Whiteley Creek Homestead

Working our way along the North Shore, we arrived at the town of Grand Marais. I have longed to visit the North House School for many years. Where should we unknowingly end up, but in a campsite immediately alongside the school!

 
A short jaunt down a weedy trail and I was at the front door of one of the classrooms where traditional northern craft classes are offered in frame loom weaving, whole grain sourdough baking, natural plant dyes, soap making, basket weaving, felted wool, canoe building, wool braided rug making, and so many more.

One of the classes being offered during the 4th of July weekend was Scandinavian figure carving.

We chose to have lunch on the outside deck of the Angry Trout Cafe along the water's edge in downtown Grand Marais. A wall of rocks forms a bay to shield boats from Lake Superior's waves.

 
To provide a sense of how close we were to the water, our table was positioned against this metal post. We looked down upon a seagull swimming back and forth, undoubtably anticipating a handout.

I first met George Wilkes, who is the owner of the Angry Trout Cafe, a few years back at a Sustainable Tourism Conference in Minneapolis. As a conference presenter, he shared ways that he supports the local economy by utilizing as many products and services as possible from local providers and seeks out sustainably-raised foods. The teeny cloth napkins, sewn by a small business in Lutsen will immediately catch your attention… less fabric, less space in the washing machine and dryer means reduced water consumption. How large does a napkin really need to be anyway? Wind generates power for this restaurant that was formerly an "old commercial fishing shanty" that now provides a relaxing retreat on a sunny afternoon on the shores of Lake Superior.