July 3-5, Bwca

[John 2]

I don't know how I missed these Randy. Interesting story and nice set of images. You seem to have really enjoyed yourself.

[Manfred M]

Manfred-I did that tour 40+ years ago, I will look forward to the photos (hint, hint). My family would trailer up to the Algoma area from Michigan in the summer. If you are interested, I can recommend quite a few areas to visit on this side of Superior.

That would be great Randy. Other than the drive between Sault Ste Marie and Wawa a couple of years ago, I haven't been on the stretch of Superior from Wawa to Thunder Bay in almost 40 years. The USA part, I've never done, so that will definitely be a first for me.

All three of us are avid photographers, so any advice / suggestions on places to see would certainly be appreciated. I'll PM you a bit later on.

[rtbaum]

After viewing Devil's Kettle, we again headed south to our homes, showers, and beds. We stopped once again in Grand Marais and ate at another iconic cafe offering locally caught Lake Herring. US 61 has been rated repeatedly as one of the top 10 drives in the country. On this day, it once again delivered. My crew, sated by over-sized burgers and greasy fried foods, slept through some of the most beautiful scenery they would ever see. Brief description, imagine driving with endless Lake Superior on the left and steep volcanic highlands on the right with frequent waterfall cascading to the lake.

One of my favorite state parks along this drive is Tettegouche. This park has it all; backwoods, Minnesota's tallest waterfall, and fantastic shoreline. For this visit, I chose to take a short spur drive up to the top of Palisade point.



I love this place. It is one of those rare places. Ecologically it is a relic from the last ice age with plant life more typical of Labrador







Palisade point is also very popular with rock climbers


While laying on the windswept rock, I saw this little wasp



It's behavior is what fascinated me. It was seemingly building a nest. It would fly about 6" and meticulously search for the perfect piece of gravel, drag it back and place it with the other select grit. It did this time and time again. And I knew that I would be back.

One last shot before hitting the inevitable post holiday traffic jam.



As result of a particularly bad Lake Superior storm sinking many ships on the rocky coast, Split Rock Lighthouse was built. At the time the only access was from the lake and all materials and supplies would have to be winched up the cliff. Although decommissioned many years ago, it is still completely functional. The lens is lit once a year, on the eave of the sinking of the 'Edmund Fitzgerald.'

This shot is iconic for the state and has been taken by pretty much every photographer in the state.....I still love it.

[Barbara Ponder]

What wonderful photos!

[rtbaum]

Manfred- Beginning with the Canada-US border

Grand Portage State Park has Pigeon Falls, Grand Portage Historical Park

Grand Marais, Mn is a nice place to overnite. The town itself is quite photogenic and has several places to stay.

Lutsen area offers some fairly high end Lodges that may find to your liking

Entire drive from the border to Two Harbors, Mn is very scenic and offers numerous waterfalls and vistas. My favorite falls would be in Cascade River State Park, don't enter the actual campground, continue a little further to lot on side of US 61. Favorite vistas would have to be Shovel Point and Palisade Head, both in Tettegouche State Park, also easily accessible from US 61. Other sites that may interest you:
Father Baragas Cross in Temperance River State Park
Split Rock Lighthouse
Gooseberry Falls
Silver Cliff
Betty's Pies

After Two Harbors, the drive takes you through Duluth, kinda similar to Sault Ste Marie. A couple spots you may like; Glensheen Mansion has quite a story in recent times, but also very historic and lots of antiques. At the time you will be there, the hawk migration should be in full swing. Hawk Ridge in Duluth will be a good place to spot thousands of different hawks passing at the right time.

Duluth also offers many choices of lodging

Wisconsin is bit of a weak point for me as I am travelling through on my way somewhere else generally. I would recommend taking a close look at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Michigan is back into my comfort zone. Porcupine Mountain State Park is a large state park with more rocky coastline, waterfalls, etc. Lake of the Clouds is a popular spot to stretch the legs in the park.

The Keewenah (sp) peninsula may be a stretch for you, but you should find the terrain, old copper mining areas interesting.

The area that I wish to visit again is Pictured Rocks. When I last visited, the road leading through it was still native surface, it was raining, the road was the consistency of pudding. God Bless front wheel drive. It has since been paved and it calls my name. Miners castle and falls are great, Twelve-mile Beach, and the Lighthouse are all prime. As I recall the trees are heavy on the maple. Grand Sable Dunes are quite spectacular on the drive. I highly recommend taking the drive. The eastern terminus is Grand Marais, Mi. At this point you really are not very far from Sault Ste Marie.....as the crow flies. The problem here is I have always camped in this area and haven't a clue as to lodging. You may find something in Grand Marais, otherwise try around Tahquamenon Falls. Whitefish Point is another great spot for birds, scenery, and history. After this next stop is the Soo and you are on your own.

By the way, I figured out that Obatanga was the park that we would visit....after stopping in Wawa, looking at the goose, buying fireworks, and stocking up on Cadbury bars.


Tried to PM, it apparently was not operational

[rtbaum]

Thank you Barbara, I'm enjoying your work as well....now if we can just get Izzie to toe the line

[IzzieK]

Thank you Barbara, I'm enjoying your work as well....now if we can just get Izzie to toe the line

Impossible!!!! I have no rule! You two should toe MY! line instead, what'dya think?
(Hey Mr...I am just enjoying your shots here and your write up, don't ruin it, will yah?)

[rtbaum]

Izzie- I think that we are similar in the no rule department. All things considered, it was a fun trip; a wet noodle was not going to change that.

[marlunn]

Awsome trip and fabulous images, very envious of you doing this, my thanks for sharing a beautiful part of your country, ya dont get this in the 'tourist' brochures.

[deetheturk]

+1 to Mark's comments Randy, very well captured bud!