21 August 2013 - Lake Superior

Today was an opportunity to rise early and join the sun in greeting the morning.  We were able to make it outside about the time the sun rose in splendor over the water. The first blush of pink was tinting the sky, then our source of warmth and light appeared.  We watched it drift through dawn clouds and stream a river of pink across the water.  We enjoyed a wonderful splendor with gentle breezes and warm temperatures.

After a nice morning walk in light drops of rain, we left to explore the north shore of Lake Superior.  There is an expressway leading from Duluth to Canada, be we decided to stray off that road and onto the side roads closer to the shoreline.  Near Duluth, the lake edge is dotted with estates and old homes, each of which has an unobstructed view across this arm of the lake and into Wisconsin.  We turned a corner and discovered a delightful candy shop, with delicious homemade treats and further along a Scandinavian gift shop.  We spent time looking around, but most of all talking with the shop owners about what to do and see, food and crafts.  We bought some wild rice to fix at home and some memory items.

Further along we passed streams flowing into the lake, creating waterfalls and small beaches.  The area is resting on a deep, old lava flow which drops off into the water with sharp cliffs .  One rocky point was the site of a tragic ship sinking in 1906 during one of the terrible winter storms, so a lighthouse was built to warn ships.  It has become a landmark.

We eventually turned about and returned to our hotel and watched the lake turn from a uniform morning gray to bright blue.  As we left to go to dinner, a full flotilla of sailboats emerged under the bridge and scattered onto the lake, raising sails and spreading out in all directions.  It has been a beautiful stay in Duluth.