Cove Point Lodge | Wee Needle

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Cove Point Lodge, Gooseberry Falls State Park, hiking, Spring break, Tettegouche State Park, traveling

Back in the second to last week of March, I trekked north to Minnesota while everyone else traversed south. Why? Because of my sister of course!!! We had booked a room at Cove Point Lodge in Minnesota. It’s right on Lake Superior in pristine northern country, 100 miles south of Canada. So we were at least south of somewhere. A marvelous three nights and four days were spent hiking on snowy paths through pine and birch studded forests, eating at local towny restaurants, lounging in the pool, hot tub, sauna, or in room hot tub, and sewing (well more like refitting and cutting out of bodices). The staff at the lodge and every state park we visited were extremely polite, friendly, and welcoming. I ate the best food I’ve eaten all winter (well besides some of the super tasty meals I cook myself). Here are some photos of our sojourn!

The Lodge

Our room – complete with gas fireplace…

…and hot tub!

Tettegouche State Park

Summers growing up were spent one mile south of the Whitefish Point Lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My dad had a pen and ink and watercolor drawing of the Split Rock Lighthouse and the Western side of Lake Superior seemed so far away. I am a nerd. I’ll admit it. I love lighthouses. I love learning about the monotonous, tough lifestyle that the light keepers and their families endured. On a historical/romantic level – I would love to live that life. This lighthouse sits atop a 100 foot sheer rock cliff. It’s insane. The visitor center was open and had fascinating displays; however, touring the other buildings on the grounds was not possible because it was March and like most places, are only open from May to October. Still, my sister and I headed to the cliff and got our faces blown off. The wind chill was serious and deadly. No wonder shipping shuts down in the winter and the light keepers headed inland.

Split Rock Lighthouse

Looking down the side/edge of the cliff from the top

Downstairs off the main lobby area, they had a nice sitting area where lots of people read the newspaper in front of a huge stone fireplace or played games or simply just watched the ice move on the lake. They also had free hot beverages all day long. Awesome.

More hiking….

Gooseberry Falls State Park

This statue is a tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps who built this state park and many others like it in the 30’s and 40’s. Several handmade stone structures still stand throughout the park and they are wonderful pieces of architecture.

Part of the “castle wall” of the wayside. If you climb up the stairs (not pictured), it leads you up to the road and they have many historic photos of the men at work.

Beautiful skies on our last day