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2025 Upper Midwest
  • The Wandering Walkers
  • The Wandering Walkers

2025 Upper Midwest

Summer of 2025 will be spent exploring the areas of the Upper Mid-West... Lue lisää
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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Railway TunnelHey ... there's the Jeep! 🤣😂🤣We were just on that peak!Made it the overlook ... nothing to see here!On our way down! There's Ely's Peak again!Which way do we go? The tunnel's over there!Mama and her baby! ❤️

    A Peak Experience (Well, Almost)

    1. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    **YES we are behind and working to get caught up!! 😅

    Today we went on a sweet little 3.75-mile hike to Ely’s Peak, one of Duluth’s hidden gems for anyone who enjoys a good view. Not a terribly long hike, but one with some good elevation (for the area) and lots to see and a cool old rail tunnel (DWP Trail).

    On the other side of the tunnel, we came across a group of kids rock climbing—looked like an adventure camp. It was honestly impressive watching the older teens or young adults leading the charge, patiently reminding the kids of their climbing tips as they scaled the rock wall. Felt like we were watching little mountain goats in training.

    Once at Ely’s Peak it offered the kind of view that makes you stop, breathe deep and just take it all in. Towering just under 1,200 feet, it gives sweeping views of the St. Louis River valley—the perfect time for a scenic snack break.

    Feeling ambitious, we pushed on to Ely’s Peak Overlook… which turned out to be more of an Ely’s Peek. As in, a peek through overgrown brush with zero actual view. We laughed, shrugged, and moved on down the mountain.

    Not the longest hike ever, but it checked all the boxes: a good climb, a cool tunnel, some dirt on our shoes, and a few good laughs along the way.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Fox-and-Cubs
    Vicia AmericanaYarrowHarebellBird's-foot-trefoilWoods' Rose

    For You Flower Lovers… 🌸🌼🌿

    1. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    These wildflowers were pulled from the Ely’s Peak hiking post just for you (or for Beth 🤗), so the non-flower folks didn’t have to scroll past the blooms.

    They were everywhere on today’s hike—tucked along the trail, peeking through the brush, and basking in the sun.

    Nature’s little pops of joy, gently reminding us to slow down and notice the small stuff. 💛    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    A Toe-dip at Kitchi Gammi 🥶

    1. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    After the hike, we spent the afternoon driving and exploring Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore.

    One of our stops was Kitchi Gammi Park, where we bravely dipped our toes into the icy waters of Lake Superior—coming in at a refreshing 54 degrees. ❄️

    No photos of the moment (you’re welcome). When the water’s that cold, all focus shifts to breathing, squealing, and not falling in.

    The lake was stunning—crystal clear, breathtakingly cold, and totally worth the shiver.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Two Harbors and a Peek at the Past ⚓️

    1. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Onward up the road to Two Harbors!

    We made a quick stop at Paul Van Hoven Park to check out the old iron ore docks—massive and full of history. Then we wandered over to Agate Bay, walked out along the jetty, and took in the peaceful lake views.

    We wrapped things up with a peek at the historic lighthouse… from outside the gate. Turns out it closes at 5pm. 😢 Ah well—next time!    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Tacos, Cake, and a Sweet Ending 🌮🍰

    1. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    On the way back to camp, we made one last stop at BoomTown Woodfire Bar & Grill—because great hikes deserve great food.

    The Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos (not pictured—we were too busy eating) were fresh and flavorful, and delicious!!

    The Dreamin’ of Chocolate Cake—two generous layers of Belgian white chocolate mousse nestled between rich dark chocolate sponge cake, all topped with a glossy chocolate ganache. Moist, decadent, and every bit as delicious as it looked on this Minnesota state-shaped platter.

    A sweet ending to a full and beautiful day. 💫    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Stickin’ Around the Iron Range🏒🥅⛸️

    2. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    The Mesabi Trail—162 miles, 28 towns, and a whole lot of Iron Range history. With so many scenic stretches to choose from, we did what any indecisive adventurers would do: we picked a few charming little towns and made a day of it.

    First stop: Eveleth—proudly known as Hockeytown, USA and home to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Even in the middle of summer, this place bleeds ice. We swung by Hockey Plaza to check out the world’s largest hockey stick—because if you’re going to build one, you might as well go big.

