Voyageurs National Park: The Star of the North

Surrounded by 10,000 lakes, summertime in Minnesota often means spending time on the lake shore "up north". Fishing, swimming, boating or just enjoying time with family and friends at a lake cabin creates perfect summer memories ... and are what draws us back here every year.

After visiting some friends on the Whitefish chain of lakes, we realized that while we had often been close, we had never actually visited Minnesota's only national park that honors and preserves these important gifts of nature. It was time to get Baby Beest back into travel mode and pay a visit to our 49th national park.

 We soon discovered why Voyageurs National Park is truly the Star of the North!  

This national park was named after the French-Canadian voyageurs who first paddled through the maze of lakes to find a route from the Great Lakes deep into Northern Canada. These adventurous fellows navigated through a series of lakes that formed a "water highway". They traveled thousands of miles in their birch bark canoes in search of animal furs and other valuable goods. In later years, this interconnection of lakes between the United States and Canada became important for the logging, mining and commercial fishing industries.

Today, Voyageurs National Park is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. Because 40% of this national park is water, and it has over 500 islands, it is best to visit it by boat. Unfortunately, with our lack of talent for planning in advance, no boat rides were available the days we visited. But we were content to see the park from the shore and do some hikes in the surrounding forests. 

Whether exploring by land or by water, visitors will be in awe of the incredible lake and sky views.

After exploring the park for two days, we headed south to visit the Mesabi Iron Range. This area, once devastated by over-zealous mining, is being restored into a bikers and hikers paradise. This is where we got to try out our new "stars" of the North ... our electric Bromptons.

A few weeks ago, I convinced Doug that it was time for us to join the crowd of e-bike riders. And we're quickly getting spoiled with how easy and fun they are to ride. While the hills on the Mesabi Bike Trail would have previously dissuaded us from riding in the past, we now thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns that make this part of the trail so scenic. 

The ride from Evelyth to Virginia, Minnesota took us up hills, around curves, and past some mine pits that now blend in beautifully with the water-lined landscape. It's reassuring to see that throughout the state, Minnesota's lakes and waterways are continuing to be the "Stars of the North".

 

From here we will continue traveling to the port city of Duluth to begin a circle tour of the great lake that they call Gitche Gumee. 

Whether by bike or in the Baby Beest, it promises to be a "Superior" time!

"No Blog" Means We're Having Too Much Springtime Fun

 

Did you miss us?

Well, since returning from Colombia in early April, we have been having way too much fun with family and friends as we enjoyed a beautiful spring in the Midwest.

From witnessing a total solar eclipse,

to celebrating a family wedding,

to reconnecting with dear friends, 

"No blog" just meant that we were having too much fun!

As we start to travel again, I'm amazed at how fast these past few months have flown by. And I realize that it's important to look back at all the special people who have filled those days with such joy. So in a nut shell ... Here are some of our joyful springtime moments.

The Joy of Nature

One reason to get back to the Midwest in early April was to witness a total solar eclipse in Little Rock, Arkansas ... it was "out-of-this-world" amazing!

Mother Nature threw in a "bonus" when we enjoyed the colors and movement of the Northern Lights over the night skies of Minnesota in May.

Bluebells blanketed the sides of the bike trails in early May,

and multi-colored tulips sprung up in city gardens. 

Trees burst out their finest greenery as the land of 10,000 lakes got ready to welcome all to enjoy the joy of summer by the lakeshore.

The Joy of our Furry and Purry Friends

While a pet doesn't "fit" into our current van lifestyle, we can still enjoy our "grand-pups" who are always ready to suggest a game of fetch with their favorite ball

or other enticing (and sometimes a little slimy) toy.

We got to meet ten week old Rosie, who is loved by her new family (and is learning to be very tolerant of toddler hugs).

Zoey became very attached to her temporary caregivers as we added "pet-sitters" to our resume,

although Callie Jo, the calico cat didn't seem as impressed.

Smiles abound whenever we could sneak in a walk (or a boat ride) with our furry friends.

The Joy of Our Precious Young Friends

There is often excitement overload when Baby Beest comes for a visit,

and new works of art are created to decorate the van's (non-existent) wall space.

 It seems like yesterday that I took our six month old godchild to a church concert. This time around, we were able to enjoy a private cello recital as she prepared for her high school spring concert.

The Joy of Friendships that grow stronger through the years ...

Wherever our travels take us, it's always special to reconnect with friends. From college roommates,

to biking buddies,

to hiking and Hardy's BBQ loving lunch pals,

to leisurely biking and B&B travel partners,

to church and Sunday brunch companions,

to a live music, pizza, and micro-brew loving little "sista",

to pickleball and picnic companions,

to shopping spree sidekicks,

to competitive chums,

to "our driveway is always open" companions,

to "how did we get to be so old" high school classmates,

no matter how much time has passed, our friends are always

up for fun!

The Joy of Family

The wedding celebration of our younger son in late April not only brought us the treasure of a beautiful daughter-in-law,

but also expanded our circle of family who just happen to share our passion for Rocky Rococo pizza!

Comedian George Burns joked that ...

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city",

but for us, true joy is having

too much fun ...

as we were warmly welcomed back home by our family and friends this spring.