My apologies for allowing this thread about routing to morph into a trip report....................
Well, we hitched up this morning and left the marina campground and headed north up MN highway 61.
First stop was
Gooseberry Falls State Park, where we walked a good bit of the trail to see the middle and lower falls. Super busy today. Wished I could post video, it was loud, so you will have to take my word for it. After taking lots of pics (will post in a bit), we went up the road about 8 miles to
Split Rock Lighthouse State Historical Site. It too was very busy, but we poked around and I climbed the lighthouse stairs and got to see the Fresnel lens motor and gearing that makes it all work. The building is unique in that the brick is ceramic glazed on the inside and outside.
As we headed north, it was decided to stop at the Dairy Queen in Grand Marais for a late lunch and after discussing the situation, we topped off with diesel at the Marathon for $3.89 gal which proved to be a huge mistake, as both of us had lots of fuel to reach Grand Portage and the tribal gas station at the Grand Portage Casino was $3.47 gal.
A suggestion here, don't bother camping at the Casino RV park at Grand Portage. It a rather poor excuse for a campground and overly priced. Instead, camp further south, such as the
city owned campground and rec area at Grand Marais and make Grand Portage a day trip. There are water falls at the state park (highest in MN) and also a National Monument, both of which we will visit tomorrow.
The issue with the campground is no maintenance, the power plugs are worn loose in the pedestals, and while the campground was open, the grass had not been mowed, and the sites are difficult to distinguish from the grass. The pedestals, spigots and sewer are ill positioned requiring a long sewer hose if you plan to use the sewer connections. But my biggest beefs was one that really could not be prevented, goose poop everywhere. Steve got a bag and a glove and picked up all he could find around his site and then I did the same. However the biggest of all was the restrooms. Someone took a paint sprayer and painted EVERYTHING (well, not quite but close to it) and the floor was partially painted, and lots of paint spilled. Huge mess, plus no shower curtains. I hope they finish it, but I'm not hopeful.
There are numerous other parks, water falls, and interesting attractions along this route, including a scenic drive (the old highway 61 before they rerouted it) and its all worth seeing, so plan carefully.
Charles