On the Road with Maya: A 'Top 100 Adventure Town'

Grand Marais Harbor and Lighthouse from the campground

The harbor and lighthouse from the breakwater

Imagine a beautiful little village delicately nestled between the shores of one of the world’s largest and most enigmatic lakes on the east and one of the nation’s finest wilderness areas to the west. There are those who would think it heaven, but I’ve got news – it’s Minnesota, Grand Marais to be precise. Named a ‘Top 100 Adventure Town’ by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, Grand Marais is all about hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, hunting and every water and snow sport imaginable. If you want to be doing something outside, this is the place to be. And in the summer, I don’t believe better weather can be found.

A little morning fog on the Superior Hiking Trail near Devil's Track River

The Superior Hiking Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail

We have been here almost a week and a typical morning means putting on a light jacket if you want to sit outside while enjoying the morning coffee. If the coffee didn't get me moving then breathing the crisp northern air certainly did the trick. After eating breakfast and being entertained by watching fishing boats and sailboats take off, we have been making a lunch, loading up the packs and going for a hike. By mid-morning we usually have shed the jackets and are in short sleeve shirts. Sometimes while we are picnicking at lunch we have to put the jackets back on if the breeze is coming off the lake. Often though, the sun warms us just enough.

We could eat lunch here, maybe?

Or how about here?
With the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as a backdrop

Back on the trail we will work up a bit of a sweat if we are climbing very much, but the forest shade and breezes keep us from getting too warm. On many of our hikes the trails were lined by bushes loaded with ripe blueberries and raspberries. It's always a toss-up between Maya and me to see who eats the most. By the time we are back at camp and ready for dinner, it is usually cool enough that a hot dinner sounds good. A sweatshirt or light jacket feels nice again for that sunset walk by Lake Superior. Being the middle of summer in a northern latitude, the sun doesn’t set until after 9, so by the time that walk on the beach is done, we are ready for bed. And then it is all to do over again…

Maya summits Eagle Mountain, the highest point in Minnesota
She summited the highest point in Arkansas back in April

Summiting is hard work and deserves a good nap - especially if you've just had lunch

Among our favorite hikes was the ‘summit’ of the highest point in Minnesota, Eagle Mountain at 2,031 feet. We also enjoyed several hikes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Most people canoe or kayak the hundreds of lakes and rivers in this serene and remote wilderness. Many of the lakes are either connected by streams or have easy portages. But the trails in this area are breathtaking and wild too! We also hiked 3 sections of the Superior Hiking Trail, a 296 mile-long trail that runs from Duluth to the Canadian border following the ridgeline overlooking Lake Superior for most of its way.

Maya tries the waters in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

When we wanted a little change from hiking, the quaint, waterfront downtown area was just blocks from the Marina & Campground where we stayed – an easy stroll. Grand Marais has cute shops, art galleries, and it is home to the North House Folk School (for arts and crafts). We sampled a few of the local restaurants and were pleased with the good selection of foods from pizza and burgers to fresh fish to organic salads.

Pond and wetlands near the Boundary Waters
Trail passed through areas of the 2007 Ham Lake Fire

I totally 'get' Monet's fascination with water lilies

I know that a lot of friends and family who are reading this right now are in hot places, so I almost feel guilty going on about how idyllic it is here. But not too guilty – remember we did suffer through some pretty horrific plagues of ticks, mosquitoes, poison ivy and rain so I think we have more than paid our dues. Regardless, we have been having a fantastic time.