A visit to Two Harbors, MN

Two Harbors Lighthouse and B&B

We stayed in the Skiff (#4) 

After two years of wanting to come and stay in the Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B, we finally made it.  The idea was to take one of our three-day off "weekends" and go to Grand Marais, MN, but doing that drive in one day was too long.  So Donna chose to go to Two Harbors and make the trip to Grand Marais a day trip while we stayed in Two Harbors.

Tellegouche State Park

At the B&B we stayed in the Skiff (#4) - a boat storage building.  We had our own bath with soaking tub - first tub in three years!  We enjoyed it immensely as we did the whole B&B.

The day trip up to Grand Marais reminded us of the Oregon coast.  Lake Superior's north shoreline is

The "caves"

mostly rugged and state parks are all along MN 61.   MN 61 was experiencing some road work putting us in a few narrow, single-lane, unpaved portions, but apparently it's all doable with a big rig.  We met a DRV Elite Suites headed northbound while we were returning to Two Harbors, so it's doable.  We saw big rig sites in Two Harbors & Grand Marais. However, Grand Marais's municipal campground was full.  We'll go back and since we seem to really enjoy Two Harbors, we'll probably base there when we go with the trailer.

This time we bypassed Gooseberry Falls and spend some time at Tellegouche State Park.  The park's visitor center was brand new - opened 3 weeks ago.  One thing that Minnesota does real well with their state parks is that they make them combination visitor centers/rest areas.  So Tellegouche (Indian for "Place of Retreat") was an excellent stop.  Pictures here of Tellegouche are just a sample.  This park looks to be a destination state park with numerous hiking trails and at least one water fall.  We'll be back.

Grand Marais is a neat little place and reminded me of Pismo Beach, CA.  One of Grand Marais's calling cards is the "World's Best Donuts".  Well, I haven't met a donut I didn't like.  So you'll have to go there and check it out for yourself.  We ate too many and still got lunch.  Weight Watchers needs to add more points for days like these!  I mean, it's only points, but you can't just ignore this stuff when you get here.

Anyway, we've only scratched the surface of Lake Superior's north shoreline.  So we plan to be back...sometime...

In other news, Rainy Lake's water level is dropping.  Looks like it's down about half-a-foot since last week.  Boat ramp parking lot is now free of water. The back country sites will open soon (per Facebook).  Lots of work on the front country sites will probably be needed.  Maintenance crews have got their work cut out for them.   I have no idea how far behind this flooding has put them, but it's a bunch.

Anyway, that's our week.  Later, David