We said goodbye to Cath at around 5pm on Sunday afternoon and headed north to Duluth, which is on Lake Superior. Rene lives and works here during the week, her actual home is further North west in a little town called Ely. I drove up with Luba  in her car and we yakked non stop for the two hour drive.

We arrived in Duluth just after 7pm, it was already dark and we were all tired so we just stayed home in Rene’s condo. She had pre prepared a spaghetti bake, so we ate at home and just chatted and planned our Monday trip. Our planned early night obviously never happened, too much to say and share and laugh about! After a cream pie breakfast- yes cream pie breakfast- kindly provided by Luba’s sister, we hit the road. I forgot to mention earlier that in Minneapolis Cath was the designated driver and Luba the prolific tour guide. Up north, both duties were taken over by Rene…with Luba and I simply providing the fill in chatter. First off in the morning, we took a walk around the harbour area of Duluth, and watched a ship come into port under the very impressive raised bridge. Massive cargo carriers which transport steel. We drove north most of the day along the shores of Lake Superior. Dad, your favourite saying of “Jislaaik Pa maar dis ‘n groot dam” has never been more true. Sadly, much is lost in translation as I tried to explain it to my friends.

We had frequent stops at various parks we climbed down to see waterfalls, gorges, beaches and other scenic areas. Rene is a forester by profession and her knowledge of the fauna and flora – not to mention music and sport is simply mind boggling. We saw many bald eagles, some deer, trees, plants, vultures, hawks, crows, ravens…….and the list goes on. The leaves up here are only just starting to turn, not as prolific as further south, but you can see enough to simply be in awe of mother nature. Cliffs and forests and beach houses, and towns and ports and bridges. A sensory feast.

We stopped for lunch and I had a meatloaf with mash and gravy. Finally we ended up in Grand Marais, about 60 miles south of the Canadian border. Here we filled up with blizzard ice cream. Yes Dawn and Dorothy – you can be very jealous. I had a pumpkin blizzard….with bits of pie crust in it. Absolutely scrumptious. We then turned around and headed home. Rene put on Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits and the three of us belted out Springsteen songs all the way home. We got home just before 8pm and sadly had to say goodbye to Luba. Can you believe she drove all the way up here, just to spend all day with me on Monday and then drive all the way home.

Rene and I had leftovers at home for dinner and then just sat and chatted. Today, She is working, so I have just had a catch up day. Have done all my washing, taken a walk through town and just caught my breath.  Had a great skype with Mom and Dad. I found the most amazing second hand furniture store where I spent a good while. Man if I had a crate to ship things in I would have spent a fortune. Rene and I met up for lunch and then she rook me to get my hire car. I was upgraded to a medium size suv, I got a black Dodge Voyager.

Tomorrow will be an early start, I will drop Rene and her friend  Annie off at the airport at 4am , as they are heading to Boston for a wedding. I will then begin my road trip south towards Chicago.

I am so touched at how much these jungle buddies have done for me. So much time and effort spent on planning and showing me as much as possible. So much care and kindness and accommodating of my idiosyncrasies. All my meals and accommodation and transport and ball game tickets paid for. I literally had to stamp my feet and sulk to be allowed to pay for one breakfast and one dinner in the past four days.  Antoinette, your words ring in my ears – people are kind to you if you allow them to be! From my pictures I am sure you can all see that I have had an incredible time so far.

Brenda (Rene), Barney (Luba) and Katie (Cathy) – Lu-Anne(that’s me)….cannot say thank you enough. Not once did it cross my mind that I should have gone solo to a hotel. I am sad to end this part of my adventure and look so forward to hosting you 3 amigos in my beautiful country.

Repacking of suitcases this afternoon and loaded my big ‘n heavy case in the car. Set my car seat, the satnav and nested in the car, ready for my road trip south. This afternoon I went for a walk along the Lakeside. Saw the memorials for Vietnam and Korean wars. The wind has been blowing and the waves on the lake were huge. Took some more great scenic pics. I headed back home just after 6pm to open up the parking garages for Rene and Annie. Quick introductions and settling in, I am happy to say I have won the bedroom turf war! LOL! Easy company, no mess no fuss, and lots of laughs. We tootled off to 7 West Taphouse for dinner. On Rene’s recommendation I had a barbecue burger with coleslaw. The best burger I have ever had.

Now the two are packing furiously for their trip to Boston. You know me….I was done by 2pm. Rene are you sorry yet that I did not domthe washing for you??? Alarm is set for 3.30am to leave by 4. So it will be an early night for all….yeah right! Watch this space.

I will chat again along the road….thanks for traveling with me.

Duluth shadow

Th colours are coming in

Angry waves on Lake Superior

Downtown Duluth

Squirrell

Signboard to faraway destinations

So pretty

Nelson for Tyla

Locks for Kaylee

Vietnam memorial on the side

Korean memorial

Lake through the trees

Big waves on Lake Superior

Annie photo bombing herself

Pumpkin latte

Superior avenue

Fresh marrows at the market

Its pumpkin time

Massive hubbard swuash

Pretty street light and hanging gardens

Just for Dawn

If this would fit in my case

Great dindins

Finally, just before I sign off. I have just loaded whatsapp onto Rene’s phone and these are some of her pics taken

Selfie with Rene and Luba

Self on lake

Luba and I

At the falls

On the steps at Cath’s house

Love this pic

Jungle gals

Our scary pic at Target Park

This was a mission

At the ball game

My favourity pic

Love this

Learning to pitch

Legoland at Mall of America

Sculpture garden

Stunnin

A picture worth a thousand words