    No snow, no skates, and no faceoffs—just sunshine, smiles, and a giant stick that’s clearly ready for a very oversized game.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Honk If You Love Moose

    2. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Next stop: Biwabik (pronounced bye-wah-bik—go ahead, say it out loud, it’s fun!). This Bavarian-themed gem in the heart of the Iron Range had us feeling like we’d somehow taken a wrong turn into a snow globe… minus the snow.

    Don’s been on a mission to spot a moose since we crossed into Minnesota, so naturally, we had to meet Honk the Moose—local celebrity and star of an award-winning children’s book. He was kind enough to pose for a selfie (he’s got great antler angles).

    And just when we thought we’d seen it all, there it was: the ski tree—quirky, cool, and clearly assembled by someone with a garage full of vintage skis and a dream.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Virginia High Bridge - tallest bridge in MN reaching a height of 204 feet.Water-filled Rouchleau Mine PitAKA Virginia High BridgeRouchleau MineThis one is for you Chris Taylor!1More lost soles! 🫣

    Iron, Lakes & Pedal Breaks

    2. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Next up: Virginia—a once-famous lumber town turned scenic stop on the Mesabi Trail. We decided it was time to give our legs a little workout (yay, exercise!), so we saddled up and hit the trail.

    We rode about 6.25 miles, out to Bridgeview Park for a look at the impressive Rouchleau Mine—a stunning reminder of the Iron Range’s rugged, hardworking past. Then it was a cruise around Silver Lake, where we were greeted by… not ducks, but a giant inflatable loon. Really?

    And just like that, back into the Jeep we go—legs stretched, spirits high, and still no moose sightings for Don.😢    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    1Iron Man Statute

    Chisholm: Mining the Past

    2. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Next up: Chisholm—where mining history takes center stage.

    We checked out the Bruce Mine Headframe, a striking remnant of the area’s underground mining past—and the last remaining headframe on the entire Mesabi Iron Range. It’s like a giant steel time capsule.

    We also cruised past the Minnesota Museum of Mining, where you can (supposedly) tour a replica underground mine. And we passed by the Minnesota Discovery Center, which looked like it could easily fill an afternoon if you’re into history, geology, or just pretending you’re on a school field trip.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Our Final Stop: Heavy Metal & History

    2. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Final stop on the Mesabi Trail: Hibbing—a town packed with history and heavy machinery.

    Fun fact: city-to-city bus travel was born right here. You can even see the original bus that kicked off what would eventually become Greyhound Bus Lines.

    Then we made our way to the Hull Rust Mine View—the place to see active iron mining in action. Massive trucks, towering equipment, and a view that reminds you just how much earth has been moved in the name of progress.

    A solid finish to our Mesabi Trail adventure—iron, engines, and a little bit of American innovation.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Duluth Aerial Lift BridgeBlue AngelsOhara Peace BellPeonyPeonySilver MoundBlue FlagSpiderwort😳 ... the hills in Duluth

    Sky High Views & Sonic Booms

    3. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Today we’re exploring Duluth…. We kicked things off with a visit to Enger Tower Park & Gardens—stunning views of the city from above! As a bonus, the Blue Angels just happened to be practicing while we were there. Nothing like a casual fly-by to make you feel like you’re in a very scenic action movie.

    For our fellow flower lovers: the peonies were showing off in full bloom—fragrant, fluffy, and clearly loving the spotlight. 🌸

    Fun Fact: There are 105 steps to the top of Enger Tower.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Boats, Breezes & Bridge Views

    3. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Off to check out Duluth’s Historic Canal Park!

    With sunshine on our shoulders, we strolled along the waterfront, soaking in the sights of Duluth Harbor and the mighty Lake Superior. We were lucky enough to time it when one of the large freighters was coming into port. From boats to bridges to breeze-blown hair, it was a picture-perfect afternoon by the water.Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Falls First, Then Pedals

    4. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Mother Nature must’ve been feeling patriotic—she blessed us with blue skies and sunshine for the 4th! 🇺🇸☀️

    We’re celebrating by cruising up Lake Superior’s North Shore for a bike ride… but first we decided to check out the falls here at Gooseberry Falls State Park before hitting the bike trails.

    The falls were rushing, the sun was gushing, and let’s just say—we definitely weren’t the only ones there to see them. OMG… so. many people!    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Agate BeachUpper FallsThompson BeachIona's BeachSplit Rock River BeachCove Point1Split Rock LighthouseYeah!!! 28 miles!

    Biking the Gitchi Gami Way

    4. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Time to ditch the crowds and hit the North Shore on two wheels—Gitchi-Gami Trail, here we come! 🚴‍♀️🌊

    The trail hugged the shoreline most of the way, serving up gorgeous lake views, salty air (okay, maybe just cool air), and some seriously peaceful riding. We pedaled all the way out to Beaver Bay (pop. 120!) and back—28.5 miles total! Beth was psyched… and her legs were only mildly offended.

    Bonus fun fact: there was a 20° temperature difference between our ride and our campground—only about 45 miles apart. That’s not a weather app glitch, that’s just Lake Superior being dramatic again. 😳    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja

    Camp Set. Let’s Explore!

    5. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    We’ve arrived! 🚐

    A short travel day—dry roads all the way and sunshine to greet us. Temps in the mid-70s… perfect.

    We’ve landed at a charming little campground right on Lake Kabetogama (pronounced KAB-eh-toh-GAH-muh… or, as we like to call it, Lake Can’t-pronounce-it-on-the-first-try). Just a mile from the Voyageurs National Park visitor center, this spot is our basecamp for all things piney, loony, and watery. We’re ready to Kabetogo explore! 🌲🛶🌊Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Duck BayMoxie IslandKabetogama LakeCrane LakeKabetogama Lake

    Cruisin’ into Voyageurs 🌈🚤🌅

    5. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Voyageurs National Park is almost entirely water-access, and we thought we’d missed the boat—literally. All the park-run tours were booked solid. Don’s Luck Strikes Again! 🌈✨

    At check-in, we found out our camp hosts, Jason and Sara, offer their own boat tours—not one, but TWO! An all-day cruise and a sunset cruise… and if you book the day tour, the sunset cruise is half off. (Let’s be honest—it would’ve been rude not to say yes to both.)

    Jason was our captain, his daughter, Audrey, the first mate, and we were officially cruisin’ into our Voyageurs adventure the right way—golden skies, cool breezes, and wide smiles all around. 🛥️🌅🧭 Pines of Kabetogama saved the day, and Don’s rainbow lives on! 🌈

    Capping it all off… Fireworks on the shoreline. Just perfect.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Our crew, Capt. Jason & 1at Mate Audrey

    Boating Where Roads Don’t Go

    6. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Kicking off our day-long cruise!

    We’re excited for a full day out on the water! As mentioned earlier, this National Park is unique—much of it is only accessible by boat. We’ll be spending the day with just one other couple and a fantastic father/daughter duo: Captain Jason (who owns the campground and knows this area like the back of his hand) and his first mate, 11-year old Audrey.

    First stop: Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center!    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Little bridgeChilling. This is a garden even Beth could keep alive!

    A Garden Built from Stone

    6. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Next stop: Ellsworth Rock Gardens

    Accessible only by boat, this historic garden is tucked along the shoreline of Kabetogama Lake. The sculpted rock art is incredible—just imagine how breathtaking it must’ve been when it was filled with more than 13,000 lilies (four varieties!), along with twenty-eight other types of flowers, both annuals and perennials. Once known as the “Showplace of the Lake,” it was a floral and artistic marvel lovingly maintained by Jack and his wife, Elsie. They acquired the property in 1942 as a summer retreat and spent decades bringing their creative vision to life. (More details in one of the photos.)

    The rock sculptures are full of personality and open to interpretation—what do you see in the rock art?    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Bivo Island
    Squirrel NarrowsNamakan Lake ... coming into Kettle FallsOh Canada ... we see you!Kempton BayAn active portage to move boaters from one lake to the next.Bivo Island ... see the nest?"Supermom" with her brood of mergansers!Namakan Lake

    Kettle Falls & the Slanted Saloon

    6. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Next stop: Kettle Falls

    From shore, we hiked up to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel and enjoyed a delicious lunch of Walleye paired with a refreshing lemonade “pinkie” from the bar. Speaking of the bar… check out that wavy floor! Incredible!

