July 8, 2014 (78th Day)

Cloudy and misty. Rather chilly.  Edith couldn't sleep past 6 am as she was still thinking about her momma.

Light breakfast was served.  We went to Gooseberry Falls Visitor's Center.  It had some exhibits. Then we hiked to Upper, Middle and Lower Falls.  Since it was misty early in the morning the rocks were wet and it was dangerous to walk on them to get close view of the falls. By the time we hiked to see the Fifth Falls it started to rain and the surface got very slippery, so we turned back

These falls are beautiful, are they not?

"I watched your camper van while you were hiking, so everything is ok"

Still driving on 61 going to Two Harbors, turned left for North Shore Scenic Drive, pulled over to the "beach" parking area.  The sky was so grey and we saw rain clouds over Lake Superior.

Erwin looking for rocks to build a cairn, but there were no rocks at that beach, only pebbles!

Eerie fog rising over the road

We followed the sign to the Two Harbors Lighthouse which is now a bed and breakfast inn.  It is a very popular inn and is almost full for rest of the year.  By the time we got to Two Harbors Lighthouse it started to drizzle, so we did not walk on the breakwater to get close to the lighthouse

Two Harbors Navigation Lighthouse

When we got back to the camper van from the lighthouse it started to rain hard.

While still in the town of Two Harbors Erwin wanted to check out 3M sandpaper museum.  This was the birthplace of 3M in 1902 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The rain finally stopped, so we headed back to Two Harbors Lighthouse, so we can walk to the end of the breakwater to get a close-up of the lighthouse.  While on way we saw a Common Loon in the water.  The Common Loon is Minnesota's state bird.

Because of the wet/damp weather we were in mood for warm/hot meals for lunch and went to Blackwoods Family Grill. Edith got a pot roast with mashed potato and medley vegetables. Erwin had chicken pot pie. Good and hearty meals and our tummies were happy.

We got back on 61 South to go to Duluth, MN.  Turned left to Stone Point Dr to get a closer look of Lake Superior, but there is whiteout, almost can't see the lake.

We then pulled into Old North Shore Drive 61, got great shots of old house with fog in background

Deer crossing right in town in front of us

This would make a very lovely painting!

The drizzle was on/off throughout the afternoon.

Arrived Duluth township at 3:20 pm.  We went to Lake Ave District, crossed the aerial lift bridge to the other side, so Edith can get close look of three pier lighthouses. 

Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Inner Lighthouse

Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Lighthouse

North Breakwater Lighthouse

From Duluth we took I-35 to cross Lake Superior to the state line of Wisconsin.  We took Route 53, also known as Lake Superior Circle Tour.

In Lakeside, WI we stopped by to check out the historic Davidson Windmill that was built in 1900 and used in operation from 1904 until 1926. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. 

Erwin started to feel little exhausted from driving, so we checked out a campground in Port Wing, WI.  Very cheap $12 with no hookups or $14 with hookups. We opted for one with hookups because we knew we will need microwave and may use air conditioning. The attendant told us to look for an empty spot, so we picked one, got settled down only to find that electricity did not work. We moved to the next spot.  

The store near the campground had wifi, so Edith took her laptop there, worked on and posted the blog for Day 24, long long overdue.

It started to rain after Edith got back in the van from the store. The sky looked wicked. Time for bed as we were tired from sightseeing and all the walking.