Grand Portage to Grand Marais, Minnesota Wednesday, June 2, 2021
My father’s mother was a de Lima, from the Sephardic Jewish side of the family, her father was a bank president and considered one of the “grandees” of New York City in the early 1900s. Me, I’m just grandiose.
I got a cheap hotel room last night, with a view of an airshaft, but tonight decided I would splurge on a view of Superior. I was very self-indulgent today, sleeping late, lingering over breakfast, emailing with friends, and not hitting the road until almost noon. There was no rush, I knew it would be too much to bike 50 miles to Eagle Mountain and climb it on the same day, it was a 7 mile hike, with another 20 miles beyond to lodging or a campsite. So instead, I just biked 35 miles to the next town, Grand Marais, the closest to the mountain.
Some construction at the beginning, but then nothing but a gorgeous road paralleling this incredible lake, which I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Again, my few pictures just can’t capture the sprawling majesty of a freshwater ocean, with subtle lighting that reminded me of Cape Cod.
I stopped at pebbly beach and dipped in my toes, the water was surprisingly warm in the shallow area.
Grand Marais reminded me of Wellfleet without the salt. Sadly, much of it had road construction, but I could still see the charm. The motel recommended a local fish place, the Angry Trout, and I did have a great meal there and watched the scenery once again.
Then back to the motel to do my laundry while soaking in the hot tub.
Sunrise from the motel the next morning.
Eagle Mountain looms 1700 feet above the lake, but you wouldn’t know it in the view from the town.
Alas, the motel is fully booked tonight, so I can’t just keep my bags here while I bike to the trailhead, I will need to take them with me. The silver lining is that I can take a different way down, and make some progress towards the next destination.
Distance 35 miles, 2,103 total. Time 4 hours with stops. Elevation gain 944 feet.
©️ 2021 Scott Luria
The Ends of the Earth 
Glad to see you are making your way down the shore! It was so nice to meet you in Isle Royale. Let us know if you need a place to stay in Duluth or any recommendations. We will be around this weekend.
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Hi Scott!
We’ve not met but our connections are that I live in Williston, my husband (Matt) was one of your patients and I worked at the food shelf with Jane and Hope.
I’ve read every blog post you’ve posted, and have LOVED following along on this journey! I had to comment today because these photos of Grand Marais remind me of one of my favorite places — Ogunquit ME — and that shallow pebbly water and sunset photo of the beach stand out for me — they’re just so calming and beautiful!
Thanks for taking the time to post each day; like many others, I’m taking this trip vicariously through your blog.
Continued safe travels and thanks for bringing us along with you!
Anne
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