Up Nort'

Lake Superior + Minnesota Wilderness

After one day for S&R to R&R at my parents house last week, we were back on the road, this time with my folks for a week of Northern Minnesota explorations,

which also meant spending Mothers Day with....

MY MOM!!!!!

Mom day in Grand Marais!
(Me + Mom)

First 4 wheeling in Two Harbors with Jaren

This past Monday (May 9th) also marked our second Anniversary as a married couple of kooks.  6 years together so far!  Go us!

We've had quite a ride so far, I'm curious to find out what happens next!

We began our journey in Duluth where we did all the required Duluthian things!  Eating ribs at Buffalo House (oh, how we missed meat smothered in American barbecue sauce!!!!), looking at Minnesotan animals at the zoo, walking along the boardwalk overlooking Lake Superior, admiring the lighthouse, taking a tour/sampling of Fitgers Brewery.  Good times!

Heading north we stopped by a few must see State Parks!  (Minnesota has some amazing parks) 

The fam in front of Gooseberry Falls

Then we went for a few days to an Indian Reservation/Casino in Grand Portage!  First time gambling ($20 won on penny slots, yay!) and first time walking along the border with Canada overlooking some gorgeous waterfalls and appreciating Minnesotan nature!

MN PARKS!

R meets Split Rock

When you're in the North of Minnesota, it's mandatory to spend some time with nature!  It's the #1 thing to do, because you're surrounded by it!!  With well maintained State Parks to meander thru at whatever level of hiking you feel up for, camping, picnic sites, well marked trails...it's hiker heaven!

We went to:

Gooseberry Falls - for waterfall watching

Split Rock Light House - for light house watching

Grand Portage - for Canada watching

Judge C.R. Magney  - for cliff wandering overlooking a raging river rapids

Grand Portage State Park (middle Pigeon Falls)

What I'm amazed at about these beautiful parks is that not only can you buy an annual pass and just wander in and out all year round, but there's free public working toilets complete with T.P. and hand soap, easy free parking, beautifully clean and sometimes cemented trails, easily viewable maps, pretty much all the things you don't find in National Parks else where's in the world  - expensive, dirty, difficult, no maps (unless you pay more) usually no free parking - even for your bike or moped and a working toilet that's free?!?!?!?  I like Minnesota! 

MN FOOD:

On this trip North, we were on a strict diet of Minnesotan food, which was a bit of a culture shock, but for me, a welcomed one....not for my waistline, but for my heart!

unlimited coffee at Betty's Pies near Two Harbors MN

Broasted Chicken (pressure cooked and roasted)

Wild Rice  - a Minnesotan favorite

Barbecued ribs - we had them with a "32 ounce"... Blue moon - with orange wedge...oh soooooo good!

Unlimited refills of fresh coffee drunk out of a great big mug!  How I have missed you free refills!!!!

American style rhubarb/berry pie

Potatoes (skillet style, in fry form, sweet potato fry form, mashed with gravy all over them, good god!)

MN CULTURE:

It's interesting how traveling for so long in so many other places has fueled my fascination and interest for learning about my own culture/heritage/family/home and how that has an impact on how I view the world.  

Minnesotans really love:

Bear Proof Trash Receptacle!

Hiking - not walking, not strolling, good ol' day long ventures hiking woodsy paths where you need a map, some sun screen, bug spray and a jug of water just to survive, and people love it here!  I had no idea how special and unique our hiking/biking paths are in comparison to the rest of the world.  In every city and town in Minnesota, you are guaranteed to find a trail of some kind to wander on.  

A deal - I'm pretty sure now it's not just me that's a 'cheap skate' in MN based on recent events.  If it's free, it's good!  We partook in a free brewery tour, train tour, zoo tour with lots of other little freebies along the way and we weren't alone!  I'm from the land of coupon clippers and deal finders...it's in the blood!  There is a reason why Costco and Sam's Club are so popular here!  We love a deal!!!

You're in MN when you walk by "Sven and Ole's Pizza"!

Ya hey - Believe it or not, us Minnesotans have an accent!  A big thick one.  I know you don't believe me, because us Minnesotan's like to think we talk like news anchors and everyone else has the problem, but no, we've got our own bit of twang goin' on!  I find myself saying odd things now like, "ya know?!?" (Chile: Cachai?) "ba-bye!" (chao-chao!) "where we goin'?" (vamos?) "how ya doin?" (como tai?) etc. etc. etc..  "gosh darn" (chucha!), "shoot" (mierda!), "holy - anything" (puta la hueva), put me in Minnesota and it all comes gushing out, more so now then ur' average Joe (Juan Perez)