Through my lens

Startled ----Red tail fox

Peacefully grazing with friends and family .................

Majestic- but decided to pee just before the click of the camera!! :)

Woodpecker….stocking up for the winters!

Enjoying the beautiful afternoon on the lake!
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Scenic Duluth- Minnesota

During our trip we stayed in Duluth overnight. I was quite surprised to learn that at one time it was home to more millionaires (per capita) than any other city in the world! This I could never have guessed- simply because when I think of cities with old world wealth-some place in Europe is what conjures up.

One of the most easily recognized monuments of the city is Arial Transfer Bridge -built in 1905 as a transfer bridge.

In 1929 the bridge was modified - the gondola was removed, the height of the top span increased and structural supports incorporated- into the present avatar.

Another gem in Duluth is Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, famous for it’s migratory hawk watch. In fact, Hawk Ridge (refer to Neela Asman shot from the observation point) is recognized by the Audubon Society. Hawk Ridge acts as a “funnel” for tens of thousands of migratory hawks, eagles and other birds of prey.

Though we missed the annual migratory flight, I was pleasantly surprised to catch him looking down with an attitude of “ I am lord of all I survey!”

I was awe struck by the magnitude of the Lake Superior –largest freshwater lake in the world- it would take 191 years for the rivers in the drainage basin to refill the lake!!

On the shores of lake...........

Sunrise on Lake Superior-Grand Marais

These are some pictures of Lake Superior taken from the deck of our room.

Even though it got a bit cold at night, we slept with the bay windows overlooking the lake open (there was fire burning in the fireplace at night to keep us comfortable), the rising moon reflecting off the waters of Lake Superior and the sound of waves breaking across the shoreline lulled us to sleep every night.

In the morning we woke up to spectacular views of the sunrise over Lake Superior; the largest and cleanest freshwater lake. The first breath taking sunrise hooked me into getting up early in mornings.

St. Croix Scenic Byway

On the first leg of our vacation we drove along the St. Croix Scenic Byway. St. Croix Scenic Byway rambles along the alternatively wild and pastoral St. Croix River, which is also a National Scenic River way.

We drove through many charming historic towns, explored state parks and strolled through many-a-downtowns with character and architecture of decades past.

Even though we were visiting in late October, we caught the tail end of the fall colors. There is something poetic about the changing colors. It seemed as if some one had lit a fire with all these colors vividly shining through!

Some more images from the hike

Hike towards the Devils Kettle water falls also filled our senses- there was so much to soak in. There were sights to behold; sounds to remember – of birds, bees and than the sound of massive waterfalls; and smells- fresh and chrisp-to take it all in.

It was a beautiful crisp day for the hike. Surprisingly met very few people- which also made it somewhat of a surreal experience.

I felt so much at peace, one with nature and maybe also with god.

Hiking in Devils Kettle falls

We were in Minnesota last fall, and I can say it was one of the truly relaxing at the same time invigorating vacations. We hiked, did scenic drives, enjoyed the local cuisine and were introduced to a different kind of life style.

During our trip we stayed in the twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Duluth and than in the beautiful quaint village of Grand Marais.

Grand Marais is few hours away from the Canadian border on the banks of Lake Superior. We had planned to spend only a day there but were charmed enough to squeeze another day.

Picturesque village of Grand Marais has acquired the reputation of being some sort of an artist’s haven. We were pleasantly surprised to by the warm hospitality of the place. Luckily we were there right at the end of the busy tourist season – which is also our preferred time to discover a place at leisure.

One the very first day we hiked to the Devils Kettle water falls. Even though all through the entire trip we saw more than a few waterfalls, still the Devils Kettle managed to awe us.

Neela Aasman...

Crisp beautiful morning on Lake Superior- Minnesota. Hard to tell where the earth ends and heaven begins……

I will share some more about my fall trip to Minnesota in my next few posts...