Cruise on Rainy Lake aboard The Voyageur. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
We capped off our road trip with an unplanned visit to Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. Unplanned, because when I first thought about visiting the Northernmost Point I never even bothered to see what else there was to do near International Falls. Rookie mistake!
When we drove into International Falls and saw the signs for Voyageurs, I did a forehead slap and said “you dummy – how did you not remember this was here?!?!?” We were able to book a boat cruise on Rainy Lake and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Fortunately for us, Rainy Lake was not rainy on the day we visited, and I got a bunch of nice photos. We didn’t see much wildlife, but we did get to see lots of beautiful scenery. The lake is dotted with thousands of little islands like this one.
I’m posting way out of order, but we have begun our final leg toward home, so I wanted to post one final photo from the road. I’ll have more photos and stories once I get home and am catching up!
The copper mining industry began on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the 1840s. Lake Superior’s unreliable disposition meant that passing ships needed navigational assistance, and in 1851 the original lighthouse was built. The wooden tower which supported a fourth-order Fresnel lens illuminated by an oil lamp soon deteriorated, and in 1871 it was replaced by the present red brick structure. In 1895 a fog signal was added. In the 1960s, the Fresnel lens was replaced by aviation beacon-type white and red lights, which beam their warning to ships more than 20 miles offshore. After being tended by 22 keepers since 1851, the lighthouse became automated in 1980 and the last personnel left in 1982.
We spent a couple of days sightseeing in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, and as part of our rounds we stopped at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse for some photos. The lighthouse is an important part of Eagle Harbor’s history and is a familiar icon for those who visit.
I would typically want to photograph a lighthouse at dusk with the beacon operating, but our timing did not permit that for this trip!
Sunset over Lake Superior from Eagle Harbor, Michigan
We’ve been visiting with friends Jeff & Mary Pat in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. They are blessed with this wonderful view from essentially their front yard. I braved the mosquitos for a little while to receive a few gifts of a beautiful summer sunset.
A few evenings earlier I watched an even more colorful sunset from the comfort of their living room. That night the friendship, the conversation and the bourbon made it a good place to be simply an observer, but I didn’t want to leave without at least making the attempt at a photograph or two!
Sunset over Lake Superior from Eagle Harbor, Michigan
Sunset behind the Portage Canal Lift Bridge in Houghton, Michigan
I had the perfect opportunity to photograph the sunset behind the Portage Canal Lift Bridge in Houghton (pronounced HOE-tun) Michigan. Once again the clouds cooperated, and even though there were a few raindrops around, it was a pretty nice scene.
Hog Island Country Store along US 2 near Naubinway, Michigan
We passed a number of interesting places on our drive from Mackinaw City into the Upper Peninsula. A couple of places I passed and had to turn back. The reality is not always what the mind sees at first glance, but sometimes that first glance is just right!
‘Honest Injun Tourist Trap’ at 19073 US Route 2 near Gould City, Michigan‘Honest Injun Tourist Trap’ at 19073 US Route 2 near Gould City, Michigan
Kathy pointed this scene out to me the other day at my brother’s house. I was too lazy to get my camera out of the car but used my phone to make a few photos. The attraction was the one cushion that was up, the other one down and the shadows they made.
Fishing bobber stuck in a tree. North Park Lake near Pittsburgh, PA
We’re on our annual ‘Friends & Family” road trip, currently in Avon, OH visiting my brother and his family. A few days ago we met some friends for lunch at North Park near Pittsburgh (sorry Howard, we were only there for a few hours! 🙂 ). I “snagged” this photo while waiting for our friends and sitting on a bench alongside the lake. I hadn’t gotten my camera out of the car, but this little scene convinced me to go back and get it.
Champion trotter ‘Mr. Muscleman’ in the Hall of Champions at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
We capped off our visit to Kentucky with a day at the Kentucky Horse Park, near Lexington.
Funny Cide (foaled April 20, 2000) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was an immensely popular horse and remains a fan favorite in retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyFunny Cide (foaled April 20, 2000) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was an immensely popular horse and remains a fan favorite in retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
I don’t know much about horses, but I still found it to be an interesting place. One of the things that quickly becomes apparent is that horses need lots of care. Especially horses that are shown or raced at a high level. And even just casual ownership is not something for a part timer. You either need lots of time, lots of money to pay someone else, or most likely both.
Display of trophies from Calumet Farms in the International Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
The park puts on a number of shows during the day. We attended two “Parade of Breeds” shows, where they showcase specific breeds of horses, tell about their heritage and how they were utilized over the years. There is a barn with draft horses – they are huge! – and a Hall of Champions where they house former race winners, including Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. And don’t forget about the International Museum of the Horse!
