A Quick Trip Up the North Shore

Grandma Kathy was visiting, and we decided to take a mini overnight trip up the North Shore.  When the decision was made that we were going to be traveling, I started checking out lodging options.  Since our plans were somewhat spontaneous and it’s prime traveling season, there were not a lot of options.  Then I remembered the historic Naniboujou Lodge.  I realized that would be the PERFECT place to take Grandma Kathy to, but I was pretty doubtful they would have a vacancy for a Friday night.  Dr. Peds called.  They didn’t.  But he had the foresight to call again the day before we were going to leave, and lo and behold, there was a cancellation, and we took the room.  Probably we weren’t supposed to have seven people in a room, but we packed the kids in on the floor in sleeping bags and went with it.  Despite the fact that it could have been a disaster because the room was teensy, it really went very well.  Everyone cooperated and stayed calm and avoided disturbing others.

I really, really loved Naniboujou, and I hope we can go back again, maybe even without lots of kids someday.  The setting was so tranquil and peaceful  The beach is wonderful.  I loved that there was no TV or phone, and no cell phone service.  I loved all of the amazing history of the lodge.  I won’t write about all the history here, but it was really very interesting.  I loved the solid wooden doors and hardwood floors in the halls.  I just love older buildings.  This one is roughly the same age as my house, and it just felt good!

One of the highlights of staying at Naniboujou was eating an amazing breakfast in the dining room.  It was so delicious, and the people who run the lodge are so nice.  I also loved the solarium and the notion of using the telescopes to look at stars, although we didn’t actually manage to do that.  There were so many peaceful things to do there:  reading, playing games, relaxing on the grounds outside.  We were there only a very short time because we didn’t want unruly, disruptive kidlets, but it would be so great to just hang out there for a few days.

On Friday we spent the day walking around Grand Marais and eating at some of our favorite places. After checking into our room and storing our stuff there, we took our kayaks to a nearby beach so the kids could be wild and crazy and not bother anyone.  After a crazy super of sandy peanut butter sandwiches, gritty cucumbers and blueberries, the kids zoomed around the beach and Dr. Peds and I took both kayaks out on the still Lake together while Grandma Kathy read a book.  It was such a neat treat to get to spend time together.

The brothers had spinning contests.

 

The girls engaged in grouchy drama.

On Saturday morning after our incredible breakfast, we drove up to Grand Portage to show Grandma Kathy the reconstructed fur  trading post.  We hadn’t been there for several years, and each time we go I learn so much.  We had an excellent time.

 

I loved the “toys” hanging from the Ojibewe cradle board.

The kidlets had fun dressing up in period clothing that various classes of people working for the Northwest Trading Company might have worn.

 

They were going for the stoic look.

On the way home we also stopped at Temperance River State Park and showed Grandma Kathy the gorge.  I was a helicopter mom, making sure no one fell into the river and overreacting at all their missteps.  More specifically, Mr. SP’s lack of careful hiking nearly made me WANT to jump into the river.   The scenery at that state park is so incredible and breathtaking, and so very dangerous.  We viewed the upper and lower gorges and cased out some amazing camping sites right next to the beach that I simply have to return to next summer.  After the sun set, we loaded up the van and drove home.

I loved getting to take Grandma Kathy on our mini-trip.   My Grandma Edna always vacationed with us when I was a kid, and I LOVED it.  Having a grandma along on a vacation just feels right to me.  Plus, she spent hours playing games with the crew in the back seat while we were driving, just like my Grandma Edna used to entertain me with her magic purse.