The North Shore

Boozhoo!

This word means Welcome in the Ojibwa tribal language. Many stores, outfitters, and campgrounds display this sign to welcome visitors to this historically Ojibwa land. Signage for streets, points of interest, even government buildings, used Ojibwa words alongside the English translation. 

Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, with its cliffs and gorgeous views, are at least four state parks we wanted to visit. We camped at the Cascade River State Park facility, which has a beautiful 5-cascade waterfall, but also visited Judge C.R. Magney State Park, Grand Portage State Park, and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. 

I’ll begin with Split Rock Lighthouse. We hiked up a beautifully shaded trail to the land owned by the historical society, but had to turn back because dogs weren’t welcome. Imagine! Trooper not welcome! The lighthouse was #1 on my bucket list of North Shore must-dos. I think you can see why.

Split Rock Lighthouse

 

I loved the way the sky imitated the tree branches in this photo.

Split Rock State Park, MN

Grand Portage was the northern-most state park we visited. Its claim to fame is the highest waterfall in Minnesota. The trail was paved, making it handicap accessible. “High Falls” plunges into the Pigeon River, which is the border between the US and Canada. We stood on US soil, but a stone’s throw away was a different nation. Below, Canada is to the right of the right-hand waterfall.

High Falls of the Pigeon River, Grand Portage State Park, MN
 

As we drove south from the Canadian border our next park was Judge C.R. Magney State Park. The waterfall below is actually 2 falls. The one on the left falls behind the rocks and joins the river somewhere behind the other fall's plunge into the Brule River. It appears to simply vanish.

Devil's Kettle Falls
View from the top of the falls.
But not the top of the trail...

The view from the bottom of the trail.

Did I mention stairs? There are about 200 stair-steps leading down into the Brule River ravine. And as I've said before, what goes down must come up. And "up" was a killer.

About halfway down to the bottom of the falls, visible in the background.

About halfway up to the trail.
Quads were burning.
Note the well-placed bench.

Finally, our home base for the three days in the North Shore area, was Cascade River State Park. A short loop hike took us to two waterfalls - the Lowest Drop Cascade River Falls and the 5-tiered Cascade River Falls, but we also spent time dodging mosquitos and small children. 

Lowest Drop of the Cascade River Falls

It amazes me the literal heights to which some people will go to get "the shot." Daughter Kristi is testing these heights.

Trying to get that perfect shot.

 

THE SHOT from the tree.
Was it worth it?

When we finished our hike to Cascade Falls, we walked across Hwy 61 and got this great picture of the shoreline. 

Shoreline along MN 61

A few things I noted: Lutheran churches in this area are as thick as Baptist churches in the South. Also Norwegian flags at the driveways of lake homes. If these flags are directional assisters, it might be confusing. "Turn right at the Norwegian flag." Uh, which one?

Another things as thick as flies were the vault toilets. Reminded me of that commercial: "What's in your vault?" The presidential answer might be, "Don't ask, don't tell."

What's in your vault - er wallet? 

Next up on our adventure is Voyageurs National Park (even further north than we are) and a meet-up with the California Kids.