Attractions and other places we visit.
We visited the Rainy Lake visitor center, and did the Grand Tour guided boat trip in Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
Our boat:
A stop at Little American Island, a former mining area:
Mine:
Back on the boat:
There are a number of houseboats that people can rent; a fun way to explore the lake:
Exhibits handed around:
Bald eagle:
A houseboat docked:
Back at the visitor center, Jenn with her last passport page of parks in the contiguous 48 states:
Exhibits:
We visited the Lake Kabetogama and Ash River visitor centers in Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. Our last National Park in the contiguous US!
The Lake Kabetogama Visitor Center:
Jenn got her passport stamp:
Exhibits:
Ash River Visitor Center:
Lilies:
A short walk along Beaver Pond Overlook Trail:
We visited the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan. Jenn has Finnish ancestry, so it was particularly interesting for her.
The adjoining North Wind Books store:
We took a scenic drive around the upper Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Here’s an interactive map of our route, heading counter/anti-clockwise (Jenn recently pointed out that I always write “anti-clockwise”, but “counter-clockwise” is the typical American form; my Kiwi roots showing again):
Lake Linden:
The beginning of US 41:
Copper Harbor:
Copper Harbor Overlook, with a view of Lake Superior:
Esrey Park overlook:
Eagle Harbor lighthouse:
Jacob’s Falls:
Keweenaw snow thermometer:
Quincy Mine Hoist:
We visited Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, journeying there and back on a small floatplane; much faster than a boat.
An interactive map of the Rock Harbor area is Isle Royale:
Float plane:
Isle Royale:
Lunch at the cafe:
Seating and harbor:
We did a hike on Stoll Trail:
A post-hike snack:
Loons:
Back to the float plane for the return journey:
We visited Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana. Perhaps one of the least interesting parks we’ve visited… it really should have remained a National Lakeshore.
To be fair, we were recovering from Covid at the time, so weren’t feeling up for climbing dunes or even walking along the beach… which is pretty much all there is to do there.
Here’s a map of the park; click or tap for a larger edition:
Bison out front of the visitor center:
Flowchart of options:
Map:
Visitor center:
An art:
Beach access to Lake Michigan:
Century of Progress historic homes:
A dune:
Yawn.
We did a pregame tour and attended a game of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs the Chicago White Sox at the Pirates’ ballpark, PNC Park.
Jenn’s game summary:
We took a tour of the park before the game, and it’s a lovely ballpark. A beautiful view of the skyline and numerous neat touches throughout—plantings and artwork that tie the present to the past. The team has a rich history and shows much respect for its roots. The current team, however, is not good. Blown out by the White Sox, who are also one of the worst teams—an embarrassment. Still, the fans show up to root for “the Bucs”. Cute pierogi race between innings and a Warhol cam to salute a famous son of the city.
An interactive map of the ballpark and environs:
PNC Park:
Exhibits:
Pirates logos:
Exploring PNC Park:
A suite:
Tenders and fries:
View from our seats in Section 115, row S, seats 27 & 28:
Preparing home plate:
Play ball:
Warhol Cam:
Nachorita:
Race:
Mascot:
Scores:
Crew credits:
The second of two games of the New York Yankees vs our Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium in New York.
We visited their Monument Park:
And their museum:
Some Benihana for dinner:
View from our seats in Section 124, Row 10, Seats 17 & 18:
Starting lineups:
Marking home plate:
Cal:
Keys to the game:
Seat selfie:
Mariners warming up:
Play ball:
A nearby fan caught a foul ball:
Run scores:
Exploring the ballpark:
More food:
Dancing grounds crew and train:
Run scores:
80’s in the 8th:
Tied game:
Alas, Yankees win again:
