North Shore

After a quick stop in Minneapolis, a movie with Thomas, and a peek at baby Grayson, we drove north toward Duluth. On the way: a typical Minnesota dining experience at Bradford Roadhouse Bar & Grill. I couldn't resist sharing the appetizer menu, even though we passed on all these fried Minnesota delicacies.

We're spending a few days at Lutsen Lodge on the north shore of Lake Superior, about an hour south of the Minnesota-Canadian border. It's an grand, old-fashioned timber lodge with stunning lake views, exquisite dining and lots of local hiking, canoeing, fishing and lighthouse viewing. It's raining here today, but frankly, it's great to have a few down days in the midst of such a busy summer -- and a perfect excuse to stay in by the fireplace, work on some post-Missoula rewrites, read the Sunday New York Times (sadly, online) and soak in the two-person jacuzzi bathtub in the bedroom. Here are a few pix.

The view from our window, last night about 9 pm, right before the storm hit.

Poplar River falls runs right by the lodge and empties into Lake Superior. The water is rusty because it is full of iron from the local rocks and soil.

Between downpours, we went on a short hike on the resort property.

We found a miniature frog.