Camping In Northern Minnesota
It's been way to long since the last time we went up to Grand Marais. Especially after going up there once a year for many years in a row. Well we finally had it on the calendar and we even brought some friends along that have never been past Duluth. So they were in for a real treat. Its always fun showing people places or things that you have really enjoyed so they can enjoy them too. I was like was like a walking tour guide. I feel like i get that role a lot but it must mean i am good at it!!! lol
Since the last time we were up there camping our camping style has changed we no longer have our pop up camper so we had to go out and spend tons of money buying a tent and some gear that we needed or that needed to be replaced. It's amazing how much work and thought goes into buying the perfect tent for your family. I went through and saved tent options i thought we would like then when scott got home we went through together and narrowed it down from there. We ended up going with a 3 room tent that sleeps 10 people. So the big room tent is tall so you can stand in it and then there 2 small tents that connect on both sides with a tunnel going from main tent to small tent. So the plan was each girl had there own small tent and henry would sleep with us in main tent. We also picked up sleeping mat pads, really cheap foam i think we might do the ones with air in them for next time but i will be looking for them on clearance or sale because there expensive for buying 5 of them.
It was going to be a short trip up there because we were traveling with a pastor so we had to work with his schedule. so after his meeting wednesday afternoon we left and came back by friday evening. We already discussed next time taking off more days because it was a lot of running and not as much relaxing. It's also nice to hang with these friends is because my best friend has celiac disease too and so we all can eat the same and have not chase of slip up with cross contaminated foods.
We got to our campsite thursday around 7:30 and quickly set up camp so we didn't have do it in the dark. Then we started a fire and roasted marshmallows with everyone and sent the kids to bed. Grown up time with fun talks and drinks is always fun. I would have to say sleeping was not to amazing. Each kid took there turn of waking up and wrestling around and birds in the morning made it tough.
We made a pot of coffee over the fire and cooked gluten free pancakes with a side of sausages for 10 people... After breakfast we walked along the shores in the campground till we got to the giant rocks that closed in the bay area where the boats park. Everyone except Scott climbed out to the light house. Well Heather and I had Henry which let me tell you it was hard and scary doing that with him. We didn't make it to the light house but i was ok with that. That mentally wore me down. One time Henry said mom my hands, and i look and i have a death grip on his wrist! By that time we were starving and walked back to cars and drove into town. We went to Sven and Oles for lunch and ordered a weird order because of food restrictions, but they were great about it. We ordered a gluten free hawaiian and on half of it, it didn't have cheese so i could eat it, and second gf sausage pizza. Then the boys ordered some meat pizza. We got there right before the rush walked in so that made it nice. After lunch we walked to all the cute stores and all the kids were able to pick one item to bring home that didn't break the bank. Let me say that was a mistake it was a lot of maybe and changing minds and going back to the same store a few times. We also had to enjoy the custard shop. Which has changed since the last time we were there they added a pizza place on to it. Unfortunately i was not able to eat there, which stinks because it is so good.
We went back to camp and some took naps and others went back to the shores to throw rocks into lake superior for a hour. Im not joking the kids picked up rocks and threw them in and picked up rock and threw it in and repeat and repeat. It was funny to watch. We grabbed a few of our favorite rocks and carried them back to camp.
We made taco's for dinner and then loaded up again and went to walk out the light house and artist point. We got there at the perfect time where the sun was beginning to set and the pictures were pretty.
We finished off the night again with a fire and marshmallows and kids going to bed while the adults talked around a fire. I have to say the second night of sleep was just as bad as first. We also had a few sprinkles but that was it.
In the morning we packed up the van and went to town to get donuts. They had a gluten free chocolate raspberry they offered and i walked to the coop to get a vegan breakfast treat. Grabbed our last minute items while in town and headed home.
We stopped at gooseberry falls and walked around the falls for a bit. Every kids left a little wet. Henry fell in twice while trying to walk on the rocks, and the cole families kid all had wet shoes. I think we wore them out because all three of my kids fell asleep in the car at the same time while driving which is really rare. We stopped and got a slice of pie at betty's pie because it's a tradition. We also stopped in Duluth to see the giant rubber ducky boat that was going on. We didn't want to pay 12.00 each to look at it so we did a slow drive by and enjoyed it that way. We also drove by Uncle Ryan while he was working up on the road in Duluth. Henry was so excited to see him working.
I was glad to have the weekend to recoup because it was a busy whirlwind trip but so fun. The kids really enjoyed it. it's the first time they will remember going because they were so young the last time we went.
Overall it went so good and it was much need family time with people we love so much. The last two years we have gone camping together and it's memories i treasure so much.
