Duluth Day 2

Duluth, Day 2

We had planned to go kayaking today. When we went to pick up the kayaks the woman at the marina told us the east winds would make for a miserable day. We took her advice and reserved for tomorrow when it will be a little warmer and the breeze will come from the Southwest instead of the East.

We went back to the RV, changed clothes and decided to head up the North Shore. As we started up Highway 61 we marveled at the beautiful waterfront properties, talked about how expensive they must be and how miserable it would be to be there in the winter wondering the whole time how many of the properties were summer homes of the wealthy. We had our North Shore tour guide in hand and had some places in mind to see.

Our first stop was Stony Point. A little bump of a side road and a gorgeous smooth rock shore line where we could get our feet in the water.  I picked up several smooth stones to make a keepsake with. Another little craft project on the horizon. The hardy Dulthians had no problem swimming in the sub- 70 degree water. I was content to wade in ankle deep. 

Champ contemplating crawling down into the crevasse

Cooling my feet at Stony Point

Stony Point looking North up the shoreline

Pools eroded in the rock at the shoreline

The next stop was 45 miles north at Split Rock State Park and a stunning lighthouse. That is where the day got humdrum. On arrival it was obvious that despite all the COVID protocol, the place was overrun by summer tourists. It was going to cost $8 each just to get on the crowded grounds to see the lighthouse. Um, no.  We drove to the Wayside a mile south got out and took a picture.  I can look up the history online. Next stop on the way back south was Gooseberry State Park, famous for its waterfalls. Again, overrun with visitors and crowded trails, nowhere to park, you get it. We drove on through with a wave and found a place on the shore line on a big flat rock at Agate Bay in Two Harbors to enjoy our lunch and look at the big Iron Ore loading facility that sends freighters like the famous Edmund Fitzgerald south with ore for the steel plants in the lower Great Lakes.

Lunch on the rock shoreline at Agate Bay

Champ at Pebble Beach Split Rock State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse

Iron Ore loading facility across the bay from our lunch table

The day wasn’t a bust. We saw some beautiful scenery and stunning real estate. We arrived back at our site in time to sit in the yard on our corner lot and make conversation with everyone who passed by. It occurred to me that as past camp hosts and park volunteers talking to other campers is second nature to us. We visited with people this afternoon from all over the country and heard a dozen stories about how they ended up in this particular campground.

Our fire was going by 6pm and chili is on the menu on this cool fall like evening. Tomorrow we will hopefully spend the day on the Saint Louis River kayaking, eating our lunch on the bank of one of the little islands watching the birds and the ships.

Until Next Time…