The appropriate sign you are in northern Minnesota in late August, early September is that sandals with socks is perfectly acceptable!
We moved to the DNR State OHV Campground near Soudan on Sunday, 30 August. The sites are HUGE, 60-80’ long pull throughs with picnic tables, and fire rings. There are pit toilets one each of the three loops plus a central flush toilet/shower facility. It even has a OHV wash area. Absolutely no trees, but hopefully they plant some next year.
Once we got settled, we drove the truck to Hibbing on Monday because we had a leak in the differential. Oops! Bad drive train, and the dealer said it was unsafe to drive. Big ouchie. They have to order parts, and it will be a week, so they gave us a loaner car. It is a brand new Ford Bronco, and it is a dog. I admit it is the lowest level of trim, but it is not comfortable at all. Hopefully we only have it a bit over a week.
We visited an historic Finnish homestead, the Wirtanen Pioneer Homestead. It is an original homestead site begun by a single bachelor farmer/logger in 1904. The first thing built was a sauna, of course, but the house and other outbuildings are impressive. It has an obviously loving historic association taking care of it.
While we were in the Soudan area we took one long RZR RIDE, 90+ miles, on the Prospector Trail. The most notable site in my opinion were the boardwalks over bogs. There were a number of them, but the longest was a full half mile in length! They are controlled by gates that enforce the 65” maximum width of the trail. Lots of those along the boardwalks and bridges.
The trail itself is jointly maintained by DNR and local clubs. This is one of the nicest trail stops I have ever seen. There is also a fire pit and a large collection of split firewood in a covered area. Oh, and a spotless two hole outhouse!
We also spent a day just sightseeing around Ely. Back when I could move better, we did a number of wilderness canoe trips out of the town, and we re-visited the area. The trees are just starting to turn, and it was generally beautiful. Wednesday was Kevin!s birthday, and we had an absolutely fabulous dinner at Insula Restaurant in Ely. Good food, good service, and a great rye whiskey Old Fashioned! What can be more Minnesotan than walleye and wild rice?
On Thursday, 3 September, we moved to the West Forty RV Park in Gilbert. Sites are crowded, but FHU and we met friends here. We have been camping with the Lopers occasionally for 25 years or more, and it was great to catch up. We are now planning on staying here through Thursday night. We need to be in Duluth on Friday for a train trip, so I sure hope the truck is fixed by then!