Up North

"Up North" is Minnesota speak for the shore of Lake Superior or the Boundary Waters. Our whole family loves going up north and we made it a priority to get up there this trip. My parents and Jeff and Shelley's family were able to come with us and we spent 4 nights at Lutsen "mountain" at Caribou Highlands.

One highlight this trip was seeing a black bear meander right underneath our deck! We couldn't quite believe it at first but soon everyone was rushing to grab their phones. I grabbed my "real" camera but couldn't manage a decent shot. Oh well!

There were several waterfall hikes, time spent on the shore playing with rocks and throwing them in the water (Why is that such a fascinating experience, I wonder?), a chartered fishing trip for the guys on Lake Superior (where Dave and Justin felt so sick they had to return to shore early and the other guys caught 3 salmon and 5 trout!), lots of shopping in Grand Marais, swimming and hot tubbing at the resort, and game playing, movie watching, and Minecraft playing for the 2 boys (that would be Micah and Justin!). Oh, and the Alpine Slide! Dave, Justin, Micah, and MY PARENTS took the ski lift up and went down the Alpine Slide. They said it was a beautiful and peaceful experience.

We stopped at Gooseberry Falls and Duluth on the way home, both classic traditions in our family. So much fun! It was hilarious watching people play Pokemon Go at Canal Park in Duluth. It made for some great people watching! Nobody in our family would ever be that silly as to wander around blindly staring at their phone zigzagging everywhere. Uh-uh. Never. No way. #exceptMicahandDave

Cascade Falls

Justin and Dave, throwing rocks

Parking lot picnic! It was too foggy and wet to see anything but we still had fun.

Temperance River

Justin, watching the water from Temperance River flow out to the Lake

Temperence River

Justin on the shore by Lutsen

Just like the ocean (but better because it's unsalted and no sharks, right Kaitlyn?)

Justin and Elissa, enthralled with the rocks and the water

Micah, Abby, and Justin exploring a trail

Justin, Micah, and Elissa

We attended a talk on wolves; Justin volunteered to dress up like one!

Hiking on the "Mystery Trails" (literally...where was Jeff taking us?)

No problem, just move the sign and keep going!

The view was worth it!

Rainbow over Lutsen

At Gooseberry Falls, Dave decided to walk under the waterfall. Why? I asked. Why not? he replied.

Gooseberry Falls

The Upper Falls at Gooseberry

Swimming at Caribou Highlands

Elissa loved carrying Abby in her backpack. Abby loved it so much she fell asleep!

Kaitlyn, Abby, and Elissa strolling in Grand Marais

Agate hunting

Justin and Kaitlyn, still agate hunting

One of my favorite views from Grand Marais

Justin in Duluth

The famous lift bridge in Duluth

A groupie with my mom, Elissa, Kaitlyn, and me! A ship is coming in for a load of grain.

There she goes!