Before we leave Minnesota and head to New Hampshire we decided to make a little trip “up north” to Duluth and a scenic drive up the north shore of Lake Superior. This is a popular tourist destination for people in the Midwest and something we have done several times during the many years we lived in this state.

Spirit Mountain Campground, #27

The Visitor Center is at the top of a hill providing a panoramic view of Duluth which is on Lake Superior at the westernmost point of the Great Lakes. The sculpture, The Gate, (David von Schlegell) serves to recognize the importance of Duluth to the world through the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway that extends 2,300 miles to the Atlantic Ocean.

Duluth, Minnesota

In the morning we drove the car down to Canal Park. Here we can watch the Aerial Lift Bridge go up and down as the big ships arrive or depart carrying loads of coal, iron ore, and grain. The ship in the picture, the Cason J. Callaway,  a 767′ bringing in a load of limestone.

Lift Bridge

Walking around the harbor area is very pedestrian friendly. A pedestrian draw bridge is pretty cool.

Pedestrian Draw Bridge

That draw bridge opens up to allow small boats into a small boat harbor. The big boat in there is the SS William A Irvin, a permanently moored lake freighter museum ship.

Small Boat Harbor

Downtown Lakewalk

Crabby Ol’ Bill’s Food Stand

Downtown Lakewalk along Lake Superior

The lake walk has a boardwalk for pedestrians, with a paved bike path, a gravel path for the horse & carriages and at one point the North Shore Scenic Railroad. The train just happened to be passing by as we walked.

North Shore Scenic Railroad

Leaving Canal park we next stopped at Leif Erickson Park & Rose Garden to see some roses. We could see the Aerial Lift Bridge at Canal Park from there. The park was very busy with young people walking alone or in groups while looking into their smartphones. hmm Pokemon Go?

Leif Erickson Park & Rose Garden

Leif Erickson

North Shore Scenic Railroad Track

Continuing on up the north shore of Lake Superior we stopped at Gooseberry State Park to see the waterfalls.

Gooseberry Falls

Bridge Over Gooseberry Falls