Lin Update and Grand Marais Family Tips

First, and most importantly, a Lin update.

Mom is doing better each and every day, conversations are getting longer and easier and I think her spirits remain high. Definitely some frustration at how slow things progress, but fully recognizing that gradual progress is a positive thing. The hospital finally decided to schedule corrective surgery for Thursday, September 15th. All is expected to go well, and the goal is to prevent another stroke from ever occurring. Typically, one night in hospital afterwards. I'll be trying my hand at keeping Rockwood Lodge a special place when Mike stays there with Lin. We feel your support and prayer - thank you.

Has been awhile since the last post here and we still have a couple of photo shoots from our adventures in 2011 in the BWCA to share. I have decided this time to let everyone know that young families can find fun in Grand Marais with relative ease.

First stop for us on a day trip during the week is typically the Grand Marais light house. Even when the spot light is not on young boys flock to it like flies in the dark. Sometimes, you get lucky and have the treat of a sea plane coming or going into the harbor.

Next, you march out toward the picturesque Artist Point for panoramic views of Lake Superior and the North Shore. The rocks provide plenty of opportunity for exploring, photography, drawing, and in our case young boy energy release. We've yet to be there for sunrise or sunset, but can only imagine how much more the colors contrast. If you happen to have a sunrise/set photo from here we'd love to see it posted on the Rockwood Facebook page.

One of our family traditions in Grand Marais is a snack at the World's Greatest Doughnuts. What a great area to license plate hunt for State's you missed on the trip. We typically burn a few of the new calories with some rock skipping into Superior just about 100 yards to the east of WGD. There appears to be an endless supply of perfect skipping rocks every time.

Lastly, as we end up the Gunflint Trail, no Grand Marais visit is complete without taking a few moments to stop and glance over the harbor from the top of the lookout on the mountain. I think a lot of visitors miss this view point, Gunflint Trail visitors should not.