Collective memoirs of a camping Junkie: 2011

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Great fall campout

What would autumn be like without taking a trip to the North Shore for fall color viewing? Uneventful! A last minute decision to camp along the North Shore this weekend was just what I needed! I knew that having no reservations at any of the state parks would mean I would need to seek elsewhere for a campsite, at least for Saturday. Good thing I had my trusty "Complete guide to Camping in Minnesota" book handy, to help me along the way!

After doing some reading in my book, I read about a State Forest campground that sounded quite nice. 22.0 miles inland from Hwy 61 off of Hwy 2, led me down a windy gravel road to the destination above; Sawbill Lake, and Sawbill Campground. Serenity at it's best, the sites were nestled along the lake's edge, with plenty of peace and quiet to de-stress and relax!

Day two led me to a familiar campsite (same exact one as in August!) in the Tettegouche State Park campground. What better way to wind down the evening after a day's hike to the summit of Eagle Mountain than to sit and watch the sunset (and the moon rise) along the shoreline of a calm Lake Superior.

Though day three meant traveling back home, I wasn't going to let my journey end without stopping along Pebble Beach near the Split Rock Lighthouse in Split Rock State Park. Though terribly windy (and chilly!) along the shore, I was still able to enjoy a pleasant hike along the rocky shoreline, collecting flat, smooth rocks, and capturing photographs of the lighthouse. And of course, viewing all the spectacular fall colors all the while!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

At first sight- Kakabeka Falls in Canada

At first glance coming down the walkway to the falls, I only see a side glimpse of them. "They aren't so big", I claim.

Side view of the Falls

Full view of the falls.

Then I reach the full frontal view. Whoa. These falls are massive! The water rushes rapidly and loudly, before plummeting a long distance down the vertical cliff of rock. No wonder why they call it the Niagara of the North. How amazing to watch the water crash, then lazily drifts down the river to the other side.