We traveled in a convoy from International Falls, Minnesota to Two Harbors, Minnesota and arrived at the Penmarallter Campsite just south of town on Scenic Highway 61. Great cycling and kayaking in Lake Superior (on calm days only).

Two harbors is a "touristy" town for people heading up the coast to vacation near Grand Marais and the Canadian border. The big attraction this time of year is canoeing on the "boundary waters" between Canada and the US near Ely, Minnesota. Lots of outfitters and guides in the area. Several day trips are quite common. In the early evening, we traveled to the light house at Two Harbors and also looked at the huge ore docks where big ships tie up and load with iron ore. Pretty neat place.

July 7th - Lisa and I took a tandem ride towards Duluth on Scenic 61. We went about 18 miles and then turned around. The road was awesome with great views of the lake and the homes along the way. About ten miles down the road, we came to a detour. They were working on a new bridge. We rode about three miles to the bridge and then turned around and took the detour. The detour took us out onto the Highway 61 expressway, but the shoulder was as wide as a lane. The flowers along the road were absolutely beautiful. We then turned back to the scenic road on the other side of the construction. We came upon a new jetty and boat launch; very nicely done. We then rode a little farther before turning around and reversing our ride. Ended up with about 38 miles of riding. We drove back to Duluth to check out the town. It is an old town with lots of Victorian homes. Pretty cool. On the way out of town, we stopped at the Glensheen Mansion. This home was built in the early 1900s for a cost of $24 million. It is absolutely amazing inside with fantastic woodwork and marble everywhere. It also has an interesting history as one of the daughters of the original builder is thought to have murdered a husband or two and then murdered her adopted mother. Pretty interesting. She later set her retirement home on fire and may have killed another person. Money does not buy you happiness!!

July 8th - On our second day in the area, we traveled with Brian and Lorrayne to Gooseberry State Park. The Gooseberry River enters Lake Superior at this park and many people go there to see the cool waterfalls and swim in the pools. We also went for a hike all around the falls. Be sure to see the photos in the photo gallery. Lots and lots of stairs on these trails, but it was all very pretty. We then drove to Twin Rocks State Park where there is a grand lighthouse on the bluff above the lake. The cliff is about 120 feet high. We also hiked near the lighthouse, but the lighthouse is still closed to the public due to the Corona virus. We had a picnic lunch and then proceeded to drive back to Two Harbors.

July 9th - We traveled into Duluth in the morning for Lisa's MRI on her shoulder. She has been having pretty severe pain in her right shoulder. Everything went well as far as getting the MRI done. FYI: Lisa has a rotator cuff injury. No surgery required at this time. She will likely need a cortisone shot and then some physical therapy. We wanted to join in on the online salsa class, but she cannot raise her arm right now. After the MRI, we traveled to Two Harbors and had the serpentine belt replaced on the truck. We are trying to stay ahead of the maintenance so that we limit issues on the road.

July 10th - The next day, Lisa and I took a tandem bicycle ride on the paved trail from Gooseberry State Park to the town of Silver Bay to the north along Highway 61. The total distance for the ride was 35 miles with over 2100 feet of climb. We did not think that there would be that much climbing along the coast, but the trail would go down into each ravine along the way and then up the other side. It was a great ride with awesome views of Lake Superior and the trees along the way. After finishing our ride, we returned to near our campground to have lunch at the "Mocha Moose." The food was good, but it was a little hot on the deck next to the cafe. No indoor seating.

Saturday, July 11th - We went with Brian and Lorrayne to Tettegouche State Park to hike to the water falls. The falls were very nice and there were lots of people there. We hiked up and down lots of stairs to get to the water and the best vantage points for the falls. We had a picnic lunch after were done hiking. Since we had each brought our trucks, Lisa and I chose to continue up the coast to Temperance Bay and nearly Grand Marais. There was a neat swimming area where the water from the Temperance Rivers flows into the lake. Lots of people jumping off rocks. We continued up to the town of Schroeder were we got diesel for $2.14 per gallon.

Sunday, July 12th - We traveled with Brian and Lorrayne to the town of Ely up near the Boundary Waters with Canada. We did a typical tourist day and walked up and down the streets at the shops. Lisa bought a hat and Lorrayne bought some highly needed "stuff." We had lunch at a little cafe before returning to Two Harbors. Once back in Two Harbors and after a quick trip to DQ (Dairy Queen) we stopped by to check out our new wooden signs to hang on the RV. Check out the photos on the photo gallery. I went for a 39 mile bike ride after getting back. I actually rode the same route that Lisa and I had done on the tandem earlier in the week.

Monday, July 13th - This turned out to be a day of chores. Pick up the sign for the trailer. Pump up all the tires to make sure the pressure was right. Torque the tire lugs on the trailer and the truck; don't want to lose a wheel. I packed the RV for the trip to Wisconsin the next day. It takes about an hour to do pack everything and get ready to move. I could do it faster if i were to hustle, but I took my time. Lorrayne created a great boneless short ribs dinner for us. Really nice!!