Sun 22 Sept

Calendar says that today is the first day of autumn. Good day to head up to the North Shore to hike. Hopefully they will have at least some color to provide a pretty background. I finished reading about the couple who walked around Lake Superior a couple of years ago, and especially enjoyed their home stretch through the area we will be visiting. They mentioned a lot of the places we stop or at least see regularly. Now off to experience them ourselves, even if our hikes are much less demanding. Very nice day with the exception of the outcome of the Packer game. We were able to get quite a bit on the Packer radio network. Always makes the long drive go more quickly. Our little hotel is pleasant and quite sufficient. It is a mile or two up the hill from the lake and busy Hwy 61 in the ski resort area. It reminds us of the little hotel in Whitefish, MT. We walked from our hotel after checking in and found a spur of the Superior Hiking Trail for a nice short hike before dinner. We may follow this trail farther another day as it goes about 6 miles to the Caribou trailhead so an out-and-back hike would be a good length for a day hike. Dinner was at a nice little pub/restaurant called Papa Charlie's. excellent airline chicken stuffed with chèvre and prosciutto. Dad had maple BBQ ribs. Surly Furious on tap. Pumpkin creme brûlée for dessert. Good meal. A nice little sauna in the hotel capped off a good first day of the trip and first day of autumn. Food: 7:00 am Laura's oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, protein powder, 1/2 c blueberries, soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 103 g blackberries, coffee