Oh, those friendly panda bears…they steal our hearts with their dark-chocolate-drop eyes, color-block patterned fur and cuddly disposition. Please know that despite the sensational headline and attention-grabbing photo, Teeny, the bear we’re featuring today, is not real. Rather he’s a really special friend to a really cool kiddo…. Continue reading “Panda Lost & Found…in Lutsen!”
Category: Family adventures
Traversing Lutsen Mountians: Part 2
Ready, set, hike! Sharing highlights & a pictorial of the second half of July’s Lutsen Mountains adventure. Click here to catch the first-leg details of this grand loop, which began at the Poplar River and stretched along the back side of Mystery Mountain. This excerpt shares images of lovely wildflower sightings, towering forests and curious rock formations as we scaled the summit of Moose Mountain then descended, winding our way to the lower Poplar River. It was a Superior day with ideal weather conditions, so much to explore and even more to appreciate about the beauty that surrounds us.
Hiking Poplar River –> Moose Mt.: Part 1
Exploring a hidden stretch of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) leading from Lutsen’s Poplar River along the backside of the Lutsen Mountain range has been on Eric’s bucket list for a few years. It’s about an 7 mile circuit along the Northern ridgeline, and given we’re not über trekkers, we were wishing for agreeable temps, little precipitation and few if any bugs! We finally tackled the adventure last month. Over the course of 3 hours, several granola bars and 100+ photos, we made it back to 142C. Given there were so many lovely vistas and souvenir snapshots, we’re dividing this adventure into two posts.
Tobies Pitstop
Every now and then while moseying along to the North Shore — passing mile marker after mile marker — it only makes sense to swing into Tobies and take the legendary bakery up on its generous offering of standout goodies paired with outstanding hospitality… Continue reading “Tobies Pitstop”
Red, White & Berry Bars
Hello, ‘mallow fellow!
Destination Summertime
The golden days we’ve patiently been waiting for are upon us, already warming our hearts keeping time with the rising temps! With the flip of a calendar page, June is off to a stellar start. Eighty-degrees plus a double-dose of Vitamin D and breezes that tempt us into staying out side to walk the dog, garden and chat with neighbors with while keeping those mosquitos at bay… Continue reading “Destination Summertime”
99 More Reasons to Love Lutsen
Ready…set…soon cyclists of all ages from across the Midwest will push their pedals to match their mettle and barrel through the expansive, one-of-a-kind rugged trek that covers woods, waters and wonderland that only Northern Minnesota can deliver. Continue reading “99 More Reasons to Love Lutsen”
MN Mix: Take Me With You
There’s a mix of emotions in the air today. A year ago, Minnesota’s music legend Prince suddenly left a huge whole-note-sized hole in the hearts of fans around the globe. As I’ve been stirring up a quick Superior Trail Mix recipe for our North Shore trip to Lutsen next weekend, the radio spins all the favorite, fantastic and funky Prince mixes & music from past decades…I can’t help but feel pretty darn proud to call Minnesota home. Continue reading “MN Mix: Take Me With You”
Gem of a day in Thunder Bay
It had been on our bucket list (pun intended, friends!) for a few consecutive summers, seeking some hands-on adventure at an amethyst quarry near Thunder Bay, Ontario. With or without kiddos, do consider this day-trip option which will take you north of the border and into breathtaking Canadian territory… Continue reading “Gem of a day in Thunder Bay”








