Category
- Art 1
- Bike Rides 7
- Boondocking 2
- Capitals 1
- Food on the Road 1
- Hikes & Trails 3
- History & Architecture 1
- History & Culture 6
- Kayaking 1
- Museum 1
- National Park 3
- Nature & Outdoors 16
- Photography 5
- Sculptures 1
- Shorelines & Water 1
- Travel Journal 15
- Van Life 36
- capitals 11
- hike 1
- historic sites 3
- parks 3
- photography 3
- trails 2
Journey to the Northwest Angle
A quirk of history and a cartographer’s mistake led me to the Northwest Angle—the furthest point north in the contiguous United States. Reaching it meant crossing the border twice, mailing a card from the northernmost post office in the lower 48, and stopping at Jim’s Corner to check in with U.S. Border Control. Quiet bays, endless trees, and a haze hanging in the air gave the whole place a muted, dreamlike quality—like stepping into the forgotten margins of the map.
Visit Angle Inlet
Reaching Angle Inlet—the only spot in the contiguous U.S. you have to enter through Canada to visit—meant a long day of driving, a Canadian border inspection, and a dirt-road finale. I stayed at Prothero’s Post Resort on the shores of Lake of the Woods, where a sudden storm gave way to golden evening light. Between helping drenched fishermen dock their boat and swapping political views with another guest, I experienced the quirky charm and rugged beauty of this remote outpost at the far edge of the map.
Rainy Lake Trail
The Rainy Lake Trail links International Falls to Voyageurs National Park, passing through historic Ranier and featuring plaques on the area’s lumberjacks, miners, and voyageurs. Along the way are landmarks like the Bronko Nagurski statue, the towering Smokey Bear, and the sprawling Boise Paper mill. The route ends with a stop at Ronning’s for coffee, licorice ice cream, and a glimpse of small-town life.
From a 1938 Airfield to Voyageurs National Park
A stormy night at a former 1938 airfield-turned-Harvest Hosts stay set the tone for a day steeped in history and nature. Once home to Anderson Airport (MY49), the property still bears traces of its grass runways and rusting landing lights. From there, the journey continued to Voyageurs National Park, a water-rich wilderness straddling the U.S.–Canada border where travel happens mostly by boat.
International Wolf Center
A visit to the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota offered engaging presentations, immersive exhibits, and one wolf napping by the viewing window. Ely, the Gateway to the Boundary Waters, has small-town charm and a deep outdoor spirit. The day ended at a rural Harvest Host farm, where a hardworking 17-year-old cared for the place while his grandmother was away—a glimpse of the dedication found in these quiet corners.
A Day in Grand Marais
A day on Minnesota’s North Shore brought roaring rivers, billion-year-old cliffs, and the artsy harbor town of Grand Marais. Between museum history lessons, unexpected conversations, and the best pizza I’ve had in years, it was a mix of natural beauty, small-town charm, and quirky encounters—wrapped up with a traffic jam at the gas pump.
Cascade River State Park Loop
The Lookout Mountain Loop in Cascade River State Park delivered a three-mile mix of waterfalls, volcanic rock outcrops, wildflowers, and berry-dotted undergrowth. The trail began beneath a cool birch and spruce canopy, crossing a bridge with sweeping views of the rushing Cascade River before winding along rocky ledges and down narrow paths to the water’s edge. A steady climb led to hazy vistas of the Sawtooth Mountains, where ridgelines faded into the horizon like layers of watercolor. Even without clear views of Lake Superior, the variety of terrain and quiet forest beauty made the hike deeply rewarding.
Gitchi-Gami Bike Trail
Waking up beside a massive steam locomotive in Two Harbors, Minnesota, set the tone for a day steeped in history and scenery. Agate Bay’s skyline was dominated by the towering Iron Ore Docks—over 1,300 feet long and nearly seven stories high—a powerful relic of the region’s mining heritage. Across the bay, the 1892 Two Harbors Lighthouse kept watch, still guiding ships on Lake Superior. After a coffee stop at Cedar Coffee Company, tucked away on a dirt road outside town, the day shifted to cycling the hilly Gitchi-Gami State Trail. Scenic lake views, rugged shoreline, and a chance encounter with a family bound for Vermont framed the ride, as rain clouds rolled in over Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. By evening, the rain had settled in for the night.
