Another Sable Lake Area Hike

Since it is still deer hunting rifle season for a couple more days, my exercise partner, Lois Fite, and I feel more comfortable hiking in the dunes where there is more visibility.  Since my grandfather was accidentally killed while deer hunting east of Grand Marais in the late 1930s, I am a bit sensitive and careful about hiking this time of year.

We parked at Sable Lake and hiked most of the way across the dunes, headed east to climb up a big dune, and then headed back.

Just as we were climbing up the first dune, a helicopter flew overhead.

The reflections on Sable Lake were awesome.

Berries on a juniper bush....

Looking north from the top of a huge dune....

Heading back to Sable Lake....

Moon and Grand Marais Bay Photos

Over the last couple of days I have taken a few pictures of the moon plus a few of Grand Marais Bay.

Setting moon...

Our bay....

Moon rise over the bay last night...

22nd Annual Starry, Starry Night "Black Friday" in Grand Marais

Rather than heat the museum and sit there trying to stay warm, Lois and Jamey Fite invited me to set up items to sell at their B&B.  This synergistic relationship allowed people to see their beautiful accommodations, and it allowed me to sell mineral art in a warm environment.  In total we had over 40 people come by, many of whom did purchase items.  Thanks to everyone who stopped and shopped!

Night light display....

A very full table of items for sale...

 

Lois did a great job on preparing the snacks...

Let's go to the Beach

Since the number of days that we can walk the beach with non-frozen sand, yesterday Lois and I decided to go for a walk on the beach.

Dunes Hike in the Snow

Yesterday was an interesting weather day in Grand Marais.  In the morning we had on and off again lake effect snow.  Some of the snow was quite heavy, but the total accumulation was less than two inches.  In the afternoon the snow bands shifted and we had beautiful sunshine with big puffy clouds out over the lake.  My exercise partner, Lois Fite, and I parked at Sable Falls and headed into the dunes from there.

From the Sable Falls parking lot we hiked west across the foot bridge.

Then we went into the dunes and headed southwest....

Looking north at a lake effect squall....

More lake effect squalls over the lake....

Looking up....

Heading back to the car.....

Masse Homestead Trail and Dunes Hike

Yesterday was cold, windy, and a bit snowy.  Although there were snowflakes in the air, they only amounted to a trace on the ground.  Lois and I parked along H58 a mile past Sable Lake, hiked 20 minutes down the Masse Homestead Trail, and then up into the dunes.

It is cool that some species of fern stay green under the snow so that they can get a jump start in the spring when the snow melts.

Just a dusting of snow...

Club moss....

Into the dunes....

Lichen....