spider gate

It's halloween.  I saw this wrought iron gate recently while I was walking down a city street.  The gate looked like one big spider web and the staircase behind the gate looked kind of spooky, too.  It's kind of creepy.  BOO!

Hollow Rock

Just to the north of Grand Marais, Minnesota you will find the Hollow Rock.  This small island sits right off shore and features a natural stone arch.  The arch was formed over many thousands of years as the pounding waves from Lake Superior beat against the rock and the erosive action of the water wore the hole through the rock.  Nice to stop and see.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

I've posted a picture in the past that is very much like this one I took recently.  I think it is fitting to revisit this hallowed ground as we approach Veteran's Day in a couple of weeks.  Several members of my family are buried here including my dear brother, Steven.  They served in honor.  May they rest in peace.

grand marais

One of my favorite small towns along the north shore of Lake Superior is Grand Marais.  I have been here several times while growing up in Minnesota.  I loved to walk by the stores on the main street and venture out on to the jetty.  Time certainly changes things and many of the old shops are gone.  The movie theater?  That's gone too.  But, the harbor never changes.  The waves still lap away at the rocky shore with a gentile, rhythmic sound.  I went up to Grand Marais this Fall just as the leaves were starting to change colors.  Like an old friend from long ago, meeting again after many years apart was such a lovely reunion.  I'll be back, again.

bird on the dock

Yup, that's what this is...a bird on the dock.  I took this picture on the dock that juts out from the fort at Grand Portage.  Looks like the bird was enjoying the day.  And, so were we.

Grand Portage

Just six miles south of the Canadian border in northeastern Minnesota sits the Grand Portage National Historic Site.  A fort was built here during the 1700's.  It was used by the Ojibwe tribe and the British North West Company for the fur trading business.  The Great Hall was the center of activity during the annual meetings of the North West Company.  The kitchen was located next door.  An upright timber barricade surrounded the fort.

The name Grand Portage comes from the 8.5 mile land passage that the fur traders made between this fort and Fort Charlotte to the west.  Between these two forts flows the Pidgeon River and at the point where the river empties into Lake Superior there are many waterfalls and rapids.  Skirting around these obstacles by using a land pathway seemed logical (and somewhat easier).  Thus, the grand portage was put into use.  Today the reconstructed fort tells of the history of the fur trading industry during the 1700's and the contributions of both the Ojibwe people and the British.  This historical park is under the supervision of the National Park Service and it is free for all to enjoy.

high falls

I had never been to the most northeastern tip of Minnesota before this summer.  The arrowhead country is the pointed section of land (it looks like an arrowhead) that juts out into Lake Superior just below the Canadian border.  There is a beautiful falls that sits along the border and is known to be the highest waterfall in the state of Minnesota.

The spray from the waterfall is magnificent as the water roars over the edge of the rock ledge.  At this point both Canada and the United States of America can be seen on either side of the falls.  So close, it's almost touchable.

nut goodies

Does anybody remember these?  I didn't know they were still being made.  I used to love eating a nut goodies candy bar when I was a kid.  The corner drug store carried plenty of this yummy chocolate, carmel and nut filled candy on the candy rack.  The package even looks the same.  My sister remembers them well and we are pretty sure this was our mother's favorite candy bar.  Still delicious!!

ice cream time

I can hardly believe it.  I haven't eaten in a Bridgeman's in many, many years.  (I've been on the road a lot!)  I remember having ice cream at Bridgeman's many times when I was young.  The fudge sundaes are out-of-this-world.  I found this one in Duluth.  So, I indulged.  Magnificent.

first sign of Autumn

This picture was taken about three weeks ago.  How quickly things change.  The green leaves have all turned to a brilliant orange .  Summer is over in northern Minnesota.

a country church

In southern Minnesota, out in the countryside near Hector, stands a beautiful old white wood frame church.  This is the church we decided to attend on that Sunday morning.  We wanted to hear the minister preach because, as it turns out, he was an old friend from our childhood.  We all went to the same grade schools in our community and he was a member of our church, too.  We lost touch over the years but have recently re-connected.  What great conversations we had after church that Sunday and those conversations continued over lunch that afternoon.  Lovely church and lovely company!!

a big horse

Oh, look what I found.  It's a giant painted horse...Swedish style.  It's called a Dalecarlian horse and it is named after its' region of origin in Sweden.  You can find this horse just outside of Cloquet, MN

northwoods

It was Sunday and we wanted to attend church.  We were able to find a church about twenty miles or so south of Duluth.  It is a small church in the country that is attended by some very warm and friendly people.  And, it was communion Sunday, too.  PTL

grand rapids school

In northern Minnesota somewhere between Duluth and Bemidji lies the town of Grand Rapids.  We passed through there on our way across the state this summer and decided to stop in the center of town and visit this beautiful old school building.  The central wooden staircase was exceptionally beautiful.  I can just picture the students running up and down these stairs.  More than that I can picture some daring students sliding down on the stair railings.

The building today houses small boutiques and galleries in the former classrooms.  Fortunately the old school building was left intact and the beauty of the interior still remains.  The polished wooden floors, the chalk boards and the old cloak rooms attached to each classroom brought back some fond memories of my grade school days.

It makes me happy to see older buildings being taken care of and being put to good use again.  What a wonderful old building.  And, if walls could talk....

Herman the German

In southern Minnesota in the town of New Ulm there is a large statue that has been erected in a park high on a hill overlooking the city.  The statue is known as the Herman Heights Memorial and is commonly referred to as Herman the German.  The statue commemorates the Germanic victory over the Romans at the battle of Teutoburg Forest.  The leader, Arminius, lead the troops in the battle and it is he that is captured in sculpture atop this 102' memorial.  You can climb the spiral staircase to the observation deck where views of the river valley await.  It's a nice place to visit when you are in this  part of southern Minnesota.

der glockenspiel

In southern Minnesota there lies a town called New Ulm and it is known for its German influence.  Right in the middle of town is a large clock tower and glockenspiel.  The clock rings on the hour and the doors on the tower open to reveal moving characters mounted on a rotating carousel.  It is a lot of fun to sit on the park benches that outline the plaza and watch and listen to the music and dancing of the mechanical characters.  This day was a perfect day for viewing, too.  What a beautiful blue sky!

arctic cat tour

This was another fun day on our Minnesota tour.  We were in Thief River Falls and decided to take a tour of the Arctic Cat facility.  The tour was supposed to be a one hour tour but because we had such an enthusiastic tour guide, the tour turned into a two hour tour.  Wow, we were all happy and our host was terrific.  He showed us all of the steps it takes to build a snow mobile and we also saw the off road vehicles being constructed.  We saw everything except the "secret stuff".  What a great tour.  And, the town of Thief River Falls has a very nice small town America downtown main street, too!!  The town resides in northwestern Minnesota.  Go there.

d q at night

I spent a lot of time in Minnesota this summer.  Over the next few days I will highlight some of the things I saw along the way.  You can't fully appreciate Minnesota without stopping by one or more (I vote for more) Dairy Queen ice cream stands.  This drive-in is located in Paynesville.  I have been here many times over the years and I am reminded of a lot of good times spent coming and going along Highway 55 on our way to the cabin.  Enjoy!!