The North Shore

Mary's brother Mike just had his hip replaced.

We're in Silver Bay, Minnesota, to give him a hand for the first few days of his recovery.  This includes doing things he'd have trouble doing for himself.  Since Mike is an avid outdoorsman, it is very important that we hike with his dog, Chloe.

We decided to take one of Mike's favored hikes along the lakeshore in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.  To help him feel better, of course.

Mary and Chloe begin the hike on the shore of Lake Superior.
Glorious rays of sunshine poke through the clouds behind the island.
Wave action has removed the snow.

It was a cool and calm day.

The icicles a little higher off the beach
indicated that calm is not always the case.

We left the beach and bare ground.

Mary chose her jacket to match the color
of the fruit of the Mountain Ash (or some similar tree).
She is even stylish when hiking.

The sun broke through and illuminated the lighthouse
as we arrived at one of the favored photo spots.

The ice on Corundum Point reflected the bright sun,
providing a photographic conundrum.

Mary and Chloe assess how the lake goes on forever.

Leaving the snowshoe-packed portion of the Day Hill Trail,
we encountered the stairs leading all the way back down to water level.

Mary demonstrates the proper dance technique for descending.

Many more steps to go.

Berries, beach, and rugged coastline.
The clear blue water, unsullied by human activity,
allows one to see deep into the lake.

More ice formed on a day not so calm.

Even though the deer favored the trail,
their tracks helped little when breaking trail.

And sometimes the deer were no help at all
in breaking through the almost knee-deep snow.
Snowshoes would have been a good idea.

But when you have a strong person to break trail for you
snowshoes are not so necessary.

After the fun became a slog,
we returned to the packed trail and the famous view...

...which we will remember until next time.