Scary Drive to Grand Marais, Minnesota

As planned, we were on the road headed to the Arrowhead portion of Minnesota, the farthest north east you can go - to the Grand Portage area and the Boundary Waters are located, early Tuesday morning.  Wasn't supposed to be a bad drive, only 300 miles, and only 6 of those miles were on an interstate (in Duluth), the rest on country roads.  However, by the time we got near Duluth I saw a nasty storm brewing, and headed right at us.  Our only hope was to cross the bridge in Duluth and get going north out of harms way as quickly as possible.

Crossed over the Mississippi in Wabasha for the last time 

The wetlands surrounding the Mississippi - was my biggest surprise

Hello, Wisconsin (for next 190 miles)

The Mississippi and wetlands are 4 miles wide here

We crossed the Mississippi for the last time in Wabasha, moving into Wisconsin for half of our trip.  Then when we got near Superior (Duluth) area, we quickly headed due west, crossed over the Duluth bridge, then started our drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior.  But, the storm caught us.  As we crossed over the bridge, the winds were so strong (in front of the weather - storm) coming in, that Dave said he had a hard time keeping the RV from getting knocked off.  The lightning started once we passed through downtown, and then we had rain all the way up to Grand Marais.  Pronounced Mar-nay.  In and out of small towns, fortunately we did not have a lot of traffic, just lightning and heavy rain.  First time ever we have driven in a bad storm.  And of course you cannot pull over - the main drag is one lane in each direction.

Very pretty farms and ranches - and they were big spreads

Lovely homes 

Amish population is quite large in this part of Wisconsin

Turkey folks - Jennie-O - factory, this is the only one in Wisconsin,
4 plants in Minnesota - employs over 7,000 people

We had tremendous lightning and rain plus hail all night long.  Was not in the forecast.  Locals say that this kind of weather is normal for this time of year.  Another couple of weeks and it will be a little warmer, still have storms come up quickly.  And they say - the population will grow tremendously by July 1, will be hard to move around or get into and out of a restaurant, will have to wait.  Glad we came now, timing is everything.

The Northwoods of Wisconsin, desolate

This trail extends up into Minnesota, also 

Nearing Duluth, Lake Superior straight ahead

Gotta cross that bridge before the storm comes

Welcome back to Minnesota, storm spawned tornadoes not far
from Duluth - after we had gone through.  Phew.

Along the North Shore, had to go through 3 tunnels cut into cliffs

Lake Superior - the largest surface area fresh water lake in world.

Could see Lake Superior for most of the drive up north

It took exactly 6 hours to drive the 299 miles.  I would say that was pretty good since we were in a rainstorm the whole way.  Found the campground (a city park right on Lake Superior) and after much talking with the staff, changed our sight to be here longer than the one week planned.  We feel there is so much to see and do.  We can stay until July 1 if we want.

Pretty cool tunnels 

We are within one hour drive to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota/Canada which is known for it's canoeing and kayaking and camping.  If we were lots younger, we could have rented canoes and with tent and supplies, canoed into one of over a thousand camp sites in the Boundary.  But, we will just do hiking and sightseeing instead.  The temperature stays cool - with the lake only being 40 degrees, the air temperature does not get much above 60.  Today it was a balmy 52.  And last night it was 41.  What a difference!  I will gladly take this colder weather than the heat we have had.

We can look out our RV into the harbor of Grand Marais, and at night we see the two breakwater lights blinking at us.  Hearing the sound of the pounding surf, wonderful!