Fall Trip to visit family Part 1 of 3

Note: Quilt shops are in a separate post

We decided to head north on what has become our annual fall trip to visit family in northern Wisconsin. We drove back roads which has become a way of life for us. We left home is beautiful weather.

Thru the windshield

Once in a while we saw a little color in the trees.

We spent time with my oldest brother and his wife, and my older brother. A niece and her two good friends were also visiting while we were there. 

We had a great time and ate way too much! One day we hiked on my older brother's rural wooded property. We saw some pretty trees in the woods.

My hiking companions

Both brothers live on a beautiful lake. Every morning I took a walk along the road to the back bay. The mornings were cool.

There was this gorgeous sunrise one morning. 

This loon enjoyed the early morning too!

We went to the last local farmers' market and found some delicious produce and some hickory bark syrup. The lady gave me a sample and I bought a jar. It tastes a lot like maple syrup.

When we left family, we headed to the North Shore of Minnesota. We stopped at a quilt shop/cafe/gift shop in Solon Springs, WI. We had lunch there and loved the chili, which had pieces of thinly slice beef, carrots, corn, celery...  We also enjoyed small pieces of Naan bread with it. We'll definitely go back!

When we stopped at Pattison State Park in WI, we had a surprise - the entry fee for the day was $5 instead of $13 and they were having a Colorama to celebrate the fall colors - crafts, treats, hot chocolate... The Boy Scouts were making apple cobbler in dutch ovens. 

It was hot and sooo good. 

The Friends of Pattison State Park were pressing apple cider - it was good too! We were invited to take a turn but declined.

We wanted to see Big Manitou Falls and chose to park close and only hike a very short distance. 

Big Manitou Falls

We arrive at our Airbnb in Two Harbors in rain. We were happy that we bought a few groceries on the way. After moving in, we just relaxed and stayed dry. 

The next day, as some bits of ice blew off our car (it was cold), we headed north to a quilt shop in  Lutzen, MN. (Pronounced LOOT zin) On the return trip, we hiked to Caribou Falls. 

nice path

It wasn't a really long hike but the weather was cold and cloudy, 

looking down on the river

and the hike was uphill until we had to climb down MANY steps to the bottom of the beautiful falls.

Caribou Falls

Caribou Falls

By the time we retraced our steps to get back to the car, we were both a bit tired.  

a few of the many steps

We did enjoy some pretty color along the way.

Beautiful Lake Superior

After a late lunch in Finland, where we enjoyed some excellent Walleye fingers at Four Seasons Supper Club, we decided to head to Black Beach. What a gorgeous beach even on a cold, cloudy day! 

From the Internet: 

True to its name, Black Beach is a black sand beach. It's the only one of its kind in Minnesota! That is because the black sand was colored by taconite tailings poured into Lake Superior during the heyday of iron mining. These tiny pellets washed up on the shore, creating the beach. 

 

The sand was a little different - it did not stick to you 

and similar - it was difficult to walk in. 

We stopped at the wayside just south of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park - there is an excellent view of the lighthouse from there. We'll get closer in the next day or two.

On to a quilt shop in Beaver Bay. Then another restful evening in our cozy, comfy rental.

More to come...

Like all great travelers, 

I have seen more than I remember, 

and remember more than I have seen.

-Benjamin Disraeli