North Shore Images : Sugarloaf Cove

PXL_20210722_162634675.MP.jpg

Finally recovered from that Milwaukee Bucks win Tuesday night, we decided to take a trip north on Highway 61 to visit a very old place. Located near Schroeder, Minnesota, the area is known as Sugarloaf Cove.

PXL_20210722_153639760.jpg

The area is a small cove nestled on Lake Superior. The area used to be a highly busy commercial center in the lumber trade. As the cove provided protection against Lake Superior's nasty storms, lumber was loaded here on ships that transported the commodity across the lake to Ashland, Wisconsin.

PXL_20210722_164628986.jpg

As interesting as that history is, it was the ancient history of the area that I found most fascinating. The shoreline is made up of the remnants of a 1.1 billion-year-old lava flow. Bedrock is scattered all around the area.

PXL_20210722_161134551.jpg


PXL_20210722_155351728.MP.jpg


PXL_20210722_155217679.jpg

The area also features something called pahoehoe; pahoehoe is a Hawaiian term for swirly, whirly lava formations.

PXL_20210722_164650284.jpg

Our favorite was discovering the Xanthoria elegans everywhere on the rocks. That, apparently, is the Latin name for elegant sunburst lichen.

PXL_20210722_161904824.jpg


PXL_20210722_155744414.jpg


PXL_20210722_155731954.jpg

Sugarloaf Coven Point itself is another windswept, storm-born chunk of hardened lava that is yet another fantastic geological feature on Superior. Born violently, only to endure a violent life against Mother Superior.

PXL_20210722_155510849.jpg

PXL_20210722_155435662.jpg


PXL_20210722_155313949.jpg

Yet another amazing discovery along Highway 61. The North Shore has so many gems...one almost needs to spend an entire month up here just to see the tip of the iceberg.

PXL_20210722_155300766.jpg


PXL_20210722_155334196.MP.jpg


PXL_20210722_160942726.MP.jpg

The area even features an interpretive nature center. Funded and maintained by citizens of the area, this one is definitely a jewel of the lake. If you ever make it up this way, I would highly recommend a visit.

PXL_20210722_153824594 (1).jpg

Thank you, as always, for stopping by and taking a peek at these. Again, with everything going on in the world, I feel fortunate to be able to share a few of these scenes with everyone. More to come, too!

H2
H3
H4
3 columns
2 columns
1 column
3 Comments
Ecency