in the morning, ready for an early start.

I felt as though I was on a bus tour when I returned from the beach, where I took a few pictures shortly after dawn. I had hoped for a morning swim but daylight was already burning in Bob's mind and there was no time for my own ablutions, as Bob was already showered and packed. We were the first to check out at about 8 AM.

We drove up the shore to Gooseberry Falls where we had to park on the side of the road, because all state parks are closed until the shutdown ends. The visit was fortuitous, though, because we walked to the upper falls which we haven't visited for many years, since we usually walk down the hill to the lower falls. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the chilly spray from the falls blew lightly over us. Only a few people were in the park and the quiet was majestic and almost spiritual.

Our trip home was easy, with little traffic. This was one of our most enjoyable visits to the beautiful North Shore.

Manhattan Beach Sunday

On Sunday morning, we awoke to a sunny sky, calm lake and promise of a beautiful day at Manhattan Beach Lodge on the Whitefish chain. Bob and I went to 7:30 Mass where I succumbed to the temptation of looking at the pictures on my camera during the homily. I felt quite undetected until Bob's reprimand: he accused me -- wrongly, I think -- of distracting the assembled faithful. So much for that caper.

After breakfast at Pine Peaks, we launched the boat and I made my little contribution to the effort by driving the Traverse and trailer back from the ramp to Manhattan Beach. This is the task that filled me with terror as recently as two years ago, so I'm inordinately proud of  this achievement that could easily be managed by a new driver.

We were eager to get out on the lake, empty now, except for a few fishermen. Ever optimistic, I wore long pants and several jacket layers over my swimsuit (how crazy am I?), I took my favorite spot in the bow. John, Trudy and the boys soon joined us, but by then the sky was totally overcast and while the boat ride was fun, we were all chilled and returned to the dock before noon.

We all -- Bob, Scott, Meggan, John, Trudy, Adam, Mitchell, Chris and I -- spent the afternoon on the grass on chairs borrowed from the restaurant patio. In the early afternoon, we were joined by Matt Beam and his girlfriend, Leann. Scott and Adam hauled over a portable fire ring We gathered firewood and Scott built a fire; the resort dock staff weren't working in the inclement weather but there were plenty of boats looking for space, so Mitchell entertained himself with dock boy duties that earned him $13, as well as a good education in customer service. One of Mitchell's customers, a former dock boy himself, taught him to tie what looked like a clove hitch. I was disappointed not to be on the water, but the afternoon was very pleasant and entertaining.

After an afternoon of beverages and snacks, the weather hadn't cleared so the boys took a couple of quick rides and both Scott and John pulled their boats out of the water. By then, it was after 7 and we ended up staying at Manhattan Beach for dinner. Although the meal got off to a rocky start with a long wait for a table, we had a half decent meal. The best server in the restaurant brought drinks, bread and salad/soup very quickly and my frustration dispelled. A pleasant evening.

We woke up to more rain and I don't think the forecast of 80+ degrees is accurate. Everyone else is packing up to leave but we are scheduled to stay another night. With wind, more rain and T-storms in store later in the day, I would rather go home, but of course traffic may be horrendous and we may stay the night, as planned.

Eagles have Landed

Pulled into Crosslake around 2:30 CDT and stopped at Holiday for gas and night crawlers. The boat was exhibiting its usual recalcitrance and Bob couldn't get gas in the tank, so he disconnected the trailer from the boat and cranked to raise the bow, knowing from experience that gas would flow better in this position. Usually under these circumstances we are at a gas dock and my task is to sit in the stern and weigh the boat down, thereby achieving a similar objective.

I was summoned into action just as I was depositing the plastic container of worms in the cooler, carefully ensuring that none of the worm bedding overflowed onto the ice. My job was to keep the trailer from rolling backward. Other customers felt obliged to comment on the gasoline spilled liberally under the trailer, or note that the trailer was disconnected from the car. Very loudly.

Fortunately, I knew none of these people but, just in case, I proclaimed assertively that I had never seen Bob before in my life and had been accosted by him to lean against the boat! A strictly temporary assignment.

We turned on the weather after checking in: tornadoes near the Twin Cities but, fortunately, the worst here seems to be moderately heavy winds.

I think we'll wait till tomorrow to launch the boat. Heading outside now to enjoy the beautiful view.