Gooseberry Falls & Split Rock Lighthouse
A smoky sunrise over Lake Superior kicked off a slow Sunday along Minnesota’s North Shore. From a quiet riverside overnight near French River to scenic hikes at Gooseberry Falls and golden-hour photography at Split Rock Lighthouse, the day unfolded with good food, helpful park rangers, and a perfectly quiet night beside an old steam engine in Two Harbors.
Kayaking and River Boat Tour
A full day on the St. Croix River began with a peaceful seven‑mile solo kayak trip past shaded banks, wildlife, and remote campsites accessible only by water, capped by an engaging conversation with a park ranger about the riverway’s challenges and beauty. The afternoon shifted to the Taylors Falls Princess for an 80‑minute scenic paddleboat cruise through billion‑year‑old basalt cliffs, glacial potholes, and legendary rock formations, followed by a nostalgic burger‑and‑shake stop at The Drive‑In—a local staple since 1956.
Drive To Twin Falls
A routine laundry stop in Chippewa Falls turned into an unexpected history lesson from a mustachioed local who could recite Wisconsin’s past like an open book. From there, the back roads led through small-town diners, cappuccino breaks in Chetek, and a chance meeting with a globe-trotting park ranger at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. By nightfall, the day wrapped up with dinner by the river and planning for tomorrow kayak trip.
Chippawa Falls and Leinenkugel Brewery
An afternoon walk through Chippewa Falls turned into a full day of small-town charm. From a tour of the historic Leinenkugel Brewery to a scoop of Dulce de Leche at Olson’s Ice Cream, the day was filled with unexpected moments. A stroll past century-old architecture led to reflections on the past, a fascinating historical plaque, and dinner to close out the day in classic Wisconsin style.
Elroy-Sparta Trail, WI
A long ride on the Elroy-Sparta Trail — the first rail-to-trail conversion in the U.S. — turned into a full-day adventure of tunnels, wildflowers, butterflies, and a minor crash. Along the way, travelers from around the world crossed paths, the Wisconsin landscape rolled by, and a few questions came up about the only state in the country that charges to ride its bike paths.
Wisconsin State Capitol-Madison
the Wisconsin State Capitol led to a stroll through the Monona Terrace, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and a stop at the iconic Babcock Hall Dairy Store for a scoop of ice cream. Along the way, a conversation with a psychology student moonlighting as a wedding DJ, a hidden plaque honoring a local disability rights advocate, and a Liberty Bell replica added unexpected depth. One five-year-old summed it up best: the ultimate goal is to visit every ice cream shop in the world. Honestly, a goal worth chasing.
Cherry Pie, Starlink Apocalypse and Devil’s Lake
What started as a quiet morning with a shower and coffee turned into a series of small detours — from cherry pie confusion to a Starlink outage, changing weather, and a campground that was harder to find than expected. Not the day I planned, but memorable in its own way.
Green Bay Lambeau Field
After a quiet morning in JD’s backyard, I made my way to Green Bay for a deep dive into Packers history. From a classic Lambeau Field tour and an inspiring Hall of Fame visit to some local road wisdom and a no-frills overnight stop, the day blended football legacy, local flavor, and life on the road.
Bayfield: Museum, Restaurant and Trails
Today was supposed to be a kayaking day around the Apostle Islands, but heavy rain and wind had other plans. I spent the day exploring Bayfield on foot—visiting the Maritime Museum, walking the Big Ravine Trail system, wandering the historic streets, and learning about the town’s roots at the Carnegie Library. A blackened trout lunch, a double chocolate ice cream, and time photographing the trails rounded out a quiet, weather-shifted day. By nightfall, I was back in the woods, falling asleep to the sound of rain on the van roof.
Two Days of Heavy Rain
After a long day of travel through rain, high winds, and dealing with a slow tire leak, I made the two-hour drive to Duluth to get the tire fixed. I had planned to stay overnight at the local Walmart, but it turns out they don’t allow it—and the place was loud and chaotic anyway. As evening settled in, I headed back toward Bayfield and luckily found a quiet snowmobile trail pull-off just 13 minutes from town. Surrounded by woods and silence, it ended up being the peaceful stop I didn’t know I needed.