Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving.  It is a time to make great memories, spend time with friends, and spend time with family.  If you work in the hospitality industry (like I do), it is another work day with a large meal at the end.  It is also a day to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives.

I'm thankful for: an amazing family; friends old and new; pets past and present; being able to live and work in such a beautiful place; funny moments; music that moves me to the soul; the amazing work my relatives have done with the Hope for Annabel organization; the birth of my niece; the ability to play music with some great friends this summer; volunteers; Christmas with my family; learning to make lefse with my family; people who put their lives on the line to save others (military, firefighters, law enforcement, and medical responders); the honor to serve on the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department for the 15 years; 10 years as a host on the WTIP Radio Station; great stories; learning something new every day; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; canoeing and kayaking in the summer; a passion for birding; road trips; audio books; native plants; interesting geology; the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings; living in a free country; camping; scientific advances; the beauty of Lake Superior; great food; Irish tea; house plants in the winter; wind chimes; great hikes; Celtic Music; Classic Country Music; Gospel Music; Folk Music; Christmas Carols; Concordia College in Moorhead; great vacations; a passion for learning history; family recipes; being a part of the Grand Marais Writers' Guild; good movies, and so many great memories with my family and friends.

This list is in no particular order.  It is by no means complete.  I encourage all of you to make a list of blessings in your lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hike to Two Step Falls and High Falls on the Baptism River

The North Shore of Lake Superior is full of surprises.  I've lived near this Great Lake for over 17 years, and still find many hidden treasures.

I have been visiting Tettegouche State Park for longer than I have lived here, but always went to see either the mouth of the Baptism River, or Palisade Head (both of which I highly recommend).  This summer, on a whim, I changed from walking to the river mouth to taking the hiking trail inland to see the High Falls on the Baptism River.  Upon arriving at this gorgeous waterfall, I had to ask myself why I had never come before, and why I left my camera in the car.

A few weeks ago, I decided to take my boxer Ellie for a walk to both the Two Step Falls, and the High Falls.  I parked in a small lot just beyond the Tettegouche State Park Visitor's Center, grabbed the dog and the camera, and hiked the relatively long, muddy trail to each of the falls.

The first falls I came to was Two Step Falls.  There  are a lot of stairs to traverse to get down to the river at that point, but it was worth it.

Two Step Falls on the Baptism River

Ellie the Boxer Enjoying Two Step Falls

After viewing the Two Step Falls, we climbed back up to the main trail.  The two people who ascended the stairs before us were sprawled out on the bench at the top.  In my life as a naturalist, I am blessed with plenty of exercise on hills, so the climb didn't really bother me.  However, if you live a sedentary life, you might want to skip the Two Step Falls, and go right for the High Falls.

A short hike brought us to the High Falls on the Baptism River.  It is 70-feet tall, and is the tallest waterfall fully in Minnesota.  The High Falls on the Pigeon River is taller, but half of it is in Ontario, Canada.

High Falls on the Baptism River

Frozen Spray from the Waterfall

High Falls on the Baptism River

The path I took to these falls was a little over 3-miles round trip, and by many standards, it was a strenuous hike.  If you are looking for a shorter hike, you can park at the trailhead parking lot closer to the campground.

I am sure the hike looks different from a few weeks ago.  We are in the midst of a snowstorm in Northern Minnesota, which has already given us at least 6 inches of snow on the ground, with more coming down.