The Gitchi-Gami Girls

Fall colors were in the past-peak stage in Up North, Minnesota, last weekend. There were plenty of yellows but rarely any oranges or reds. Everything looked basically dull the first two days, but then Saturday, the sun came out and color popped. And my camera clicked.

A few views for you of nature along the North Shore ...

We had an inlet outside of our AirBnb that reflected some pretty colors when the sun came up. We had a campfire ring down there, too, but it was much too windy all weekend. And well, cold. Even though fires should warm you up.

Hanging out under a bridge where the Stewart River flows into Lake Superior, somewhere near Two Harbors. Kinda felt like a troll under there, but what a cool view!

Shoreline looking north. A smattering of color. And cold waves.

 

This gull fancied himself a super model. Wait for it...

Yup. Perfect pose!

So we other super models (haha) had to follow suit! My twin and me (R7 and R8).

Rachel (R6)

RoAnn (R4)

Rayna (R1)

Renell (R3) and Romey (R2)

I could see pretty rocks in the clear water but didn't spot any agates like Lake Superior is known for. I also didn't look very hard.

A wild mushroom makes a nice bed for a fallen leaf.

On Saturday we went to Enger Park where the Enger Tower was. I thought all along my sister was saying Anger. So our Anger Management for the day involved climbing to the top (yes, I did) and checking out views from there and around the park. Even with past-peak colors, it was still a gorgeous view of surrounding nature and the lake they call Gitchi-Gami!

Occasionally we'd see those just starting to change! Like barely!

A ship in the harbor. Not sure if it was the one we saw come in earlier that day.

Now I see why I was a bit freaked driving over that big bridge! Very high.

I think this is the land mass they call Wisconsin Point, coming out near Superior. Or was it Minnesota Point, coming out of Duluth? Or both?

Another loner. One single leave was willing to start autumn and the rest are holding out!

There was a peace bell and Japanese peace garden as part of the part. This is the river of pebbles.

Oh kids these days on their phones!

We also saw some wildlife on our wild weekend...

Finally a moose with horns!

And Sasquatch was hanging out everywhere!

My favorite colors were the sunset on our last night. No filter here. Just a color palette in the sky on Island Lake. 

Thanks, Mother Nature. The Gitchi-Gami girls were pretty happy with your work!

Holy Ship!

One of my highlights this weekend was seeing the famous Duluth Lift Bridge in action. It happened that on Friday while we were sightseeing around Two Harbors, we saw this ship heading toward the Duluth Canal.

I wondered out loud about what it was doing and my sister RoAnn rattled off all kinds of information about it. Of course, I thought she was having one of the LeRoy moments and pretending to know, but she really did. She showed me the website where all the incoming and outgoing ships are listed. And as it turned out, one was set to dock on Saturday morning.

I knew right away I wanted to see how a thousand-foot ship could gracefully glide into that canal. My sister Renell wanted to see it, too, so we woke up early and headed down to the harbor at 8 a.m. 

Later, after waiting and freezing with the windchill (not kidding), we realized it was coming in 49 minutes late. But it was worth wait.

I have only seen draw bridges in action, so was curious to see the difference with this one.

Basically the whole bottom zooms straight up so the ship can come on in, barely glide under and pass through.

Here she comes! Barreling in at 9 mph.

Even getting closer, it was hard to tell that it was as long as a train. 

Then you started to see more of it and it was like, wow! How long is this thing?! Yes, I asked myself that even though I new it was 1,000 feet by 100 feet.

Entering the canal.

Holy ship, Batman!

That is lo-o-o-o-ong!

And it looked like it just sneaked under!

And then had to make a sharp left turn. What?

The lift goes back down.

One more tiny boat goes practically unnoticed under it! Such a contrast!

So glad we went down to see that! Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in that northern neck of the woods!

Lake Air Bnb

Just north of Up North, Minnesota, about 20 miles northwest of Duluth near the North Shore, 7 sisters had a wonderful and WILD weekend by Island Lake. OK. Not THAT wild. But it was the 23rd annual sister weekend we refer to as Wild Women's Weekend.

Just to make people jealous, I suppose.

We have learned over time that it's best to get our own place rather than cramp our bodies – and sometimes loud laughter – into close quarters like hotels or condos. So VRBOs and AIRBNBs have been a good choice more times than not. This year... no different.

From the outside, we wondered what we got ourselves into. But then we saw the inside...

