A trip to Duluth

Back in September I was dying for a break from work and in need of a vacation.  We had decided to postpone our 'big' trip for spring but we both needed to get out of the city even if only for a few days.  And then an email came in with an offer to use points for a couple of free nights at a hotel - we jumped at the opportunity!  (thanks Dan!) 

After a bit of deliberation we decided on Duluth.  I have really wanted to get up to the northern part of Minnesota and while Duluth isn't quite the Boundary Waters we would still be able to do lots of hiking and be on Lake Superior. 

We did scenic drives, saw the nuts watching the raptor migration (seriously), walked the lakeside trail, did one of the top hikes yet, had good food, and strolled along the beach... 

(pics are a mix of mine and daniels from both my camera and the point and shoot)

We had so much fun on this getaway.  Lots of adventure packed into only a couple of days.  We spent the entire time talking about how neat it would be to have a vacation cottage up there.  It was a beautiful area and we felt so relaxed and comfortable there. 

The hiking was awesome.  We were able to a (very small) portion of the Superior Trail which is supposedly a top hiking trail in the country... I believe it.  We picked up a brochure thing at the trail club office that lists best sections for day hikes... we just might have to go back to do more of them.