winter wonderland

"What's the first thing you think of when you go through a tunnel?"

My sister, Trenda, asked me this as we traveled on the PA turnpike that last week of December. 

I thought for a little bit and then said, "Princess Diana."  (The bigger answer is her accident and death)

Trenda said, "Only a sister would get that answer right."

I tried the same question on Ellis as we traveled north on Hwy 61 with Lake Superior visible out the passenger side window. We went through several short tunnels. He was stumped and couldn't think of the right answer. When I told him - Princess Diana - he asked, "Was that accident in a tunnel? I didn't remember that."

Why would we travel to the north shore in March where the temperature next morning was -5?

Naniboujou Lodge near Grand Marais MN

My sister, Ladina, discovered this lovely place a few years ago when she and John were on a ride on Hwy 61. She happened to glance back and saw a large building through the trees. They turned around and went back and had a meal there. 

They have weekends open in the winter (February and part of March)  then open again in the summer. 

John and Ladina and Ellis and I braved the cold and snow and went North for a get-a-away in March.

photo credits of the lake: Ladina Martin

view from our room

We explored the town of Grand Marais and also took a site seeing drive on the Gunflint trail looking for moose. These cute moose painted on a tray were the only moose we saw.

We were on a search for books and baskets. 

Sisters

In the room next to the grand dining room there were tables and couches and conversation nooks where we played games, read books and caught up on life.

One of the other guests asked Ladina and me if we are twins. We are 14 months apart in age. Mom has been known to say she felt like she was raising twins when we were little.

If you want to go north in the winter this is a great place to go. Now, of course, we want to go to the north shore in the summer and find some Lake Superior agates and wade in the water.