BWCA Day 3: Great Views

(If you’re just checking into our Boundary Water’s trip, be sure to check out Days 1 and 2 first!)

One of the highlights of our trip (for me anyway) was Neil’s breakfasts. Every morning, he was the first up, making breakfast or brewing coffee for us while getting things ready for the day. We had a busy day planned (relatively speaking) for the third day of our trip — some hiking, showers, lunch and checking out an art show in Grand Marais — so he prepped a big breakfast of eggs, bacon and coffee.

He is so good at balancing the skillet over our Jetboil.

After breakfast, we hit the road to find a few trailheads. Up first: Honeymoon Bluff!

Honeymoon Bluff is a moderately difficult but short hike that takes roughly 30 minutes (with stops to see the view included). The grade can be somewhat challenging at times, but a helpful set of wooden stairs has been installed throughout parts of the trail. It has a fabulous view of Hungry Jack Lake.

Gorgeous view!

Can you imagine how beautiful this would be at sunset, or in the fall…

After leaving Honeymoon, we packed up and headed to Caribou Rock. It’s a 7-mile trail, but we popped in for about 1.4 miles in and back to see the overlook:

Gorgeous! And so green compared to Missouri this summer.

The hiking party.

A picture of Neil taking a picture of himself. I couldn’t help myself, we’re so camera-phobic most of the time…

After a good morning hike, we made our way to Grand Marais for our first showers of the trip. Showers are always a point of mystery in our planning. We never quite know where we’ll find one, but we know some place will have them. On our honeymoon, our showers ended up being in the back of a laundromat, and in Montana, a local KOA campground. In Grand Marais, the place to get a shower is apparently the municipal pool. No in the pool mind you, but in the bathroom showers. They were not luxurious, and there’s nothing like water timers and peeping 6 year-olds to test your motor skills and patience, but we came out alright.

After showers, we headed downtown. We had passed an outdoor supply shop on the way into town the first night and definitely wanted to check it out. They had a lot of nice, very expensive equipment, I’m glad we left before we spent too much money.

We decided to hit the Gun Flint Tavern for lunch, a local spot right on the water that came recommended by locals. It was packed!

They had a great selection of craft beers and super-fresh menu options.

Neil ordered a bowl of andouille sausage and veggie soup to start, followed by the spicy dry rub wings. They smelled amazing!

I skipped the appetizers and went straight for a monster walleye sandwich with blue chips and cheese on the side. I just can’t come to Minnesota — especially so close to Lake Superior — and not get my walleye fix. It was SO good.

After lunch, we decided to peruse the local art fair that was happening outside…

I gravitated immediately to this handmade canoe. Is it not one of the most incredible things you’ve ever seen? Even the weaving on the bench seat is handmade. A work of pure art and patience, too pretty to put in the water if you ask me. On a side note: I really can’t wait until we get kayaks of our own.

We also walked enjoyed another walk along the shore. How can you not when you’re spoiled with a big beautiful lake to enjoy?

Canadian geese.

A seagull stalking from above.

After our hikes, showers, lunch and perusing it was back to the woods for us! Stay tuned for Day 4!

Note: From our pictures, it’s obvious we enjoyed some non-Paleo eats. This is our first vacation since going Paleo, and we decided that while we wouldn’t go crazy, we would enjoy local food and not stress diet too much.