    A bit of history about the hotel barroom:
    Affectionately known as the “Lumberjack Saloon” or the “Tiltin’ Hilton,” the bar sits atop clay-rich soil that began to settle unevenly not long after construction wrapped up (1910–1913). During renovations in the 1970s–80s, the National Park Service corrected most of the foundation issues but deliberately kept the slanted floor to preserve its quirky charm. Even the pool table was raised and leveled to match the tilt!

    Oh Canada… we see you! But we’re looking south—how can that be? 🤔 (Fun fact: from this spot on the U.S. side, you’re actually looking south into Canada across the water!)

    Back out on the water we go, where our captain took us by a bald eagle nest, and we caught a sweet glimpse of a Common Merganser with a brood of ducklings. Turns out, female mergansers sometimes “combine forces”—ducklings from multiple broods gather into one giant super-brood, watched over by a single hen. A true “supermom” might end up leading dozens of ducklings, not all her own. 😳    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    Sauna insideSaunaElectric HouseLost sole!Inside the Electric House

    Echoes on I.W. Stevens Island

    6. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Next stop: I.W. Stevens Island

    Hidden among the pines and waters of Kabetogama, I.W. Stevens Island feels like a time capsule—part wilderness, part memory. Established in the early 1900s by Isaac W. “Steve” Stevens, the island was once a peaceful retreat for vacationers seeking northern charm and solitude.

    Stevens lived here for nearly 50 years, running a one-man resort called Pine Cove before retiring and spending another two decades alone on the island, deeply connected to the land.

    Exploring the island today, we could still feel his presence. An old wood-fired sauna rests quietly beneath birch and pine, its barrel stove and hand-hewn benches whispering stories of summer evenings spent in quiet, steamy solitude.

    Nearby stands the “Electric House”—a modest structure that once held a generator, bringing rare modern power to this remote island. Though the equipment is gone and wires hang loosely from the rafters, it remains a small monument to Stevens’ quiet ingenuity.

    Scattered elsewhere on the island are weathered guest cabins, gradually giving way to the forest; which hint at summers long past—filled with laughter, lakeside naps, and card games at dusk.

    Not far from the path, a charred stone fireplace sits out in the open—perhaps once a gathering place for campers under the stars. Just beyond it, the main cabin, now in the process of being restored, offers a beautiful view of the lake, with a small point and bench nearby for taking it all in.

    This island is more than an abandoned resort—it’s a story still being told in pine needles, still water, and the creak of old wood in the wind. I.W. Stevens may be gone, but his dream lingers gently in every corner.    Lue lisää

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  • The Wandering Walkers2025 Upper MidwestMatkaaja
    View of the Ice House as we approach.
    CabinMess Hall?Inside the Mess HallIce HouseThe Ice House - where they kept ice all summer!

    Where Pines Whisper and Ice Lasts

    6. heinäkuuta 2025, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Next stop: Hoist Bay

    Tucked along the southern shore of Namakan Lake, Hoist Bay offers a fascinating glimpse into two distinct eras: the logging heyday of Camp 75 and the later Monson family summer resort.

    In the early 1900s, Hoist Bay was home to Logging Camp 75, part of the Virginia & Rainy Lake Lumber Company. A steam‑powered hoist lifted logs out of the water and onto rail cars via a trestle—more than 13.5 million board feet of white and red pine passed through over 16 years, until operations ceased in 1929.

    In 1939 Ted and Fern Monson breathed new life into the property, transforming it into a summer resort. Between 1939 and 1945 they built four guest cabins (later expanding to 14 structures—including an ice house, root cellar, mess hall, and more), many with electricity and indoor baths added in the 1950s. The resort operated nearly every summer until 1973, with only a brief pause during World War II.

    🌲 What We Saw
    • Several cabins
    • Boathouse
    • Monsons’ 1940s ice house—built from salvaged logs and insulated with cedar shavings and sawdust. Blocks of ice harvested in winter reportedly lasted two summers.
    • Mess hall (assumed): A larger footprint structure seemed to serve as the resort’s central gathering space.
    • Railroad pilings: The lake still reveals the piers of the old railroad trestle and remnants of the hoist machinery—a powerful echo of the logging era.

    It’s easy to imagine docked boats, children running between cabins, meals served in the mess hall, and evenings around that icehouse keeping fresh cold drinks in hand. Now, Hoist Bay is maintained as a day‑use historic destination with picnic tables, a dock, and a vault toilet—but it still feels like stepping into the pages of history.    Lue lisää

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