10/02/2016 to 10/12/2016
We headed to Minnesota for the fall wedding of our best friend's son.
The wedding was at Lutsen Ski Resort which is on Lake Superior. It was an outdoor affair in the late afternoon. Remember, these are hearty, true Minnesotans, not wimps like us. It was a beautiful ceremony and a lot of fun.
It also gave us the opportunity to see the kids and grand kids as well as revisit Grand Marais, two of our favorite things.
On the way home we stopped at Pikes Peak - our second attempt. This time it was pretty clear of people on the road so we had a nice drive up to the top enjoying the sites along the way.
We were rather parsimonious in our picture taking while in the Twin Cities. Seems we spend so much time playing with the kids and grand kids we forget to take pictures.
The trampoline in the back yard was a blast for all ages. Even George bounced, and I have the video to prove it. I did not even attempt a flip but did a bunch of butt bounces. The only "sight seeing" we did Minnehaha Falls, which was lovely as always.
The memories will have to be enough until we get back up and plunge into the fun again.
Minnehaha Falls
Mist rising from falls
This is the forest primeval. Channeling Evangeline. English majors get it.
We liked the sun rays through the mist
More falls
At the bottom of the falls
Just an artsy leaf shot. Some color starting to come in the leaves
Quinn & Livi have birthdays a few days apart so they often get combined
Heather can pull off the best themes. All this in a garage!
The big kids were in school so we went to the zoo. Grandpa with his little minion
We love these sculptures made for climbing on.
Flying high. My grand kids are always outside and this is a great trampoline
We left the kiddies and headed north to Lake Superior.
Grand Marais is a harbor town on the lake and one of our favorite places. We took the kids here in 2013 for fun on the rocks.
Lutsen Ski Resort is just a bit south and west of the town but a lot higher up. True hardy souls have outdoor weddings in October - and our friends are definitely hardy. However being good friends they provide heavy duty blankets for us wimps.
The view of Lake Superior from Lutsen Resort terrace - the wedding ceremony was held her
George looking dapper. No, he is NOT the matre d.
Another view from the terrace
All dressed up - not quite freezing yet. That came just before the ceremony started
Our view of the lake from the wedding
You can tell the non-Minnesota folks. Wendy made blankets just for us
We had some time so we went into Grand Marais to eat at The Angry Trout
This is one of our favorite places, has been since 1993
Lake Superior from the Angry Trout deck
As we were eating this young bald eagle had lunch as well
It was hard getting any shots since we were inside and he was way out on the dock
You lookin at me?
Another eagle - a bit wet and bedraggled. Lots of bald eagles here
Just some pretty red berry things
The harbor from Angry Trout
Strolling along the shore after lunch. That's the condo we stayed at in 2013
Artsy stone shot
Lots of fall flowers along the streets in Grand Marais
Had coffee here - they do know coffee in Minnesota
We tried to do this back in 2013 but the timing was bad. It was a weekend with great weather so tons of people. That was not all bad though because we did do Mt. Evans. Wonderful alternative.
The road is paved now - kind of a bummer for us - but it is still a worth while trip.
The weather was not great, a bit chilly with fog in the lower part which we found beautiful. As we got higher it cleared, although it was really, really cold and windy.
I shot a little video of the drive up. It does not quite give you the feeling you have on the actual road but it is a little bit of a taste of what you can expect.
This is the Welcome Station - yes it was cloudy here
The mist in the trees did make for some beautiful scenes
Each mile marker has a different flora or fauna. Naturally I had to take a pic of the bat on
And they are serious about Big Foot. We did not see him - oh well. Maybe next time
Aspens. Lots of bright yellow aspens.
Yes we got a little carried away with artsy aspen trunk shots
The sky was brilliant once you got above the clouds and mist
We were enthralled with mist rising shots
The mountain we will drive up
More mist shots
This was like looking down on a cloud
A shot of the road going up
Note the mile sign in the lower right. It is a sunflower.
YEAH we made it.
From the summit you look down on the clouds. Pretty interesting
This is the original Summit House built in 1873
This is the cog railroad that comes up the mountain
It is very popular. A lot of people get off and mill around.
We loved the sign. Obviously one too many folks just did not think before coming up
U.S. Army Research Facility studies high altitude on human psyche and body
A vista view from on top
More vistas
I just liked the rocks here. They look like they will slide down on the truck.