blindbo
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by blindbo on Apr 13, 2019 19:05:51 GMT -5
Yes, I suppose I'm asking for you to give up your secrets....😁 I'll be driving this area the first couple weeks in June. Interested in hunting rocks of any sort, not necessarily agates. Where should I be stopping and what should I pass by? Thanks!
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Post by wigglinrocks on Apr 13, 2019 21:25:35 GMT -5
Check out the book " Lake Superior Rocks and Minerals " . Pretty good resource . Or any rocky beach has potential for interesting rock .
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blindbo
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by blindbo on Apr 14, 2019 8:00:48 GMT -5
Am I going to be up against any black fly problems during this time of year? Also, off the rock subject, but anyone know of interesting sight seeing, museum or event activities in this area?
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Post by fernwood on Apr 14, 2019 8:52:56 GMT -5
Tons of other attractions in the areas. You mentioned North Shore of Superior. Since you said WI/MN, does this also include South Shore? When I was last in those areas there were no black flies. Do not know if this has changed. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions. I know the WI South Shore very well. Also, what other areas of WI will you be traveling through?
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Post by wigglinrocks on Apr 14, 2019 9:21:29 GMT -5
Different times of the summer has different bugs buzzin around . Haven't had bugs ruin a trip to the area yet . Kinda annoying at times though . As fernwood said , there are so many things to see and do in the area it would be hard to list them all here . But just a couple places of interest would be the Great Lakes Visitor Center just west of Ashland , WI . Another cool stop would be GrizzWorks by Maple WI , they do award winning chainsaw carving . Best bet is to check online at the department of tourism or something like that to give you a start . Stop at state visitor centers and look at all the info they have . Lot of cool places aren't advertised very well so as you're traveling , be prepared to come to a screeching halt when ya see something of interest . Both WI and MN has some gorgeous waterfalls , some easy access some not so easy .
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Post by fernwood on Apr 14, 2019 10:11:26 GMT -5
Different times of the summer has different bugs buzzin around . Haven't had bugs ruin a trip to the area yet . Kinda annoying at times though . As fernwood said , there are so many things to see and do in the area it would be hard to list them all here . But just a couple places of interest would be the Great Lakes Visitor Center just west of Ashland , WI . Another cool stop would be GrizzWorks by Maple WI , they do award winning chainsaw carving . Best bet is to check online at the department of tourism or something like that to give you a start . Stop at state visitor centers and look at all the info they have . Lot of cool places aren't advertised very well so as you're traveling , be prepared to come to a screeching halt when ya see something of interest . Both WI and MN has some gorgeous waterfalls , some easy access some not so easy . I love the Visitor's Center. by US 2. The GrizzWorks is amazing. Do not know if the chainsaw carver South West of Washburn on 13 is still active. He did amazing works and also had a rock shop. Waterfalls are amazing, for sure. One place, if you are in Washburn is West End Park. Campground, marina, a peninsula that when Lake superior is at low tide, allows walking access to Boy Scout Island. Well, walking access with waders, or if a 5'6" person can tolerate walking through sandy water up to their waist. I fished that area many times. Walked to the island several. The island has many rock locations, as does the beach and trek there. My inlaws live a block from West End. Another place is the beach ti the West of Ashland. It often becomes flooded, which enhances the rocks there. Full service beach, with bathrooms, picnic tables and parking. Lots of driftwood, if you are into that. Beach glass. Lake Superior agates. Walking distance to many opportunities for food/drink/lodging. I know Ashland/Washburn/Bayfield very well. Did not touch on Bayfield, as there is just too much there.
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blindbo
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by blindbo on Apr 15, 2019 8:25:43 GMT -5
I'll be visiting in Chicago, then a beeline to Ironwood MI on the WI border. From there, head west on the Lake shore, up through MN and through Canada on the North Shore. I have about 2 weeks to make this trip, so I expect I'll have time to do that screeching halt when we see something! I just marked Ashland, Washburn on my docket...sounds like a couple day stop to me!
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Post by fernwood on Apr 15, 2019 10:03:08 GMT -5
Head North of Bayfield. Travel on US 2 towards Superior. Several documented sights on that route.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Apr 15, 2019 18:59:39 GMT -5
And if you stay on 2 , a stop at Halversons Fishery in Cornicopia or the gas station in Port Wing you can grab some fantastic smoked salmon .
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Post by fernwood on Apr 16, 2019 8:15:55 GMT -5
Cornicopia has some good places for rocks. Port Wing? I would be careful there. Some beaches with rocks, but be careful what you take. Any of what is called Grandfather Stones, the local Tribe feels are Tribal relics. Do not want to be caught with any of those by a Tribal member. The salmon is amazing and will work great for your travels. I may be biased, but the waters of Lake Superior are much cleaner than Lake Michigan. I often has both fresh and smoked salmon and trout from both in the same year. The Superior ones were by far better. Some of these were caught by my Husband and I, so we knew where they came from. We had them smoked by trusted people. he differences between the two lakes were significant.
If you can get off the beaten path along US 2 West of Port Wing, the road gravel often contains some good things, including Lakers.
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Post by fernwood on Apr 16, 2019 8:33:20 GMT -5
You might want to take a detour for a day to Sturgeon Bay. There are many good places there to find rocks.
North Shore of Superior. Lots of great places there, not only for rocks, but for berries in the same place. The berries were a great food supplement. I did this loop in the 1990's. Lots of places to camp, or if not camping, some nice hotels to stay at that are reasonable priced. How far inland from the North Shore do you want to go? There are many rock shops along this route. At least there were when I was there. Many of the roadside "Thrift", "Craft" or "Antique" shops had many beautiful rocks. The thrift shops were the most reasonably priced for rocks at the time. Remember I had a conversation with the owner of one of the Antique shops. He said that an Antique rock was a lot more valuable than a recent one! In order for something to be considered an Antique, it must be at least 75 years old. Doubt there are any rocks that are less than 75 years old. Just showing others that you are knowledgeable, know what your are looking for, would greatly reduce the prices at these shops. I was able to help one shop owner ID some of his material. Well, a lot of material. He did not know what a Lake Superior Agate was! I was also able to help him grade some of his Amethyst jewelry and give ID's on other rocks there. This took a lot of time and my Husband and young daughter were not amused. I was rewarded . He gave us most of the items we wanted. Not only ricks, but some other items. When we got to the border and went through Custom's, we had a receipt that stated the value of the items we received were $0.00. We also had some Thunder Bay Amethyst mine items and clothing with receipts. I do not know if tariff's have changed since then, but something to check out.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Apr 16, 2019 20:56:17 GMT -5
Check out Lake Superior Magazine at lakesuperior.com , awesome magazine . One issue a year is a "best of" issue . Parks , sights , eating joints , etc. voted by the readers .
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blindbo
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2018
Posts: 18
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Post by blindbo on Apr 17, 2019 7:58:24 GMT -5
You folks are terrific! This info is worth far, far more than the membership fee!
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Post by fernwood on Apr 17, 2019 11:00:16 GMT -5
After you plan a route and check out some resources, please post any other questions you might have.
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