PHOTO BOOK ~ ROAD TRIP 2017

I am so excited!  I just ordered my new photo book from MIXBOOKS.

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite books.  Maybe because most of my books have been of my travels in Europe and the Caribbean and this time I got to use moose stickers and old wood backdrops.  I have had so much fun creating this photo album.  You can see the entire book HERE.

You can see my post about my road trip to Minnesota and the North shore HERE.

DULUTH, MINNESOTA

When my sister and I started planning our road trip, we were heading to Colorado.  Because of endless rain in the forecast, we decided to head to the only place in the US that didn't have rain in the forecast and that was Minnesota.  

To be honest, Minnesota had never been on my radar. After playing around on Pinterest, I realized that was a lot of beauty in Minnesota, especially along the North Shore. It wasn't long before I was packing and excited about heading to an area of endless waterfalls.

TWO HARBORS LIGHT HOUSE - TWO HARBORS, MN

The Two Harbors Light is the oldest operating lighthouse in the Minnesota. Overlooking Lake Superior's Agate Bay, the lighthouse is located in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

This was not a planned stop but those are usually the best, aren't they?

We saw a a sign that said Two Harbors and made a sharp left turn.  The town was so quaint and beautiful baskets of pink flowers were hanging from lamp post around town. 

SUGARLOAF COVE ~ Schroeder, MN

Sugarloaf Cove is a 34-acre site located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, approximately 4 miles southwest of the town of Schroeder, Minnesota.

Here is the entrance to the trail leading to the lake.

SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE ~Two Harbors, Minnesota

The most dangerous piece of water in the world - A November gale that wrecked nearly 30 ships in 1905 prompted this rugged landmark's construction. When the U.S. Lighthouse Service completed Split Rock Light Station in 1910, it soon became one of Minnesota's best known destinations.

Nestled in a Minnesota State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state.  We decided not to stop at the lighthouse and visitor center though we did drive around the area. 

If you were to google Split Rock Lighthouse, you will see some amazingly beautiful photos of the lighthouse across the bay and that was the view we were after.

We almost had the entire place to ourselves.  There was only one family on the whole beach.

GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK ~ MINNESOTA

Gooseberry Falls was the first waterfall we came to our drive along the North Shore.  It's actually referred to as the gateway to the North Shore.  What a spectacular start on our journey to the Canadian border.

We arrived early in the morning allowing us to photograph the falls without a lot of people in them.  I understand that as it gets later in the day, it becomes very crowded so if you are a photographer and looking for great shots, make this your first stop.

CASCADE RIVER STATE PARK ~ MINNESOTA (With Video)

The best part about a road trip along the North Shore of Lake Superior is that you can stop almost anywhere along Hwy 61 and see something amazing.  

Most of the time we would see a lot of cars in a parking lot or on the side of the road and we would pull in to see what the attraction was.  

The good part about being curious when traveling is that you find some of the best sites and meet the most amazing people.

Cascade River State Park is one of those sites.  

BAPTISM RIVER BEACH ( VIDEO)

This was one of my favorite places that we visited.  There was no waterfalls but it was such a quiet and peaceful place.  I joined another couple as we skipped rocks across the water, something I had not done in many years.

If I had to choose one place to take my family swimming, it would be this place.  It is located 58 miles northeast of Duluth and about 4 1/2 miles northeast of Silver Bay on U.S. Highway 61.

AMAZING BLACK BEACH IN MINNESOTA (With Video)

When researching beaches along the North Shore of Minnesota, Black Beach kept showing up as a "must visit" beach.  Most of the directions said you would need to park by the road and walk to the beach.  It is privately owned and even fenced in an effort to keep visitors out.  Apparently it didn't work and they gave up the effort because the area is now open to the public.

I'm always looking for different colors of beaches and every once in awhile you will run across a pink beach or black beach so I was excited to find this beach.

GRAND PORTAGE STATE PARK, MINNESOTA

Torrents of wild water plummet 120 feet over the High Falls down to the Pigeon River in this park on the U.S. - Canadian border. The falls, the highest in the state, presented a serious obstacle to river travel, so a "carrying place," or portage, was necessary. American Indians created the ancient nine-mile trail from Lake Superior to bypass the falls. This trail became known as "The Grand Portage." Today, visitors of all abilities can take a one-half mile trail and boardwalk to the falls overlook area.


Scroll to bottom of post for Grand Portage State Park video.

HOVLAND DOCK ~ MINNESOTA

This wasn't a planned stop and I'm not sure how we even ended up here but I'm so glad we did.  This is one of the places that a photographer dreams of.  Of course, you can never capture it's actual beauty but at least I will have photos to remind me of this particular spot along the North Shore.

Video at bottom of post.....

The massive concrete dock dates back to 1905 when Hovland was a thriving economic hub and the dock served as a loading/unloading site for passenger and cargo ships that traveled between Duluth and Canada, and all the way out to the ocean. 

There is a small area where you can park and walk out onto the dock. Apparently at one time they had planned to restore this are but it never happened. 

HOLLOW ROCK (Grand Portage), MINNESOTA

There is so many beautiful beaches to see along the North Shore of Minnesota and Hollow Rock is one of those beaches.

The best way to access this beach is from from Hollow Rock Resort, a cozy spot great for taking in some peace and quiet. We didn't stay at the resort but it looks like an amazing place to relax, fish, hike, or just read a book.