Honeymoon: Onward to Duluth, The Zenith City

Brooke and I went on a mini-moon shortly after our wedding last October. We always planned on going on a real honeymoon and we finally had the time to do exactly that. Montreal had been thrown around, but Brooke didn't have a passport with her new last name. Then Brooke threw out the idea of the UP of Michigan and the family cottage. 

That continued to be the plan until around early August when Brooke decided the South would be a better option. We had some friends we could visit in Tennessee and South Carolina sounded perfect in late August.  We changed our minds and headed for the north country.

When we first talked about getting married back when our relationship became serious, years before we were even engaged, we had thought Tokyo would be a cool place for our Honeymoon. With our mortgage and student loans a trip like that is out of the question. 


Day 1 

Along with some clothes and food this was all we brought for our trip.

We used most if not all of these items at some point on the trip, besides the Frisbees.

Scott picked me up from work and we were on our way. We had made a ton of snacks to take along for the car rides.

I had just finished shooting a wedding and was so ready for this trip. A real honeymoon.

This was going to be our first trip together that was longer then 7 days.

This ominous sky was nothing more than a brief downpour.

Once we arrived in Duluth we stopped at Fitgers Brew House to pick up a couple growlers.

As you'll see, we enjoyed quite a few local craft brews along the honeymoon.

Blake had an awesome wild rice dinner waiting for us when we arrived. 

Brussels sprouts, Brooke's favorite veggies.

After dinner Blake ventured upstairs and we relaxed on his roommates sofa, our bed for the next two nights. Blake started eating fish this summer after being a strict vegetarian since he was a tween. He only eats fish he catches with the fishing pole you see above.

After dinner we decided to go on a walk.

We did not have a craving for Taco John's. This was plopped down in the middle of the parkway we walked along.

After walking for quite a while and enjoying some Duluth perspectives we started getting tired. I couldn't even keep my eyes open. The Zenith city's hills can do that to you.

I was pooped from walking up all them.

Day 2

The next morning Blake took us to one of his favorite breakfast joints Uncle Louis.

 While standing in line I was tempted by this place.

I continued playing games with Cevonne while on our trip. I know I'm like 6 months behind on the trend.

She recently got a tablet and is obsessed.

The Bs built the leaning tower of half-and-halfs while we waited for our food. What a memory.

Uncle Louis is run by Greek's, so I had a gyro scrambler. It came with a "side" of French toast, which was cooked with pancake batter instead of eggs and milk!

Back at Blake's house we slathered on sunscreen before heading out to Blake's backyard.

Scott was having trouble walking downhill. I offered him some help.

Let's clear things up who didn't read Brooke's last blog about Duluth. Blake's "backyard" is Chester Park, a series of trails and pocket parks along the Chester Creek. My very old shoes were not made for hiking.

I got my first tour of the Duluth flood damage along the route. You can't really tell in this photo, but those trees at the top are on top of a washed out hillside.

We walked towards the Chester Park ski hill.

Then we took a gander up at the old ski jumps.

I stumbled upon on some dirty boxers. Gross Duluth.

Scott saw a ship in the distance.

I had to check if my glasses weren't tricking me.

We hung out on the porch deciding what to do next. 

I suggested Enger Tower. 

Scott and I came here 3 years ago on our first visit to Duluth and I thought it might be fun to see it again. Poor Blake didn't mention that he was just here a few weeks ago when my parents were in town. 

We enjoyed the panorama and I stitched this one together for you, the reader. Click on it for a closer look.

Blake caught a grasshopper while Scott went to change his shoes. 

We ventured on another hike in the area. Blake spotted some chaga on the way. 

After crossing the third road down the hill, we'd had enough. Blake's become quite the mountain man since he moved to Duluth. Brooke and I are better on bike than foot.

Blake also spied some wild plums on the way down. 

Back at the car we had some strawberry leather. 

I only brought 2 pairs of shoes along; sneakers and my maryjanes. While we were hiking around Enger tower the bottom of one of my shoes started to peel off. We stopped downtown in search of some new shoes for me. 

Being a mansion expert, Blake wanted to compare his to the one in Superior. We were the last tour of the day so the tour guide let us walk around on our own and ask her any questions we had. Although not quite as big as Glensheen, Fairlawn had more rooms and once had a swimming pool (and a bowling alley) in the basement. The house was used as an orphanage for awhile so not everything was kept as it originally was.

While in Superior we stopped at our favorite restaurant Thirsty Pagen. Apparently you have to be 21 and older to eat here. Blake is only 20. 

Did we end up eating here? Find out in our next post.