Gooseberry Falls

A second stop we did yesterday was to visit Gooseberry Falls State Park.  Located right on the shore of Lake Superior, the state park boasts of many walking trails, biking trails, and the ever popular visit to the falls to wade.  We were surprised at the amount of people who were there - on a Monday, very overcast skies, with rain threatening.  However, when you look at the close proximity to Duluth, makes sense for families to come and play at this park.  Camping is available however yesterday all sites were full.

No charge for just visiting the falls, so we found the last parking spot and walked to see what the bru-ha-ha was all about.  ADA accommodations so anyone could come to see the falls.  Once we reached the falls we saw kids and parents frolicking in the water.  Which I would not do because the water is so tannic from the decay of plant stuff - was very rusty brown in color.  Not my idea of fun.

Crossed the bridge over the Gooseberry River

Around bend ahead is Lake Superior

Lower Falls

Walked the path along the river to the cross over bridge, walked back up to the other side of the viewing platform, stared at all the people and then decided that enough was enough.  Pretty falls, we have seen much more dramatic (the one that we always refer to is Hueston Falls in upper Maine).

Middle Falls

Yuck, would not catch me in that water

Upper and Middle Falls

Gnarly roots of trees

All the people looked like ants crawling around

Stopped at some scenic overlooks on our way back.  Near Silver Bay we drove into a marina to look around and saw a tour boat out doodling around.  A freighter was in at the Taconite Cliff Northshore facility.  We got a 'huh' when we saw an exhibit there which showed the freighter Cleveland Cliffs displayed on the rocks in this harbor.  Cleveland Cliffs was a company formed in 1870 in Cleveland and today it is called Cliffs.  Small world for us two Cleveland folks.

Cliff's North Shore operation

Freighter in, tour boat coming out

At T of marina - remains of Hesper sits below

Rain was threatening so we trekked on home.  Good day outside.