Last week Jon and I headed up to the north shore of Lake Superior to check out the fall colors. We went simply because we had the time and the weather for the week looked good. Besides spending time in one of my favorite places I wanted to take a short trip to see how I would do with the new hip joint now that I’m mostly recovered from surgery.
Fall on the North Shore
It was a great trip! While I’m still not out hiking for miles and miles, I was able to get out for many half hour walks and spend time making photographs as well as simply taking in the stunning beauty all around. What a difference my new hip joint made! This trip was so much better than the trip we made up north last year. I am feeling so grateful that I can walk without pain again. Needless to say, I’m thrilled with this new hip of mine!
And I love it up on the north shore! I can enjoy lakes, forest, rocks, and beauty everywhere I look! Nature takes forms in the north land that are endlessly fascinating to me. Fall is a perfect time to visit northern Minnesota. The weather is still nice enough to enjoy and most of the mosquitoes are long gone.
“The multiplicity of forms! The hummingbird, the fox, the raven, the sparrow hawk, the otter, the dragonfly, the water lily! And on and on. It must be a great disappointment to God if we are not dazzled at least ten times a day.”
―
New (to me) State Parks
We visited two state parks that we’ve never been to before — George H. Crosby Manitou State Park and Jay Cooke State Park. Hiking at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park reminded me a lot of my time near Ely, Minnesota. Two and a half years ago I spent almost 3 months photographing the north woods there. I felt as if I was seeing the same kinds of wild altars in these woods. It was lovely to remember my time up in Ely. As I walked on the path beside Benson Lake I found myself slowing down to notice every tiny object on the forest floor. Beauty everywhere, even under my feet!
“Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.”
―
Our visit to Jay Cooke State Park was accidental. We were driving home on a back highway south of Duluth when we saw a sign that said, “State Park” with an arrow pointing to the right. So we decided on the spur of the moment to go explore and found Jay Cooke State Park. We were totally enchanted by Jay Cooke State Park. The geology of that area is fascinating and the views of the falls and the St. Louis River are stunning. We loved the drive to the park. It was like driving in the mountains. The colors and views were spectacular! I plan to return to Jay Cooke State Park again in other seasons, but I think that fall will be my favorite time of year to visit.
You can take a look at my favorite photos from the trip in the gallery below. Click on any photo to see a larger version of it.
May you walk in beauty.
0 Comments