I have to say I was really impressed by the signage between Duluth and Lutsen. There were some fantastic signs for hotels, liqour stores and various viking named businesses. The fonts of the 50s-70s are alive and kicking up north.
Plus this is a good sign to kick off the trip.
The locals looked at me like I was nuts when I stood in the middle of the road to get this shot. How great and rustic is it?
I was a little confused about the whole "on/off" liqour signage. Alisa explained that it means you can go there and have a drink and buy a bottle, or something like that.
This is the bridge we walked to get from the resort to the Poplar Condos, where Alisa and Jeff stayed. Note: it's best not to wear kitten heels when navigating bridges, steps, mountains.
Sven just pulled in his boat.
Here's the view looking out onto Lake Superior @ Lutsen's beach.
A view of the resort, which was aptly opened by a family named "Nelson." I loved the decor, which reminded me of camp, only we were allowed to drink at this camp.
This is where Alisa and Jeff and several other guests stayed. Really nice with fireplaces and pretty views. Plus you can get pizza delivered there.
"There is a light and it never goes out/there is a light and it never goes out."
-- Morrissey
Morrissey would like Minnesota cause it has lots of lighthouses. Oof da!
Laura and I just happened to arrive in the town of Grand Marais (20 miles north of Lutsen) on National Donut Day! Thankfully, we were at the "World's Best Donut Shop." Score.
"Skizzle" is the name of the donut's shop legendary fried pastery, and apparently the name of this Nordic beauty. I'm playing the role of Sven, donut eater of the north.
When we bought the sour blueberry and rasberry rhuburb pie they said the Star Tribune voted them "Best Pies On The Planet" -- OK!
Alisa ordered these beautiful flowers, which were so her! All the girls arranged them during a Friday luncheon.
Alisa and Lauren each put together their own hand tied bouquets, which were lovely.
Alisa's friend Tammy explains the meaning of the henna that she has applied to Alisa's hands for the wedding day.
A blessingway is a ceremony that marks a major transition in a woman's life. Her female friends and family members gather around and give her their prayers and good wishes, as well as recalling special stories of her. Alisa is truly blessed with a strong and amazing group of women -- like her!
The woman in the middle is her great aunt who would walk her down the aisle the following day
Among the designs: a lotus flower, which symbolizes beauty and strength, and Jeff's initials hidden in the design
Jeff constructed a chuppa, which is a Jewish tradition that symbolizes a couple's home. He and the guys worked to assemble the chuppa out of bamboo on the beach.
They decided to move the ceremony indoors because of rain. Here friends worked on setting up the chuppa in front of the lodge's fireplace.
It was my job to walk around with this bowl of rocks and make sure all the guests had one. Their job was to throw their rock into Lake Superior before leaving the resort, sending their wishes for the couple into the world.