Beware the Gales of November

Fall is a tumultuous time of year along Minnesota’s North Shore. We’re battered by huge, icy swells that pommel our shoreline. Every day is a gamble. Will the Gales of November make it impossible to take to the water? Or will the lake be still as a sheet of glass? Every year, Lake Superior sees about 30 inches of precipitation, most of which falls May through October. Over the years, we’ve had some truly incredible storms pass through the region, wreaking havoc, sinking ships and making the news.

The Minnesota Sea Grant has conducted extensive research into why, exactly, so many epic storms develop around Lake Superior. It all has to do with climate, and what is going on in the air above the big lake. The experts explain that “collisions between belts of low and high pressure from the Gulf of Mexico and Canada generate the region's wildest storms and blizzards.”

During November, the winds really start to pick up. This is caused by low-pressure systems passing over the lake, bringing on the Gales of November. During this time, wind speeds can easily reach 50 miles per hour, and gusts can exceed 100 mph. In Cook County, this natural phenomenon is a cause to celebrate.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Services, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

In honor of this wonderful season and the great year 2019 has already proven to be, we’ve compiled a list of 19 awesome springtime adventures you won’t want to miss.

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Scenic Drives, Services, Spring, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors, Northern Lights & Night Sky, BWCAW, Lake Superior

Spring is in the air, and it is time to plan a getaway. Whether you’re looking to escape the confines of your everyday life for a few days or even a week, planning can come with a tinge of sadness when it means leaving your four-legged family members behind. Finding a dog sitter or taking family and friends up on offers to keep your dog company while you’re away is all well and good, but up in Cook County, Minnesota, we say bring your fur-babies, too… the more, the merrier!

With so many dog-friendly activities and a wealth of lodging options that welcome canine family members and pet-loving locals everywhere you turn, Cook County is a fun destination on two legs and four.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Services, Summer, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Winter, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

Enjoy the fine art of Hygge at its finest. Through the month of February, you can cozy up by a roaring fire with your nearest and dearest at some of the most spectacular fireplaces in the region. Take the Cook County Fireplace Tour this February and discover the best winter vacations.

 

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

5 reasons why you must go cross country skiing this winter

There are several reasons cross country skiing is an excellent winter activity, most notably it gets you outside in the winter. But also, cross country skiing is very versatile, you can do it anywhere there is snow and it is a fantastic cardio workout that can burn up to 500 calories in one hour. What is not to love about that? Here are our top five reasons you should try cross country skiing this winter.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

Happy anniversary to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (commonly known as the BWCAW/BWCA)! On October 21, 1978 President Jimmy Carter signed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act into law, amending the national Wilderness Act of 1964.

While the 1964 National Wilderness Act included the BWCAW in the National Wilderness Preservation System, the new Act signed in 1978, set the course leading to the wilderness as it is known today. Each year, over 150,000 visitors travel from around the globe to explore the pristine waters that are home to moose, wolves, bears and more.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors, Northern Lights & Night Sky, BWCAW

Topics: Fall, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, News

Being out in nature is an incredible thing. It’s one of the primary reasons so many fine folks choose to make the journey north every fall. Cook County is the perfect place to be inspired by nature. Stepping out of the towns and into natural areas engages every one of our senses. The views take our breath away. The smells bring us back to our childhood. The sounds of animals, birds and the wind through the trees have a calming effect, washing away the stressors of everyday life. You’ll feel invigorated after spending time in the elements and tasting that first fall brew or exquisite local wine is the icing on the cake.

Simply being out in the wilderness forges connections between the land, our minds and our bodies. It’s no wonder so many of us turn to nature for inspiration.

Topics: Fall, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Services, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

The pristine waters. The dramatic, glacially-carved landscape. The seemingly unending wilderness. A trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is a chance to set technology aside and spend days on end out in the elements. Maybe you’ve been wanting to take your family camping in the BWCAW for years but haven’t taken the leap quite yet. Maybe you’re a seasoned BWCAW veteran thinking about taking your little ones in for the first time. Maybe you fall somewhere in-between.

No matter your experience level, a trip into the BWCAW will challenge your family to slow down, work together and to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. This is the year you transform your family into a Boundary Waters family.

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Services, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors