Mom in the North Woods- July 2008

Well it is my mother's annual trip with me on the road. We started this last year when she came out to the Dakota's for a week and this year she chose a week in Minnesota. I made it a loop driving from St.Louis to Rochester, Mankato, Minneapolis, Duluth, and then home via Wisconsin (La Crosse and Madison) down through Illinois.
Vacation for my mom means two things; eating and reading books, and she did both with great gusto! I will post all the restaurants we ate at all week, but for scenery that was really at the end of the week when we made it to Northern Minnesota and then down into Wisconsin along the river road and toward LaCrosse.

The 1000' ships came in through the lift bridge in Duluth. We watched them right from our hotel room on Lake Superior

We woke on Friday to fog and 49 degrees. This is July!

First stop after Breakfast in Two Harbors was Gooseberry State Park. The sky was overcast but the wild flowers were still spectacular as was the waterfalls

The wild flowers are always a treat no matter where you go.

The Falls were very nice and running very well, so mom got a great view up close

Can you tell we are related! hehehe

Next stop was Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Normally spectacular view of Lake Superior as far as you can see, but today, only your hand in front of your face.

We left Split Rock and headed back south for the long drive to LaCrosse WI., but not before stopping for pie at Rustic Inn, a must stop for food, desserts, and T-shirts

We made it to LaCrosse and the Presidential Suite at the Courtyard Marriott. And after a great dinner at Manny's Mexican Restaurant and a Lobster Burrito for me and Lobster Enchiladas for Mom we departed saturday morning. It was a beautiful day on the river front in LaCrosse.

Restaurant Recommendation-

Rochester, MN- City Cafe (by the Mayo Clinic)

Minneapolis, MN- Blue Point in Wayzeta

Minneapolis, MN- Maynards on Lake Minnetonka

Duluth, MN- New Scenic Cafe

Two Harbors, MN- Vanillia Bean Cafe (great breakfast!)

Castle Danger, MN- Rustic Inn, great pie!

LaCrosse, WI- Manny's Mexican Restaurant