The Painted Desert: A Natural Masterpiece in Arizona

The Painted Desert is an expansive region of rocky badlands and buttes, encompassing more than  93,500 acres in Northern Arizona.

This vast landscape features layers of rock in hues of lavender, red, orange ,pink, and gray. The various colors are the result of the different mineral content of the sandstone, mud stone, and shale of the Chinle Formation. It is amazing how beautiful dirt and rocks can be!

The section of the Painted Desert that we visited is located in the northern part of the Petrified Forest National Park. Take exit 311 going east or west on I-40.

I would recommend allowing at least a couple of hours for the 28-mile drive through the park. The first part, north of the interstate, will be the Painted Desert. The rest of the drive is the Petrified Forest. Both have many place to stop and walk around.

Address:

1 Park Road, PO Box 2217
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Happy Travels! 

Discovering the Natural Beauty of Cascade River State Park in Minnesota

As the name suggest, the main attraction to this park is the waterfalls. The water from the Cascade River flows down the black volcanic gorge for a total drop of 900 feet in the last three miles of its journey to Lake Superior.

The park has 18 miles of trails for hiking. If you are looking for a short hike to see the waterfalls, a small parking area on Highway 61 will get you there quickly. It is near the start of trail and will take you through a forest of aspen, birch, fir, spruce and cedars to a beautiful series of waterfalls.

The falls are lined with green moss and fern that add a magical feel to the place.

Camping:

Camping is available year-round. The park has 40 drive-in campsites, 5 backpack sites, and 2 group campsites.

Winter: 

Check here for winter facilities and activities.

Hours:

Spring, Fall & Winter: Daily, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Summer: Hours extended.

Location:

3481 West Highway 61

Lutsen, MN 55612

Phone:

 218-387-6000

Happy Travels! 

Lighthouse Point (Two Harbors, Minnesota) Lake Superior

Located in the beautiful little town of Two Harbors, Lighthouse Point is a magical place.

 Winding trails through cedar, spruces, grasses, and wild flowers will lead you along the rocky shore of Lake Superior.

The high light of the area is a red brick lighthouse on the top of a hill over looking the harbor.  The Two Harbors Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on Minnesota's North Shore. It is a private aid to navigation and is no longer maintained by the Coast Guard.

A head keeper's residence is attached to the lighthouse. The walls of the tower are three bricks thick and the walls where the tower and house meet are five bricks thick. The structure was built with the safety of the keeper's family in mind.

Tours of the lighthouse are available through the gift shop.

Lighthouse Tours: Information

Stay as a guest  in one of the four rooms at the Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast.

Lodging: Information

Address:

#1 Lighthouse Point

Two Harbors, MN 55616

Phone:

(218) 834-4898 

Happy Travels! 

Exploring the Wonders of Gooseberry Falls State Park in Minnesota

Waterfalls, waterfalls, and more waterfalls is the main theme of this park! Hiking to, climbing through, or just relaxing by one of the many beautiful waterfalls is a great way to spend the day!

There are five waterfalls  located near the Highway 61 bridge and in the gorge. In this area, the Gooseberry River rushes over the 30-foot Upper Falls into a pool, then flows to the two-tiered Middle and Lower Falls, descends 60 feet to the last pool, and then runs through the valley to Lake Superior.

The lower and middle falls are a short walk from the parking area past the visitor center. A descent down several sets of steep steps is required to reach the falls area.

Once there, you can climb on the rocks and boulders and wade through the falls and pools.

 Continue hiking over the bridge to the other side of the river and under the highway bridge to get to the upper falls.

Amenities:

 Bathrooms, phones, water and picnic sites are located at the visitor center

The park has 18 miles of hiking trails. Park Map

Address:

3206 Highway 61
Two Harbors, MN 55616

Phone:

(218) 595-7100





Happy Travels! 

Discovering the Majestic Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota

Grand Portage State Park is a 291 acre state park at the northeastern tip of Minnesota, USA, on the Canada–United States border.

The hike to the waterfall is only a half of a mile and is on a part paved trail and boardwalk. Stairs at the waterfall will take you to three different viewing areas.

Visitors may see osprey, great-blue heron, eagles, otter, beavers, white-tail deer, black bear , or even moose while hiking in the park.

There are many different spices of plants and trees growing in the park. We found the red berries, know as Thimbleberries, to be very interesting. They can be eaten, but are very tart.

Sitting on the United States - Canada border,  roaring water plunges 120 feet over High Falls into the Pigeon River in the Grand Portage State Park.

Hours:

Hours vary by season. Check here for times.

Directions

From the town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, travel north on State Highway 61 for about 36 miles to the Canadian Border. The park entrance is on the west side of the highway, just before you come to the U.S. Customs Station on the US/Canada border.

Camping/Lodging

The park is for day use only. There are no campsites at this park. However, camping is available six miles south of the park at Grand Portage Marina and RV Park.

Parking

Permits  are required for most state parks in Minnesota.  We paid $7 for a day pass (good for all state parks) and it is well worth the money.  You can pick up a pass at any state park.

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!