Our First Family Vacation of the Summer!

Several weeks ago, you might recall that I blogged about the recent Historic Flooding in Duluth, MN.  What I failed to mention in that particular post was the fact that our annual trek to the North Shore was actually slated for the July 4th Holiday this year...and that I had considered cancelling due to the extensive, devastating floods Duluth and the surrounding areas.  However, thanks to a friend who grew up in Duluth and who still has family there we were encouraged to "stay the course" and make our way to the North Shore.  She assured me that she had just been up there and that most of the "touristy" areas of Duluth, including the infamous Canal Park, were virtually untouched.  So we hedged our bets and went anyway...and boy, am I glad that we did!

Nearly every area that we typically visit was untouched, already cleaned up, or a clean up was in progress.  We didn't encounter any issues with detours or delays due to damaged roads and found that most places were easily accessible to us.  However, there was a lot of destruction to be seen if you chose to seek it out -- side streets riddled with sinkholes or missing altogether, a few restaurants and businesses closed (not ones we normally frequent) and in the process of being repaired, EROSION...like I have never seen before, and the water in Lake Superior was still clay-colored from all of the run-off.

At a time where the economy is already so unstable -- a blow like a 500 year flood event to an area such as this one (very high levels of tourism over the entire summer) would seem like it would have the potential to send the city to its knees and bury it forever.  However, we saw people out working their hardest to breathe live back into every nook-and-cranny of the city and the outlying areas.  Inspiring really.

Needless to say, our tourism dollars were greatly needed (and appreciated!) throughout our four day stay.  Folks went out of their way to provide us with information regarding what was open, or wasn't, whenever we asked questions.  We attended the "Fourth Fest" and watched the evening fireworks light up the sky over Lake Superior the night of July 4th.  Breathtaking.  Beautiful. 

They will rebuild.  And we will come again.  Thank you again to the wonderful folks in Duluth and the surrounding areas for making our family vacation a wonderful one...even amidst one of the most devastating times in your history!

Some of my favorite photos from the trip:

"Little Man" looking out over Lake Superior

Ms. Mischievous!  (Do you see the Devil in her eyes?!)

Hilton Honors "Welcome Gift"
A four pack of Red Bull...with a funny card to boot.
I guess being a Diamond-level member really does have its perks!

"Feisty Girl" at Gooseberry Falls

Little Man's "Serious Face"
(He was doing some rock climbing and was all business!)

A little jog through the forest!

Mom, "Little Man," & "Feisty Girl"
in the river above the Upper Falls at Gooseberry

Physical therapy exercises in the great outdoors...
my man is committed like no other!

Dad & the kiddos (upper falls in the background)

Letting off some steam!

And the winner is?!?

OH!  That is cold!

Skipping rocks on Lake Superior

Beautiful rock-lined beach

Family Photo-Op!

Best little joint in Duluth to purchase a cold treat on a warm day!