It was lovely inside – and spacious with large bedrooms with 7 beds (yes!) and 3 large bathrooms (yes, yes!)

It was perfect for our needs and we definitely needed the fireplace with overnight temps in the high 30s up there. Uff da!

And the nearest saloon was conveniently located next door. Convenient for two tasty meals, that is, and a craft fair on Saturday. 

Speaking of crafty... I can finally share the gifts I made for my sisters a month ago.

Using my new fancy-ass Cricut machine, I designed and made water tumblers for them. I put icons on each that symbolized something about them. 

I also made them each a dish towel that said: "It's a LeRoy thing. You wouldn't understand." If you knew how much us 8 kids are like our all-knowing answer-for-everything father, you actually would understand. They loved both gifts.

And if you ever wonder where the creativity in my family comes from (several of my sisters also had creative gifts and/or activities this weekend), here the is the carrot cake my mom made and decorated and sent along as a surprise for my sister Rayna, who turned 70 in August. 

Her "Low-Budget Decorating" featured carrot peels for the 70 on top of yummy homemade frosting. She's the best. 

It was so good – even for breakfast! Not that we have to admit to any of that. Let's just say there was plenty to eat this weekend. And it was all pretty darn tasty.

And we had lots of laughs and got lots of steps exploring Lake Superior via the Two Harbors area (above) on Friday and Duluth (below).

Thankfully if was sunny on Saturday so we could really see some fall colors. Saw some other pretty things – and unique things – that I'll share. But after an 808-mile round trip since I left here on Wednesday, I haven't quite had time to look at them yet.

I'll share them this week so I can extend the special weekend in my mind. Such an amazing area to spend time in – with my amazing 6 sisters. 

Living my blessed life! 

Parking for the Night

I've made it across the border and the first leg of my Sister Weekend is complete. 

To be clear, it's the Minnesota border. And I'm not parked here.

I had to take a picture because I pulled into the first rest area in Minnesota and couldn't believe it was full. I have never seen one with trucks parked in every spot and on the road entering and exiting the rest area. I thought something was going on but realized this could just be a usual Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Amazingly I apparently have only stopped at these in daylight. 

Uff da. I gotta stop thinking so much. I'm officially on vacation. Again. 

And excited to get it started early with my oldest sister Rayna, who flew into Minneapolis from Phoenix today. Staying at hotel tonight. Tomorrow we'll join the others.

And get 5 more answers on why there were so many semis sitting there!

Can't wait!

Seasonal Distraction Disorder

It's bad enough the weather is messing with our minds with the fall one day and spring or summer the next. Now we've got the retail sector rushing seasons.

Saw Walmart had its Christmas section started yesterday. Today, our local Pick 'n' Save had this sumptuous seasonal selection.

It appears we have Cinnamon ice cream (upper right) to go with fall apple pies and crisps. Then in the center, we have Pumpkin Pie flavored to transition us from October fall to November fall and Thanksgiving. Then, bring on Candy Cane (top shelf) and Eggnog (bottom).

And which one did I choose? I went with Pumpkin Pie. For now. And yes, I only chose one and cross my fingers there's still some at the store when I crave the next season.

I also didn't want to stand there too long deciding on a flavor. I had to get home and get a few things done. Packing for sister weekend should have been one of them. I leave tomorrow right from a post-work activity and head to Minneapolis, where my oldest sister is flying in from Phoenix. So yes, I should get my stuff in order.

But that ice cream was distracting (and delicious) – and I'm not quite sure what season to pack for. I can tell you we are North Shore bound (there's a lot of lake so it could be anywhere up there, ha). So I know to pack layers. And warm ones at that.

And everything else is just going to have to come together during Pumpkin Pie ice cream hour – I mean lunch hour – tomorrow! 

So Last Week

As I hear the rain on the roof right now, I can assure you I did not take this photo tonight. It was so last week! I stumbled across it while going through a senior photo shoot from last Wednesday night.

This is up in Biron looking toward Wisconsin Rapids. And it was a gorgeous night for photos of a gorgeous girl.

Every picture was so pretty. But then, now could they not be?

I had a handful of other projects I wanted to get done tonight, too. But my computer is still a bit touchy – and slow – so I didn't get far. that leaves one more night to get them done PLUS pack. 

Sister weekend is only two sleeps away for some of us! So yeah, gotta catch some ZZZs so I can get through this 3-day work week like a boss. But without responsibilities of a boss, etc. You know what I mean. 

Here's hoping all my productivity is so THIS week!