A Split Rock Beacon Lighting and Forest History Center Up North-Duluth Weekend

I had joked to Blake a weekend back that we would come up again the following week. The more I thought about it the more it seemed like a good idea.

So, we did.

We drove up on Friday again. Today was the annual lighting of the Split Rock Lighthouse. Sadly, Blake had to work late and couldn't join us. They only do this once a year in memory of the lives lost in the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. I had no idea how busy it was going to be. We ended up parking at the corner of Highway 61 at the road that goes into the park.

Once there we had to stand in line to take our turn inside of the lighthouse. I joked around this point that everyone was exaggerating how cold it was.

The advantage of the long wait was that it got darker and darker out. This also meant it was getting colder.

It was freezing by the time we made it to the front of the line. Incredibly we saw one woman with capris and no socks.

A few people were definitely not properly dressed.

Once inside we went through two rooms before ascending the stairs. This time the reenactors in each room gave us a brief history lesson and background behind the engineering that made the lighthouse possible.

It was super dark by the time we got out of the lighthouse. We wanted to go down by the beach, but settled for the lookout point just down the path to the lakeshore.

It was really dark and the wind was bitter cold.

When we arrived back at Blake's, dinner was all ready for us. So fancy, Daniel and Blake.

Blake made a salad and a veggie spaghetti per Meadow's request. For dessert we had ice cream.

It turns out Dr Pepper syrup is amazing.

Meadow agreed to eat dessert with us after eating dinner by her lonesome in the living room.

Then Meadow had an idea to make a lasso.

Who knew Meadow had a future as a rodeo cowgirl.

Suddenly it started snowing heavily. Blake took Meadow outside to sled out front. I was cold and watched from the window.

Meadow kept continuing her lassoing once back inside.

When we got up Meadow was not ready for our Saturday adventure.

We had to get to Grand Rapids for our day at the Minnesota Forest History Center. So, breakfast was a simple egg, cheese and avocado breakfast bagel.

I wanted to make something filling since I figured we wouldn't be eating for awhile.

After a drive through a flat, tamarack filled landscape, we were at the Forest History Center.

I'm trying to take advantage the last few weeks that I have left of my Minnesota Historical Society Membership.

I had texted my mom a photo of the lighthouse and she mentioned she had renewed our membership! We have seen a lot, but there are still some we haven't seen yet.

The Forest History Center is an old logging camp. I was excited to see this place.

The cab of a logging truck was Meadow's favorite thing inside of the museum.

The museum was nice and all, but we were here for the recreated logging camp. I don't think Blake was supposed play the accordion.

We were told a tour guide would be waiting at the camp, but we didn't see anyone so we gave ourselves a tour. The camp is supposed to reflect the winter of 1900. Being here in the winter gave it a more authentic feel.

Today happened to be kids cooking day. It was warm and toasty in the camp dining hall. Other kids were already helping when we arrived. Meadow was too scared to participate. I really hope the next kid is more outgoing.

When Meadow's shyness takes over you can't really get her to participate in front of strangers. But she will drink a hot chocolate.

In hopes that Meadow would do better later, we left the cook shanty to look at the rest of the camp.

Outside the tool maintenance building was a two man saw. We weren't sure if we were allowed to use it, but we did anyway.

Brooke and Blake were a much better team.

The tool maintenance guy got his own room. Not a bad job.

We were surprised to see actual horses in the stable.

I wish they were doing sleigh rides.

Meadow decided she was ready to go back and try baking. When she realized she doesn't get any treats unless she makes them herself she changed her mind. She was almost ready to do it until she had to put on an apron and wash her hands. Blake was willing to do it with her, but she still insisted on only watching.

First Blake made a hand pie.

Blake had to have been the first person to choose prunes all day long. He later claimed that this was the first time he's eaten a prune in his life.

Then we learned how to make "cold shuts" or doughnuts.

Just Blake got to eat the treats.

Brooke got an apron on, but didn't make anything for some reason.

Meadow's new thing is to not wear her winter coat no matter how cold it is. Eventually she caves in when she's shivering.

After seeing all the buildings we walked over to the river to see the wanigan. After all the logs were cut in the winter the men would float them down the river traveling along side them in their raft houses.

A woman walking by asked if Meadow got too hot. I replied, "Nope she's just a Minnesotan".

We were all hungry and planned on eating at Pasties Plus, because that just seemed right after the logging camp. They were only take out with a small table. So, we got some for dinner and breakfast and headed over to the local Mexican joint, El Potro.