Discovering the Sunflower Trail and Festival near Shreveport, Louisiana

Looking for something fun to do in the Shreveport area in June? The Sunflower Trail and Festival in Gilliam, Louisiana is the perfect activity! And guess what! It’s free!

The annual festival is held every June in the downtown area of the very small town of Gilliam. What looked to be about a hundred arts and craft booths are grouped in a shaded area behind an old general store. As we make our way through the crowds, I notice several booths with activities for children and can hear music from a band. We didn’t stay long due to the heat and what seemed like thousands of people. I would recommend going early to find a parking place.

The highlight of the festival is the sunflower trail. It runs along Highway 3049 from Gilliam to Shreveport.

 There are many fields of sunflowers along the way to stop and visit.

 The fields are perfect for taking cute photos! There is even a photography contest. As with the festival, go early to miss the crowds!

You can drive the Sunflower trail anytime in the month of June. Oh, and you can pick the flowers!

Gilliam is located about 20 miles north of the Shreveport/ Bossier City area and about 48 miles south of Texarkana, Texas.

Happy Travels!

Exploring the Charming Coastal Town of Grand Marais, Minnesota

Located on the shores of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota, Grand Marais is a picturesque town that has become a beloved destination for artists, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Grand Marais is also home to a thriving arts community, with numerous galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. Visitors can explore the town's vibrant arts scene by visiting the Grand Marais Art Colony, which offers classes, workshops, and exhibitions, as well as the North House Folk School, which teaches traditional crafts such as woodworking, blacksmithing, and weaving.

Artist's Point is a narrow strip of land that extends out into Lake Superior and is surrounded by crystal clear water on all sides. The point is named for the many artists who have been inspired by its natural beauty, including the famous American painter and illustrator, Rockwell Kent, who lived in Grand Marais in the early 1900s.

One of the best ways to experience Artist's Point is by taking a leisurely stroll along the Grand Marais Harbor Trail, which winds its way through the town and along the shoreline, offering stunning views of the lake and the surrounding wilderness. Along the way, visitors can stop at numerous overlooks and picnic areas, and take in the beauty of the town's historic harbor, which is home to a fleet of fishing boats and pleasure craft.

In addition to its natural beauty, Grand Marais is also home to a thriving arts community, with numerous galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. Visitors can explore the town's vibrant arts scene by visiting the Grand Marais Art Colony, which offers classes, workshops, and exhibitions, as well as the North House Folk School, which teaches traditional crafts such as woodworking, blacksmithing, and weaving.

Finally, Grand Marais is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the great outdoors. The town is surrounded by the Superior National Forest, which offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for fishing, camping, and canoeing. Visitors can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a vast wilderness area that offers some of the best canoeing and camping experiences in the country.

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Exploring the Beauty and History of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Minnesota

Located about 20 miles northeast of Two Harbors on Highway 61, this park gets it's name from the  beautiful historic lighthouse perched atop a rock cliff on the north shore of Lake Superior.

The Split Rock lighthouse is one of the most visited lighthouses in the nation and serves as backdrop for many popular photos. The lighthouse was completed in 1910 and was in service until 1969. Tours of the lighthouse and surrounding buildings are available daily throughout the summer season. Find more info here.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has around 4 miles of rocky shoreline and beaches. 

A beautiful black sand beach (Pebble Beach) is located just a short walk from the parking area. Several picnic areas are nestled in the trees along the beach.

A little further down the main trail will lead you to a beach area that is made of of beautiful colored  stones. This is a fun place to explore the coastline.

The vegetation in this area is mainly birch, spruce, fir, and ash trees.

The park contains 14.5 miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing.

Camping

Cart-in Sites

Twenty secluded sites approximately 2000 feet from the parking area.. Campers leave their vehicles in the lot and use two-wheeled carts provided by the park to carry their equipment  to their site. There are two wheelchair accessible sites in this area. Modern toilets and showers are available from early May until early October.

Backpack Sites

Four sites ranging from 1/2 to 2 miles from the campground parking lot. Two of the sites are accessible from Lake Superior for use by kayaks.

Reservations for campsites are required. Make them here.

Water recreation includes boating, sea kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving. Access to the Madeira wreck, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is available through the park. 

Address: 

3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road

Two Harbors, MN 55616

telephone: 

218-595-ROCK (7625)

email: 

SplitRockLthouse.StatePark@state.mn.us

Happy Travels!