Since the last time we were up there camping our camping style has changed we no longer have our pop up camper so we had to go out and spend tons of money buying a tent and some gear that we needed or that needed to be replaced. It's amazing how much work and thought goes into buying the perfect tent for your family. I went through and saved tent options i thought we would like then when scott got home we went through together and narrowed it down from there. We ended up going with a 3 room tent that sleeps 10 people. So the big room tent is tall so you can stand in it and then there 2 small tents that connect on both sides with a tunnel going from main tent to small tent. So the plan was each girl had there own small tent and henry would sleep with us in main tent. We also picked up sleeping mat pads, really cheap foam i think we might do the ones with air in them for next time but i will be looking for them on clearance or sale because there expensive for buying 5 of them.
It was going to be a short trip up there because we were traveling with a pastor so we had to work with his schedule. so after his meeting wednesday afternoon we left and came back by friday evening. We already discussed next time taking off more days because it was a lot of running and not as much relaxing. It's also nice to hang with these friends is because my best friend has celiac disease too and so we all can eat the same and have not chase of slip up with cross contaminated foods.
We got to our campsite thursday around 7:30 and quickly set up camp so we didn't have do it in the dark. Then we started a fire and roasted marshmallows with everyone and sent the kids to bed. Grown up time with fun talks and drinks is always fun. I would have to say sleeping was not to amazing. Each kid took there turn of waking up and wrestling around and birds in the morning made it tough.
We made a pot of coffee over the fire and cooked gluten free pancakes with a side of sausages for 10 people... After breakfast we walked along the shores in the campground till we got to the giant rocks that closed in the bay area where the boats park. Everyone except Scott climbed out to the light house. Well Heather and I had Henry which let me tell you it was hard and scary doing that with him. We didn't make it to the light house but i was ok with that. That mentally wore me down. One time Henry said mom my hands, and i look and i have a death grip on his wrist! By that time we were starving and walked back to cars and drove into town. We went to Sven and Oles for lunch and ordered a weird order because of food restrictions, but they were great about it. We ordered a gluten free hawaiian and on half of it, it didn't have cheese so i could eat it, and second gf sausage pizza. Then the boys ordered some meat pizza. We got there right before the rush walked in so that made it nice. After lunch we walked to all the cute stores and all the kids were able to pick one item to bring home that didn't break the bank. Let me say that was a mistake it was a lot of maybe and changing minds and going back to the same store a few times. We also had to enjoy the custard shop. Which has changed since the last time we were there they added a pizza place on to it. Unfortunately i was not able to eat there, which stinks because it is so good.
teaching kids how to skip rocks
boys being boys
skipping lesson
scott throwing the biggest rock into the water
my rock stacker
the gang
i love finding rocks that are heart shaped
We went back to camp and some took naps and others went back to the shores to throw rocks into lake superior for a hour. Im not joking the kids picked up rocks and threw them in and picked up rock and threw it in and repeat and repeat. It was funny to watch. We grabbed a few of our favorite rocks and carried them back to camp.
We made taco's for dinner and then loaded up again and went to walk out the light house and artist point. We got there at the perfect time where the sun was beginning to set and the pictures were pretty.
We finished off the night again with a fire and marshmallows and kids going to bed while the adults talked around a fire. I have to say the second night of sleep was just as bad as first. We also had a few sprinkles but that was it.
In the morning we packed up the van and went to town to get donuts. They had a gluten free chocolate raspberry they offered and i walked to the coop to get a vegan breakfast treat. Grabbed our last minute items while in town and headed home.
We stopped at gooseberry falls and walked around the falls for a bit. Every kids left a little wet. Henry fell in twice while trying to walk on the rocks, and the cole families kid all had wet shoes. I think we wore them out because all three of my kids fell asleep in the car at the same time while driving which is really rare. We stopped and got a slice of pie at betty's pie because it's a tradition. We also stopped in Duluth to see the giant rubber ducky boat that was going on. We didn't want to pay 12.00 each to look at it so we did a slow drive by and enjoyed it that way. We also drove by Uncle Ryan while he was working up on the road in Duluth. Henry was so excited to see him working.
gooseberry lower falls
bella and hannah
now that is one big rubber ducky
Henry face when he saw uncle ryan
wow the view from up the hill in duluth
I was glad to have the weekend to recoup because it was a busy whirlwind trip but so fun. The kids really enjoyed it. it's the first time they will remember going because they were so young the last time we went.
Overall it went so good and it was much need family time with people we love so much. The last two years we have gone camping together and it's memories i treasure so much.
Comments
Post a Comment