We had a great weekend up in northern Minnesota with only one disappointment…but there could have been more.
We could have been disappointed when our camping reservations, made long before Covid was on the scene, had to be changed… because of Covid. A Jay Cooke State Park ranger called and told us they had to cancel one night of our stay in the camper cabins to let the cleaned cabin “rest” between renters.
But that led us to making reservations at the Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B which usually requires a two-night stay but the innkeeper let us stay for just one night. So the cancellation of a night’s stay at a camping cabin turned into an exciting addition of staying in a historic lighthouse!
We could have been disappointed with the unusual cold weather spell for late October… the highs were only in the 20’s, but the sun was out and we had warm clothes.
Photo by gb
With warm places to sleep – the lighthouse was cozy and our camping cabins were toasty warm – we went with the mantra: “no bad weather, just bad clothing.” We brought sufficient jackets, boots, hat, scarfs and mittens and stayed warm while hiking and enjoying the great outdoors.
We hiked at Gooseberry State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, and in Two Harbors itself.
Our first night, from the Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B, we saw a ship in the night right off shore. It had left the harbor and was all lit up, sailing under an almost full moon.
Our camping cabin was in Jay Cooke State Park where there are a lot of wonderful views of vast wilderness areas and of the rocky and rugged St. Louis River. We had great meals and campfires and hiked over seventeen miles in four days.
What, then, was our disappointment?
Our exciting lighthouse reservation was at the Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B overlooking Lake Superior’s Agate Bay.
The lighthouse was charming and beautifully appointed with antiques and we loved the idea of staying in this historic home.
The website says it is the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota. It began operation in 1892.
However, there was no light illuminating its special code out over the dark waters from the tower that night. Why? We didn’t know, and we were disappointed.
The next day we talked with the innkeeper and she said they are waiting on a new LED bulb for the lighthouse so the lighthouse is not operating at this time.
According to the website “the Two Harbors Light Station is designated as an active aid to navigation and is on navigational charts, as well as being a museum.” Apparently it’s not crucial for a light to be shining 24/7 these days, although usually it is on.
We had been all excited to be “Keepers of the Lighthouse” but alas, it was not to be. We had a wonderful time anyway, and we wouldn’t change a thing – except the light bulb!
Beautiful photos. Sounds like a refreshing trip to revive the spirits.
That is a great way to put it Sue…refreshing and revival of the spirits! 😉
Everything turned out exactly as it should have. Beautiful scenery and places to stay. And that ship on the lake, that is something. Thank you for sharing your get-away with us.
Thanks Audrey. It did turn out as it should have, and we are grateful for the wonderful time.
Beautiful, love the ship picture! I have great memories of our trips with you and Gary to the North Shore when the kids were little 🙂
Yes, we, too, remember some great times up on the north shore with you and the family!
You have captured the essence of the North Shore experience! We toured the Split Rock Lighthouse and grounds last year and it is so interesting. This whole area is so relaxing and amazingly peaceful. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure Valerie!
We had out of town company last October and we toured the Split Rock Lighthouse with them. It had been awhile since we had been there. It was fun to see.
That was a fabulous story and photos! Loved it so, so much!