God's Country

Have continued to enjoy the time with out of state relatives. This week, I've gotten to play tour guide, dragging my mom and niece to places I love in the Northern Minnesota area.

Tuesday we traveled north west and visited the Tower Soudan Under Ground Mine. It always amazes me being so far under ground; I can not even begin to imagine what it must have been like to work there. After our visit at the mine, we continued our drive further into the wilderness with a quick stop in Ely before returning home to Duluth.

Wednesday we drove north east with a drive up the North Shore. Our first stop was at a LBS (local bead store) for some beads. I wanted to find something to match my new top and settled upon some green chalk turquoise. While the clerk was helping another customer, I helped myself to her tools and made myself a pair of earrings!

We continued our trip up Scenic Hwy 61 with a stop at a Historical Landmark, another quick stop at Kendal's Fish Market for some Minnesota Wild Rice before arrival at a LYS I'd heard about. Playing With Yarn is a rather small shop with a ton of yarn, pattern books, and other fiber paraphernalia. I was on overload as there was just too much in such a small place!


After another stop for lunch, we arrived at our destination: Split Rock Lighthouse. The weather was great! After our tour around the lighthouse grounds, my niece and I took the long walk down to the shore; my mother chose to stay topside as the walk back up is killer! I love taking family to this lighthouse; it is so beautiful sitting on that cliff. We played a bit on the shoreline, building rock piles, taking pictures, splashing in the cold water before heading back up the hill.

Today, Thursday, is our trip to Wisconsin and the "south shore." We plan to take the ferry to Madeline Island, then stop off at another LYS in Ashland to purchase roving and a couple drop spindles.

Another nice day is in the forecast; maybe this weekend I'll be able to take them to some touristy places here in town!