The Knabstrupper or Knabstrup is a Danish breed of warmblood horse. It is principally a riding horse, but is also used as a harness horse and as a circus animal. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky‘Mackenzie,’ a Clydesdale/Dales Pony cross, part of the police horse force at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Haflinger, also known as the Avelignese, is a breed of horse developed in Austria and northern Italy (namely Hafling in South Tyrol region) during the late 19th century. Haflinger horses are relatively small, are always chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, have distinctive gaits described as energetic but smooth, and are well-muscled yet elegant. The breed traces its ancestry to the Middle Ages; several theories for its origin exist. Haflingers, developed for use in mountainous terrain, are known for their hardiness. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Akhal-Teke is a Turkmen horse breed. They have a reputation for speed and endurance, intelligence, and a distinctive metallic sheen. The shiny coat of the breed led to their nickname, “Golden Horses.” Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe American Brabant is a draft horse with 25 to 99% European Belgian bloodlines. It presents with a variety of appearances but is typically shorter in stature, short coupled and thick boned, with a good head and kind eye. Their calm, willing disposition makes them suitable for a wide range of work and they are most commonly found performing farm work, logging and pulling wagons. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe American Saddlebred is a horse breed from the United States. This breed is referred to as the “Horse America Made”. Descended from riding-type horses bred at the time of the American Revolution, the American Saddlebred includes the Narragansett Pacer, Canadian Pacer, Morgan and Thoroughbred among its ancestors. Developed into its modern type in Kentucky, it was once known as the “Kentucky Saddler” and used extensively as an officer’s mount in the American Civil War. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Fjord Horse or Norwegian Fjord Horse is a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of western Norway. It is an agile breed of light draught horse build. One of the world’s oldest breeds, it has been used for hundreds of years as a farm horse in Norway, and in modern times is popular for its generally good temperament. It is used both as a harness horse and under saddle. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Shire is a British breed of draught horse. It is usually black, bay, or grey. It is a tall breed, and Shires have at various times held world records both for the largest horse and for the tallest horse. The Shire has a great capacity for weight-pulling; it was used for farm work, to tow barges at a time when the canal system was the principal means of goods transport, and as a cart-horse for road transport. One traditional use was for pulling brewer’s drays for delivery of beer, and some are still used in this way; others are used for forestry, for riding and for commercial promotion. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyFinale of the Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Friesian (also Frizian) is a horse breed originating in Friesland, in the Netherlands. Although the conformation of the breed resembles that of a light draught horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size. It is believed that during the Middle Ages, ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horses throughout continental Europe. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe American Paint Horse is a breed of horse that combines both the conformational characteristics of a western stock horse with a pinto spotting pattern of white and dark coat colors. Developed from a base of spotted horses with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) breed registry is now one of the largest in North America. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed for horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered “hot-blooded” horses that are known for their agility, speed, and spirit. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Carolina Marsh Tacky or Marsh Tacky is a rare breed of horse, native to South Carolina. It is a member of the Colonial Spanish group of horse breeds, which also include the Florida Cracker Horse and the Banker horse of North Carolina. It is a small horse, well adapted for use in the lowland swamps of its native South Carolina. The Marsh Tacky developed from Spanish horses brought to the South Carolina coast by Spanish explorers, settlers and traders as early as the 16th century. The horses were used by the colonists during the American Revolution, and by South Carolinians for farm work, herding cattle and hunting throughout the breed’s history. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Sugarbush Draft is a relatively new breed of healthy and colorful draft horses that developed in the United States in the early latter half of the 19th century. Known for their strikingly spectacular coat and gentle disposition, these horses are still very popular in show events. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (pura raza española) is a horse breed from the Iberian Peninsula, where its ancestors have lived for thousands of years. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyFinale of the Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
Like I said, there is a lot to know about horses. And the more you know about horses the more you would probably enjoy a place like the Kentucky Horse Park.
Due to leaving the park during rush hour traffic, we ended up taking the “scenic route” back through the countryside, passing some of the huge horse farms you don’t see from the highway. THAT’S where the real money keeps their horses! 😉
It was a nice day – plenty of sunshine, reasonable temperatures and more time with friends. Oh, and lots of horses too! 🙂
Again, in case you missed it, more photos from our Kentucky trip are here.
Rickhouse at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky
I mentioned in an earlier post that Kathy & I had recently visited Bardstown, Kentucky. We met friends Jim & Lisa there, as it is roughly equidistant for them and for us. Kathy & I arrived a day early, visiting Bardstown Bourbon Company and Heaven Hill Distillery before meeting up with Jim & Lisa that afternoon.
Visitor Center at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, KentuckyPatio at the Kitchen and Bar. Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, KentuckyPatio at the Kitchen and Bar. Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, KentuckyInside the rick house at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. One of the loveliest smells in the world!Inside the rick house at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. One of the loveliest smells in the world!
The following day, the four of us visited the Kentucky Cooperage (no photos permitted) to see how barrels are made (a fascinating process), then Limestone Branch Distillery and Maker’s Mark.
Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky
The following day we visited Kentucky horse park for a whole different set of smells. 😉 Photos from that day will come later.
Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, KentuckyThe Worlds Smallest Rickhouse. Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky
For those who wish to see more, a gallery of photos from our trip are posted on my Adobe Portfolio website.
Inside the rick house at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. One of the loveliest smells in the world! Processed using “Denoise” in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
As in Murphy’s Law….
Kathy & I returned Sunday from a few days in Bardstown, Kentucky. We met our friends Jim & Lisa there, and spent a few days exploring distilleries and horse country.
This morning we needed to go to the grocery store. As we are in the beginning stages of what looks to be a week long monsoon, we went prepared. Raincoats and umbrellas, leaving the sunglasses at home. As it turned out, no rain, and the sun was peeking through the clouds as we left the store. Perfect!
When we returned home I decided to leave the car in the driveway, hoping for a “free car wash” to dispel the layer of dust we had accumulated over the week. Several hours later, no rain. Finally we got a nice heavy shower, just enough to wash off the loose crud. Good for a few more days!
