Winter/Spring get-away Part 2

Rick and I have been to Minnesota's North Shore many times and each time is just as wonderful. This time we decided to visit a few places we had yet to see.

The most spectacular was Iona's Beach. 

A secluded gem that I didn't know existed until I googled it. 

It was a bit of a hike to get to it and there were no clear markers.

It was a beautiful afternoon in the mid 50's so we brought our chairs to sit by the waters edge and relax in the sun. We thought perhaps this was Iona's beach, although I was very underwhelmed. There were a few pink rocks but nothing like the photo's I saw on the internet.

,

The shoes came off and I dunked my feet in ice cold Superior...refreshing.

Rick decided to explore a bit further around another corner 

up a rocky hill and through the trees further down the trail.

He came back with a great big smile on his face, he said

"your gonna want to see this".......

Iona's Beach,

there it was just as I imagined it to be.

It's just not the pink stones that make Iona's beach special, it's the sound they make (so I've read) as the water washes over them. When a wave crashes onto the beach, the rocks move against one another to create a bell or "tinkling" sound that's often referred to as "Singing". There were no waves the day we were there so we didn't get to experiance the sound....next time.

Iona Beach is one of the largest and pristine beaches in the area, so the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources made it an official Scientific and Nature area.

It's a no-no to take any of these rocks from the beach.

My very 1st Cairn, it's not as easy as it looks.

Happiness is a warm cup of coffee and a hike on the Gitche-Gami Trail.

Our 2nd venture was Agate Bay in Two Harbors

We walked the .4 mile to the end of the breaker to see the small light house.

I'm glad we brought our winter coats, the wind was brutal.

This is the big light house in Agate Bay

The Two Harbors Light Station is the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota

To read more about this Historic light house click here

Stay tuned for Part 3....yes there's more.

Winter/spring getaway... Part One

Our kids tease us about what would seem backwards to most... 

Our "get-away" in the winter is to head up north instead of south like alot folks do. 

We want quiet time, time to just BE!  We get that when we head "UpNorth". 

We do get out and see things that's part of the quiet for us, the hikes and peace of being the only ones on a beach in March. When we are at the cabin there is no cleaning,

 no "things that have to be done", we read, and blog, talk, play games, rest and listen to the waves... it's our place to relax.

We always hit-up Duluth first, such a pretty city.

Duluth beach was a perfect afternoon break, 60 degrees and sunny.

He likes to read, I wanna play in the sand.

We walked out to the light house and snooped in the shops then headed to Two Harbors

where our cabin awaited us...

This is where we stay

click on the link above to checkout this place

It's Cabin #9 this year, 

Everything here is quality, from the cleanliness, to the granite countertops, but still "cabiny"

The kitchen is small but has it all!

Living room is cozy with a gas fireplace, and great view of the ocean lake 😁

Big bathroom

Our bedroom, lakeside. We also have a 2nd bedroom, that's where all our stuff goes.

The view.

Morning sunrise

Monday morning I was up to watch the sunrise over Lake Superior.

For my 60th birthday, Brianna gifted me with this glass ball... to make photography fun. 

I saved it for this.... I love it!

Stay tuned for more of our adventures on the North shore.

More posts to come 

Lake Superior's North Shore has always been a favorite get-away for Rick and I. 

All the way up the shore from Duluth to Grand Portage is filled with "stop-and-see-sights"

The lake itself is like an ocean and sometimes has waves as mighty as an ocean.

One of my favorite photos taken several years ago, just to show the power of this great lake.

The Lake was a bit quieter a few weeks ago when Rick I traveled up the shore after spending a night in Superior WI. We had Visited the Bentleyville Tour of Lights the night before in Duluth

Ice starting to form on the rocks along the shore.

Close up of the Ice Rocks

I could walk along this shore all day long

especially with this guy and a hot latte in hand. 

Are you a lover of Minnesota's Lake Superior and North Shore?

 It's worth the visit, so much to see and do.

 

Winter get-away (Part 2)

Our North Shore retreat was mostly for rest and relaxation, 

to get away from the everyday going-ons at home...

Breezy point is our new go-to spot, we love it here.

This was our 2nd winter stay.

This is our view from the bedroom. 

Such a cute and clean haven.

We were able to take advantage of the (stay 2 nights get the 3rd night free deal)

We enjoyed lounging, reading and... 

playing games.

Our first morning was amazing...

We sat out on the deck, Rick read, I had my coffee and read my devotion

It was 37 degrees with no wind, and a radiant sun shining on us to keep us warm.

Besides sitting around with our feet up, we did a little exploring...

A popular landmark, Split Rock sits atop this bluff, it's such a spectacular view.

A few Birch trees mixed in a forest of Pines was the view from our kitchen window.

We also walked around "Black Beach" the ice formations were beautiful

Close up!

We had a dusting of snow the last morning

This guy made us breakfast

On our last morning, I was sure to be up for the sunrise across Lake Superior

It was spectacular, but never justified in a photo.

We've been home now for several days, but feel refreshed and happy to have had this time together, to get away from the routine and just be us.

Winter get-away (Part 1)

March 1st.... do you think of that as Winter or Spring?

According to some findings on the internet Minnesota Winter is described as 

being (on average) from Novenber through March, so yes it's technically still winter.

  Rick and I typically choose late February to early March to head up to the

North Shore of Lake Superior for a little R&R. 

Sunny skies and 46 degrees made for a fun first stop in Duluth

The William A. Irvin is a well know land mark as you come into Duluth

 We strolled around Canal Park and came upon this glass blower, 

 demonstrating how to make a vase.

 He knows his craft well.

Such a perfect winter afternoon.

On to Two Harbors area to out vacation cabin...

We stopped along Hwy 61 to see what we could see

 Lake Superior never disappoints...

Love the ice pile-up on the shore 

 Just pretty

Today we plan to get out and see if we can do some hiking around Gooseberry Falls, and whatever adventures we can find....  Stay tuned for Part 2