I am surprised how many people who live in the Twin Cities have not been to the North Shore. I believe it is the best escape and such a healing factor in our world of lists and got to go.
My husband I are fortunate we have a job and an empty nester home where we can take off to escape at unconventional times. As the rest of the world was coming back to the metro area after Labor Day, we were driving north to smell the pine trees and feel the cool air.
We have a ritual. First we stop at Tobey's in Hinckley. Their cinnamon rolls will give you a sugar rush that will last for days. You must share one as soon you will be walking and burning off the calories. Then onto Duluth. It has been less than 2 1/2 hours from home and we feel like we have left the state. As you come over the hill of 35W you are in awe as Lake Superior waits for you. It is the largest, fresh water body in the world. Here is it home to a major port. We go directly to Canal Park and walk the dog and see the lake. Most times a freighter will come through the canal. This is where our children learned to skip rocks. I do some shopping, after all I have grand children, and Charles will get his ice cream cone. This is home to Grandma's Marathon but it is quiet now compared to then. We load back into the car and drive onto Two Harbors. This is the founding location for 3M. This lazy town is a small port city and there are fun things to see and eat here. There is a rock shop that Charles has to stop at. Located outside of town are several first class resorts. From then on every so many miles we stop to see mother nature a work with a stream, waterfalls, or rock formation.
This trip we went up to Tofte which is about 5 hours from the cities. We rented a town house on the lake and sat, read, sat, stared at the lake, then got ourselves up and went hiking, napped, looked at the lake some more, and the days just went too quickly. We started to see the leaves on the trees change color. We were amazed by a big turtle that crossed the road in front of us as we hiked. He was twice the size of a dinner plate. Hiding in the woods were many animals watching us. We never tire of this place.
You must go. It is not far and it does not need to be costly. You can camp, go to a Mom and Pop's resort, or be pampered at a first class lodge. No matter where you stay the effect is the same, you find a rock and stare at the lake. The waves are comforting, the largess of the lake puts you in awe, and you find that center in yourself that you have been missing.
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