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! 

Exploring a Backyard Tropical Garden in Arkansas

 

What started as a love for palm trees has turned into a garden filled with lush foliage and colorful flowers. I was not sure how to pull off a tropical feel with plants that were cold hardy, but I had a vision in mind and set out to accomplish it. I have experimented with different plants and trees over the last few years and have finally found some that work. I wanted to share some of the plants that have been growing for me in zone 7b - 8a (Arkansas in the United States)  Hope you enjoy a photo tour of my garden! 😊

The Windmill Palm is the only palm tree that I found to actually be cold hardy. They stay green year around, even covered in snow. I have tried the Mexican Fan, Pindo, and others that clam on the label to live in my zone, but they don't! The Needle Palm is a bush type tree that thrives here. The only bad thing is that it has very long needles around the bottom!

There are three varieties of cold hardy banana tress that I grow are: Musa basjoo, Musella lasiocarpa or dwarf banana, and Musa velutina. All will die completely back to the ground in the winter, but will sprout back up in the spring.

Musa basjoo is the largest and least hardy of the three. The roots need to be mulched through a hard winter. I usually do not do anything to them if the winter is mild. The tree will grow 5 -10' tall in one season. Sometimes, small bananas develop right before the frost gets them. This particular tree is used in pots around the house as well as in the ground.

Musella lasiocarpa typically grows to 3-5' in one  growing season and has yellow blooms. I have yet to see a bloom on mine!😞

Musa velutina has white flowers that are quickly followed by very small,hairy, pink bananas. I have heard that they are edible and sweet, though full of seeds. They are so small that I have never thought of trying one! They will reach 4 - 6' tall in one growing season. They are very hardy and multiply quickly.

This is my first year with the red banana. I'm not sure if it will survive outside all year, but I am going to give it a try. I have it in a protected area near the house where I hope to leave it all winter. I will mulch it and maybe ever add some kind of extra protection. It is a very fast growing with very large leaves.

Crape Myrtles add a brilliant pop of color in the summer!

 I love my two sun tolerant hostas! The largest one is Afterglow. It dies back in the winter, but is early to pop back up in the spring. It typically grows 24 inches tall by 48 inches wide

 The hosta "Sun Power" has a standout lime green color.

Cannas are one of my favorite plants! I love the large leaves and beautiful large flowers. I have about ten different varieties in the garden. All of them will die back in the winter.

Tropicanna Black foliage is a combination of purple and black and has a red flower. It grows about six feet tall. It is definitely a show stopper!

Hardy hibiscus are a great way to add tropical flair. White, pink, and red varieties are my favorites.

Pink Oleander bush

Hardy ginger plants are easy to grow, cold hardy, and the blooms smell amazing! The variegated and solid with white blooms both are thriving.

Elephant Ears

Aucuba japonica, commonly called spotted laurel is an evergreen bush. It grows to about six foot tall and prefers the shade.

There were several Lily Turf plants growing around the yard when we bought the house about 12 years ago. I was not too crazy about them at the time, but saved them over the years. I am so glad that I did. I absolutely love them mixed in with the tropical plants!

I discovered by accident that Dusty Miller 'Silverdust' will live outside.. This plant is three years old and is huge!

The Cyperus Alternifolius Plant  (Umbrella Palm) reaches a height of around 4 foot.  It is claimed to be hardy here and able to reach heights of 13- 16 feet, but I have not seen this. It dies back in the winter and the growing season is not long enough to obtain much height.

Aechmea blanchetiana ‘Orange’ is one of my favorite plants. I fell in love with this plant on my first trip to the Florida Keys. I searched forever to find one to purchase. The only places they could be found  were wholesale sites and landscape businesses. I was finally able to locate a lady living in Florida that was selling them on eBay. It is very low maintenance and needs full sun for best coloring. It turns completely green when brought inside for the winter, but will quickly return to a beautiful orange when put back outside in the spring.

Bougainvillea and sun coleuses are in large cobalt blue pots throughout the garden and around the house for an extra pop of color.

Sun Tolerant Coleus come in so many beautiful rich colors and are able to tolerate full sun.

The black elephant ear is new for me this year. It is in a large pot that will be wintered indoors. I think they are supposed to be cold hardy in this zone, but my mother has not had any luck leaving them out through the winter.

 I hope you have enjoyed the quick walk through of my garden! 😊 It has been a battle with storms and insects lately, but I think I am beginning to get ahead!

The banana trees, gingers, and cannas are just starting to grow and fill in the area. August - October is usually when the garden is at it's peak!

*Updated Garden Tours

2019 Garden Tour here

2020 Garden Tour here

2021 Garden tour here

Thanks for taking my garden tour!

       Sherri

Discover the Hidden Gem of Naples, Florida: Exploring the Beauty and Adventure of Tigertail Beach

If you're looking for a stunning beach experience in Naples, Florida, Tigertail Beach is the place to go. This hidden gem offers a pristine white-sand beach, a lagoon, and an abundance of wildlife that is sure to impress visitors of all ages.

Getting to Tigertail Beach is easy, as it's located just off Collier Boulevard, which is the main road that runs through Naples. Once you arrive, you'll find plenty of parking spaces, although it can get crowded during peak season.

As you make your way towards the beach, you'll cross a boardwalk that takes you to the lagoon. This is an excellent spot to see a wide variety of birds, such as herons, egrets, and even bald eagles. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the lagoon on your own.

Once you reach the beach, you'll be greeted by miles of pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters. The beach is relatively secluded and is perfect for those who want to relax and soak up the sun without the crowds.

One of the unique features of Tigertail Beach is the tidal lagoon that is located behind the beach. This lagoon is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a sandbar and is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The water in the lagoon is warm and shallow, making it an excellent spot for families with small children.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a walk along the sandbar that separates the lagoon from the Gulf of Mexico. This sandbar is a popular spot for shell collecting, and you'll find a wide variety of shells that have washed up on the shore.

There are plenty of amenities available at Tigertail Beach, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and grills. There's also a concession stand that serves snacks and cold drinks.

Overall, Tigertail Beach is an excellent spot for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Naples' natural environment without the crowds. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the lagoon, or go bird watching, Tigertail Beach has something for everyone. So, if you're planning a trip to Naples, be sure to put Tigertail Beach on your list of must-visit attractions.

Location:

Tigertail Beach is located on Marco Island in southern Naples. It is a hour (57 miles) drive from the Fort Myers/ Sanibel Island area and a 2 hour drive (110 miles) from Miami.

Address:

430 Hernando Dr
 Marco Island, FL 34145

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri