Gooseberry Falls State Park

This week for Travel Tuesday I am taking you to an area in Minnesota near the shorelines of the beautiful and massive Great Lake Superior.  Gooseberry Falls, located right off of HWY 61.

Gooseberry Falls are about five different falls that come down from the mountain and cliffs and then go into Lake Superior.

It's actually pretty short and easy hiking, there is even a 1 mile handicap access trail that will take you down to the main section of the falls.
But there are actually 18 miles of trails, so you can take your pick and go as far or as short as you'd like.

Depending on the time of year, you can get right out and hike down on the cliffs around the falls, I had a fun time picking my way on these for different vantage points.  Also on a hotter day, it is a great way to cool off.

There is also a visitors center, bathrooms and picnic sites for those who want to spend a half to full day in the area.

I actually took a part of another trail called Castle Danger which also takes you out to some beautiful overlooks, it was actually a little over two miles round trip added to the Gooseberry Falls trail.

What will you get by visiting this area?  Waterfalls, lots and lots of beautiful waterfalls.  Not to mention some fun hiking and breathtaking views and overlooks.

If you're going to be visiting the North Shores area of Minnesota, I highly recommend taking an hour or two and visiting Gooseberry Falls State Park

IF YOU GO

* HWY 61 from Duluth to Canada is a beautiful scenic drive right along the coast of lake superior, a definite must do, if you have a day or two.

* Take water and a camera so you can stay out and enjoy the sights no matter where your feet take you around the state park.

* Its free, at least I was not charged to park or hike around the area.

* For my friends to love to run, The Grandma's Marathon held in June, is just down the road.  Great place for a racecation!

Finally Feeling Better and a Little Mountain Time

Finally I started feeling better.  In fact, by last Wednesday I woke up no longer in a lot of pain when I took a deep breath:)
Yay, I have been excited that the respiratory illness has finally decided to leave!  That seriously wiped me out over the last 3 weeks!

I am still overly tired and seem to be able to sleep forever.  It's not related to the cold I am getting over.  But I am not in the mood to dwell on that today.

I am so embarrassed at my Fitbit numbers, I even had a week where I reached the unranked section.... Ya, not good and even worse when I don't like in my mind looking lazy, even if it was out of my control:)

I also haven't had as much time to spend visiting other blogs, at least not much as I normally spend.  I have been reading blogs at work, but most are too hard to comment by phone, so I haven't shared as much comment love. *sorry*

I am going to try a light run this morning.  I just need it for the
relaxation part of it! I have to do something later today that is needed, but I am not looking forward to it and I think getting out for a light run will help before that portion of my day begins!

Wednesday after an appointment I found myself not to far from one of my favorite canyons, so I couldn't help to instead of turning the car to go home, turn it to head up the canyon.  It was a beautiful drive (pic's shared in this post today), spring hasn't quite sprung in the mountains here yet except for in the lower elevations.  I drove up to about 9000 ft, and although most of the snow (since we like skipped winter here this year) was melted, the lakes are still frozen over.  However, a lot will change over the next month and I am really looking forward to camping on the weekends again come June!

I rarely take selfies, here is my niece
and I taking a hiking break for a camera
kissy face pic:)

Thursday, I was a bit in the outdoorsy mood.  (When am I not:) So I went with a sister and her two cute kiddo's and we did a little hiking.
We only went about 2 miles, and it took us 3 hours.  That's what happens when you walk the pace of a 2 & 4 year old:)  But that's okay, since my lungs still weren't the best, it actually worked out perfectly and I just felt fine and enjoyed a new hike I had never been on.  Even though it's one that technically in a way is visible from my house.
I know weird huh!  From my front door, I live about 20 minutes away from over 70 different hiking trails.  I've taken all maybe 3 of those my entire life.
It's not that I don't hike, I guess I just don't mind a further drive to a destination to start, but I have decided this year I am going to start take advantage of the close proximity of so many awesome trail heads closer to home.

However, if you ask my niece she told me to make sure I only pick hikes that don't have bugs, LOL She is such a girly girl, but that's okay!

My cute niece and nephew love to throw rocks.

I booked a few more weddings for this year, and I have a big one that I am getting everything prepped for later this week.
This week, I am going to focus on staying busy instead of things in my life out of my control.  I am also going to definitely get out and begin running again.
It's going to take a couple of weeks to work back up, after not running for almost 4 weeks. But that's okay, I am looking forward to it!

LAST, I just opened sign ups this morning for the next Giveaway Hop, that will run in JUNE. If you'd like to join us we'd love to have you. Visit HERE to sign your blog to join.



So that is a little brief on my week.  How did your week go?  Have you been getting out and enjoying spring too?