Today's drive took us from Bark River Michigan to Grand Forks, North Dakota with a few off the beaten path stops. Everyone knows how much I love those! My dad tolerates them, Robert complains- but we still stop.....and everyone is always glad we did (almost always!).
We are driving highway 2 out west which is overall a new route for us so I did some research on places to stop. Sometimes I just see a sign for something and do a hard brake or U turn to check it out!
We have to slow down through all the little towns along the way, but that is part of the adventure right?!
Crystal Falls, Watersmeet, Bessemer, Ironwood......
We got an early start so when we went through some of the UP, places we wanted to stop- Copper Peak Ski Jump and Stormy Kromer Factory, weren't open yet so we will just have to catch those on another trip!
When we got to the Wisconsin border we had already been driving for 2-3 hours. As we passed the welcome sign I saw a sign on the right for Interstate Falls. Did a quick U turn to check it out and found a 1/3 mile trail (one way) to a waterfall. Perfect for stretching our legs! After wandering on mosquito filled trails in the woods for a mile or so (wrong turns) we finally think we found the falls.....
My dad willingly followed and says the falls didn't look like the pictures! Who knows if we officially made it or not- a good break anyways!!
Next stop was the cute town of Ashland, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior. It was beautiful, sunny, and about 80 when we got there.
Of course had to stop at the dock (and swim area) built over the remnants of the old Ashland Iron Ore Dock.
The town of Ashland had some of the best murals I have seen. I have checked out murals in other towns- even Jackson near where I live, and while they are great- they seem so random. In Ashland, they were so fitting for the lakeside town and were a glimpse into the town history.
We spent a bit of time just driving and checking them out!
Next stop-Duluth Minnesota. We had been here before, but it is such a cool town and we were going to be too close not to stop again.
They have a wonderful downtown/waterfront district around the lighthouses and Aerial bridge.
The Aerial bridge that lifts up for the large barges to go under is a site to see!
As soon as we parked a good storm came in and after hunkering down for awhile at Canal Park Brewery we braved the rain to check out the bridge and waterfront area.
Robert was skipping rocks and running through puddles getting out all of the pent up energy- basically being a kid!
Next on the list was the Paul Bunyan and Babe statue in Bemijidi Minnesota which has a claim to fame of being the first city on the Mississippi.
Comments