The 5-hour tour hike

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After logging off at Neptune’s Cyber-cafe in Grand Marais yesterday I walked around the harbor area enjoying the sights and the sunny fall afternoon. I’d have taken some photos but the camera went with the girls and Ben on the hike along the Cascade River and up Moose Mountain. That didn’t keep me from “snapping” some shots into my memory of small boats bobbing on the water and the slower pace of commerce during an weekday in the off-season. At one point, however, I looked out to the lake and suddenly realized that fog had arrived, not on little cat’s feet, but like an invading continent about half-a-mile out and moving steadily inland. Other than knowing that Lake Superior weather can change quickly and dramatically, I wasn’t sure what a sudden fog might entail, but I thought I might soon have some wet hikers on my hands so I headed out to the rendezvous a little ahead of schedule.

All was well, however, as their six-mile, five-hour hike up the mountain hadn’t taken as long as they expected. They, too, had seen the fog move in and climb up through the forest. Rather than wait for me at the pick-up spot they had gone to the restaurant at Cascade Lodge, about 100 yards from where I was waiting for them. We eventually hooked up, and they showed me photos from their hike.

The terrain around Lake Superior is rugged and dramatic, as the rocks try to stand against the combined forces of water and gravity.

Apparently there was lots of lovely scenery as well.

Girls in the trees.

Hey, that’s an interesting mushroom. I wonder what it might taste like.

Mmmm. Tastes interesting, too. Oh, calm down…what’s the worst that can happen?

Hey! (Photos by Uncle Ben.)

Sisters.

The Reverend Mother on the rocks.

Mall Diva and What’s-His-Name.

This fog comes in on moose feet.

Home safely in time to view Superior by moonlight. (photo by Tiger Lilly)

8 thoughts on “The 5-hour tour hike”

  1. I hope you have, or had, a safe trip home. My sister-in-law from Vegas was in town, and she visited her sister up in G.M. On the way back, they left late in the evening, she counted 28 deer between G.M. and Duluth; and one of them hit the back of her rental car as she was trying to navigate between a herd that was on the 4-lane between Two Harbors and Duluth.

    I love the Tinker Bell photo. There’s nothing like getting away up to the Norwegian Riviera.

  3. Nice photos. We enjoy your accounts of your thoughts and travels- and reports on son Ben.

    Sounds like it wasa nice trip up north.

    Materbird at 1606

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