Experiencing the Gales of November...

Lyrice form Gordon Lightfoots, "The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

"The Legend lives on from the Chippewa on down

of the big lake they call Glitch Gumee

Superior, they said, never gives up her dead

When the gales of November come early"

Rick and I got to experiance the "Gales of November" as we visited the North Shore a few weeks ago.

We happened to to be there on November 10th, the anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. 

 

 Lake Superior was angry, pounding the shore with a force I had never seem in all the times we have visited the North Shore. The sound of the giant waves crashing in the the rocks below our cabin was eerie, the best I can descibe it was like a loud boom. 

Some of the waves we saw coming in we guessed to be 10 -12 feet high.

A camera can not bring in the depth or magnificence of what we 

heard with our ears and saw with our eyes

I could have sat all day on our balcony and just watched... it was spectacular.

Away from the lake one afternoon, Rick and I did some hiking in  Gooseberry State Park

It was a beautiful afternoon to enjoy nature with this guy

A look from the back side of our cabin #4 . 

We love staying at Breezy Point Cabins on Superior,

It was our 4th time... Our Go-to place between Two Harbors and Duluth. 

A look northeast from our deck

Our get-away to the North Shore was relaxing and good for the soul. 

We left the day after we buried Dad...

There was a peace of mind in knowing Dad was now free of this world, and a weight lifted 

off my shoulders as I no longer had to watch him endure the wrath of Dementia. 

Arizona get-away (part 1)

About every 5 years Rick and I take a trip to mark our Anniversary, this year will be our 40th in April.

We have been wanting to go visit Rick's aunt & uncle for awhile now so we finally made it happen.

Mesa Arizona was our destination.

Flying into Phoenix

Our first day we were already out exploring with Wayne & Jo Anne, 

they are fun and had great places to show us.

Like wild horses in the desert...they were having a rest.

We visited Goldfield, once a bustling gold mining town, it was eventually abandoned

it's an authentic ghost town brought back to life. 

It's located near the foothills of "Superstition Mountain"

The old church

Later that day Rick and I headed to Superstion Mountain for a hike

The Arizona heat was turned up for our trip, but only in the low 80's on this day

The desert is a beautiful place

Love this red color Cactus

We hiked for about an hour, it was an easy trail and fun to get so close to the mountain.

Part of our plan was to visit some other friends/family that we love.

Judy is our dear friend, her and husband John owned a cabin close to ours. John passed away in February, and we miss him so much, it still doesnt seem real! 

It was so good to spend time with Judy a few times during the week. Love you Judy <3

We also got to spend quality time with Rick's Cousin Christy, her husband David and son Austin. Christy is Wayne and JoAnne's daughter. This was at "Top Golf", Some of the guys hit golf balls, the rest of us watched and visited, we even had dinner there.

Christy & David also had us over to there beautiful home for dinner one night.

There's some big Cacti in the Arizona desert

Every corner we turn shows us more beauty.

Rick and I tool another hiking adventure in the Catalina Mountain foothills.

We hiked Bear Canyon which was a more moderate intense hike. 

It was a day later and now in the mid 90's....whew.

I'll have another post soon, be looking for Part 2 of our Arizona trip

You cant leave this place without your hands full ....

Rick and I recently took a little road, we don't always know where we'll end up, we just start driving. 

This time we headed "toward the river" meaning the Mississippi.

Across "the river" from Wabasha MN, we cross into Wisconsin to a little village called Nelson.

I think most folks from southern Minnesota know about (and have been to) Nelson Creamery.

It is a hot spot and many will travel miles to visit this little gem.

They have a great lunch menu and they have a store full of 

unique cheeses, meats, wines and other yummy things to indulge in.

We walked out with cheese curds, a sharp cheddar cheese-spread and crackers.

Rick and I are not a wine drinkers but I admire the bottles that contain the drink.

 I especially liked this bottle and almost bought it just to have.

It shows a winter village, the image is actually on the backside of the bottle, 

so you are looking through the wine, which sort of magnifies the image...so pretty.

I loved this cute little nook in the dining area, a great place to sit and enjoy lunch.

I cant tell you how much I liked the wine bottles.

Have you been to Nelson Creamery, if so what are your favorite goodies?