94 Westbound - Mile Marker 190

Our first junket of the season to central Minnesota was delayed at mile marker 190 of  Highway 94 this morning shortly after we left home. It was the Traverse's first serious outing and performance seemed to be optimal until we heard the unmistakable sound of a tire in distress. At first, Bob thought the noise was coming from the boat trailer, but a quick roadside investigation revealed an almost totally deflated left rear tire on the Chevy. Ironically, Bob's decision to trade in the Yukon had been accelerated by its need for new tires! Worthy of note: the GMC's tires were problem free for the 6-1/2 years he had that vehicle.

The OnStar subscription that was included with the new car was activated. The same competent voice we've heard in commercials was transmitted via the speaker and we were soon connected to a Chevrolet call center. Within a few minutes, we were promised roadside assistance within 40 minutes. Sure enough, a big yellow rig arrived right on schedule and the operator plugged the large nail hole, so that we were soon on our way. Stranded for less than an hour!

We sat in the car with seat belts on while trucks and other vehicles whizzed by us, some dangerously close. We were grateful for those who moved out a lane, for good weather, sunlight and bright flashers on both the car and the boat. We continued our journey in the wind, passing through a little rain on the way. An eventful beginning to this Memorial Day Weekend.

Rainstorm at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The spring blooms might have been at their peak this weekend if the unremitting rain hadn't washed the blossoms off flowering trees, or it the sun had come out long enough to shine on the thousands of tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers.


I had never visited the Arboretum in spring and was looking forward to this field trip, even though the sky darkened ominously as we approached Chanhassen. Thankfully, we were in the Traverse, not the Corvette -- I thought to myself that we would be safer if this scary sky yielded a tornado. By the time we went through the gates, there was no question of walking 3-Mile Drive. A few unsuspecting Japanese tourists bravely walked with their umbrellas, cheerfully taking pictures of one another as the rain got heavier and heavier. We followed the open-sided tram through the grounds.

I took a few pictures from the patios of the Visitor Center, and managed to stay quite dry. We stopped at Fort Snelling State Park to see the deer (total count: 1) and went to Lucky's in Mendota Heights for a beer and a bite. By the time we got home, we could hear tornado sirens in Minneapolis and watched the weather on TV. At least two confirmed touchdowns, one in Brooklyn Park and the other in North Minneapolis. The sky has lightened and the storm in now south of Forest Lake. It's been an exciting day for weather watchers.

St. Croix Afternoon

The predicted rain missed the Twin Cities and we enjoyed a warm, slightly overcast day. Light lunch and a beer at Pier 500. When Bob commented on the high water, the bartender said he didn't consider it "high" until it was over the road in front of the bar. While the river was still far from the road, all the picnic tables in the park were underwater.

The Stillwater lift bridge was still open so we crossed into Minnesota and took a couple of pics. The water didn't look more than a foot or two from the bridge. Since the temperatures have warmed so much, waters may rise again in the next couple of weeks.

Flood Run - Saturday, April 2

No skiers at Welch Village.

Twin Cities temperatures have been way below normal in the last couple of weeks, and the predicted record flooding has not come to pass. And that's a very good thing.

Most rivers and lakes crested last week and we set out to view water levels in the beautiful river towns between St. Paul and Lake City. Our route took us past South St. Paul, where the snow has melted to a brown, tundra-like landscape, and the Mississippi looks overfilled and just barely contained by its banks. I finally tried driving the Traverse and found it similar to my long ago Dodge Grand Caravan. I turned the wheel back to Bob in Hastings, at Lock & Dam #2. The river isn't much higher than it was last weekend, but most of the ducks and geese seem to have left their winter open water -- for nesting sites, maybe?


We took one of our favorite side trips to the Welch Village area. The hills are still patchy with snow, looking more like late winter than early spring, and an undemanding skier could still get a few runs in, though no lifts were in operation.

A usually gentle trout stream rushed merrily toward its destination -- the Cannon River, I suppose. We  drove into Red Wing past the Red Wing Construction company, down the hill past the train station to the river. The park was mostly underwater and closed to traffic. A solitary mallard dived for food right beside me and seemed unaware of my presence.

we turned back home at Lake City. The river was as high as I've ever seen it. Ice hasn't yet melted in the marina area. Most unusual: there were no boats on the water on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Sailboats are still in dry dock and launches are all underwater. We couldn't resist a stop in Prescott, where fishing boats were positioned under and near the railroad bridge, undeterred by high water.