The North Shore

I've heard numerous references to the north shore during the two years I've lived in Minnesota. It seems to me that every lake has a north shore but I've learned that THE North Shore is Minnesotan for the north side of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Canadian border. I have been as far up the shore as Two Harbors (27 miles from Duluth) but according to Jan, my housemate, I have not lived unless I've gone at least as far as Grand Marais. So she planned a 4 day trip and off we went to explore THE North Shore and visit some of her friends who live in the area.

As we headed up the shore from Duluth, this girl from the prairie was thinking that all the trees along the road were blocking the view. I learned the beauty of the forest is most easily seen when you get out of the car and walk alongside one of the many rivers that drain into Lake Superior.

The tranquil Temperance River that turns into a waterfall rushing through a deep gorge

 

Most of our time was spent near Grand Marais. I wasn't sure what to expect since marais is a French word meaning swamp or marsh. But there was no swamp in sight. Instead we found a sleepy little town of 1300 that comes to life during the tourist season nestled on the edge of a harbor.

We arrived on the last day of Fisherman's Picnic, a yearly 4 day festival. Jan wasn't very interested in watching the parade but I was glad for the opportunity to compare this parade with a small town parade on the prairie. For the most part they are the same but there are some differences. Grand Marais ranks high enough to have a Shriner drum and bugle corps. (The school band sounded better.) The sheriff department had not only the usual squad car but also a boat. The Coast Guard also made an appearance. However, there was only one small tractor. After the parade we took a walk out along the pier and returned in time to get a glimpse of the fish tossing contest. I didn't see enough to understand how it worked but that is not something we do in Iowa.

We spent the night with some of Jan's friends and I learned that the North Shore is an area for those with the pioneer spirit. They told of their daughter's family who is homesteading a plot of land that is one mile beyond the end of the electrical grid and running water. They are currently living in a yurt with their two small boys and the husband is working on building a cabin before winter.

On the way home I asked Lorraine, a native of Duluth and soon to be the 3rd person in our household, what the South Shore was like. I was surprised to hear that she likes it better. There is plenty left to see on another trip.