Cheryl & Larry's 2015 Journey: June 2015

Two Harbors Light Station was built in 1892. Two Harbors became a major port do to the local iron ore and the light station provided a safer harbor entry. The Coast Guard automated the light in 1981 eliminating the need for a keeper in residence.

Two cargo ships being loaded at Two Harbors

Split Rock Lighthouse - The structure was completed in 1910 at a cost of $75,000, including the buildings and the land. It is considered one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the United States. Split Rock Lighthouse was built in response to the great loss of ships during the famous Mataafa Storm of 1905, in which 29 ships were lost on Lake Superior. One of these shipwrecks, the Madeira, is located just north of the lighthouse.

It is built on a 130-foot sheer cliff eroded by wave action from a diabase sill containing inclusions of anorthosite. The octagonal building is a steel-framed brick structure with concrete trim on a concrete foundation set into the rock of the cliff. It is topped with a large, steel lantern which features a third order, bi-valve type Fresnel lens. At the time of its construction, there were no roads to the area and all building materials and supplies arrived by water and lifted to the top of the cliff by crane. The light was first lit on July 31, 1910. The light was retired in 1969 by the U. S. Coast Guard.

Split Rock Lighthouse - during its first twenty years it was only accessible via boat. Keepers and families had to live on site during the shipping season and left in the winter months.

Lighthouse is now part of the Split Rock State Park.

Gooseberry State Park - located near Two Harbors. Gooseberry River flows through the park. There are numerous areas within the park that show the lava flow millions of years ago! The soil is rich in iron and the brown/red color in the water shows. There are five falls within the park.

Tree roots just find a way to grow into the rock!

Resting on the climb up!!!

This wall within the park was built by the CCC 1936 - 1940. It's 300 ft. long, 15 - 25 ft. high, & 12 ft. wide at the base. It was designed after a castle.

This Red-Headed Woodpecker entertained us while eating lunch along the shore.

Lava Rock shore line

Hello Wisconsin over there! You can just make out the WI coast.

Vintage chains and stone pillars preventing people from falling off cliff.

We visited two Wisconsin State Parks that were just across the bay outside of Superior, WI

Amnicon Falls State Park - Amnicon means "where the fish spawn"

A billion years of geological activity lies in this picture! Volcanic eruptions, formation of sandstone, earthquake movements and glaciation all have studied in these rocks.

55 ft. bridge that spans the Amnicon River. Historical bridge is called a Horton or bow-string bridge. Built in the late 1800's, it's one of six remaining Horton design bridges remaining. It was moved to the park after serving many years as the highway bridge crossing the the same river not far from the park.

Pattison State Park - The Black River flows through the park.

Big Manitou Falls - 165 ft. is the highest waterfalls in WI and the 4th highest east of the Rockies

Falls from the Interfalls Lake. Black River (Mucudewa Sebee) comes from the Ojibwa Indians meaning black or dark. The root beer tint of the water comes from tannin leached from the decaying leaves and roots of vegetation along the river path.

These falls are 31 ft. tall.

We stayed at Ogston's RV Park outside of Duluth, MN. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Our site faced the lake. We were greeted by a pair of Loons upon arrival and they entertained us daily with their beautiful singing.

The Duluth / Superior is the largest and busiest harbor on the Great Lakes and the world's most inland seaport. Well over 1000 lake and ocean vessels call on the twin ports each year, moving 40 - 45 million tons of cargo! Taconite pellets (iron ore), low-sulfur coal, grain, petroleum coke & bentonite clay are the main export products with limestone, cement, salt the main imports.

Duluth has a population of 86,000+ and was first explored by the French in 1679. Permanent settlement took place in 1852. The downtown today is focused on tourism and part of their major income.

The Aerial Lift Bridge, 386 ft. long, spans the canal entrance to Duluth harbor.

Never seen a major freighter going through but did see it lifted for these smaller boats.

Scale model of one of the many 1000 ft. cargo ships that come in/out of the port. These ships carry 60 - 80,000 tons of cargo and are usually loaded / unloaded by a multi-numbered conveyor system taking about 6 hours.

Glensheen built by Clara & Chester Congdon between 1905-08. Chester was an attorney, mining entrepreneur, & state legislator. House has 39 rooms, 15 bathrooms, 15 fireplaces & 4 floors setting on 7.7 acres on Lake Superior.