Before we headed to Lake Superior, we celebrated the 4th of July at Moose Lake, MN. I was hoping by staying on Moose Lake we would see a moose, but alas, no moose ventured our way. Dratz! I did get a picture of a moose on a sign. Does that count?
We ended last week’s blog visiting with our looper friends, Greg & Helen, in their home state of Minnesota. Our visit continued over the 4th of July weekend, with more cycling and Greg arranged a fun lake day on a pontoon boat. After cruising a bit around the lake, we stopped for a yummy pizza lunch. Helen ordered a side salad, with both French & Blue Cheese salad dressings, on the side. She did this the day before and I thought it odd to mix those two salad dressings, but I didn’t say a word. Today when she ordered it, I asked the server. “Do other people do that too?” The server replied, “Oh yes, it is probably the most requested salad dressing.” Seriously? Is this just a Minnesota thing or is mixing French and Blue Cheese salad dressing the latest, best salad dressing?
Back boating on the lake, Greg found the perfect stop for a swim. Dave and I were concerned the Minnesota lake water would be too cold for Floridians, but it was a pleasant 75 degrees and we enjoyed a relaxing swim/float. Murphy joined us twice, once plopping in on his own and the second falling in backwards. Oops! Greg held him for a bit as he wasn’t too happy after falling in. Poor guy. We had a great day on the lake. We are so thankful we met Greg & Helen on the loop.
July 4th started with a Cub Scout sponsored pancake breakfast, a parade down Main Street, food trucks in the park (with scrumptious mini donuts), a band, and then fireworks on the lake. The fireworks didn’t start until after 10 p.m., waiting for it to get dark. Dave and I fought the mosquitos to watch the show lakeside. Murphy did great, although he did sit on my lap through most of it.
Moose Lake was about 40 miles south of Duluth, MN, so we ventured north on our last day before heading to our next stop. I wanted to buy a flannel shirt from the Duluth Trading Company in Duluth, MN, but they don’t stock flannel shirts in the summer. Really? That is what they are known for (well, among other things). The temperature was in the low 70’s. In fact, Dave was wearing a flannel shirt that day. I guess if you are from Minnesota, 70 degrees is shorts and t-shirt weather (actually, that was what I was wearing). Duluth is on the shore of western Lake Superior. As we walked along a beautiful lakefront path, guess what Murphy wanted to do? You guessed it, swim. The water temperature was 48 degrees, so I asked Dave not to throw the stick out too far. Murphy was unphased by the cool temps. Dave must have thrown the stick out 4 or 5 times when I said, enough. I was worried he would get too cold. Murphy didn’t seem chilled at all. We had a delicious lunch at Fitger’s Brewhouse (awesome fish tacos) before heading back to Moose Lake. I am still looking for that elusive moose.
Our last stop this week was to Little Girls Point County Park on the shore of Lake Superior, in the “UP” (Upper Michigan). The campground touts it is “rustic” with only 30-amp power (we usually connect to 50-amp), no water and no sewer connections. Dave emptied our holding tanks before we arrived and we have 100 gallons of fresh water, so I think we are good for the 5 days we will be here. Each morning, Murphy and I enjoyed a sunrise walk along with lakeshore with Murphy able to swim until he drops.
To end this week, we went on a hike along the Black River, which flows into Lake Superior. We were blessed to see four different waterfalls, although you had to walk down (and then back up) stairs to see the waterfalls. By the fourth waterfall, I counted the number of stairs on the way back up, it had 196 stairs. If each waterfall had about the same, we climbed a lot of stairs!
Thanks for following along on this year’s RV adventure. Till next Sunday…..
Where is that darn moose Brenda, Not missing FL summer Dave, Who says Lake Superior has cold water Murphy.
So if I had any doubts (and if I had any sense), I know why folks leave Florida in the summer time!
That is such beautiful country up there. Love the pics and thanks for sharing the experience.
You guys rock!
Wes
Fitgers is pretty cool, I hope you stuck a note in a crevasse of the rock wall or found mine. Stay cool!