∞

The autumn wave of the coronavirus has reached a dangerous new stage. The number of new daily cases has risen almost 50 percent in the U.S. over the past month. The situation is even worse in Europe.

For the first time since late March, the per capita number of new cases in Europe exceeds the number in the U.S.

Line chart showing daily COVID-19 cases per million from March to October 2020 with Europe surging past the U.S. in mid-October.

The New York Times, Morning Brief, October 15, 2020.

∞

There is an official station to take a selfie with Split Rock Lighthouse, so we had to stop and take one! Look close on right side of photo for lighthouse. #MNStateParkLife

Family of four smiling at a scenic overlook with Split Rock Lighthouse visible on a cliff above Lake Superior in the backgroundSelfie Station sign with hashtag MNStateParkLife on a stone overlook, evergreen trees, and Split Rock Lighthouse visible in the distance.

∞

Gooseberry Falls was great today. Great sights. Lots of fun hopping around rocks. Even with cold weather still a lot of fun.

Gooseberry Falls cascading in wide tiers over dark basalt ledges into a rocky pool, with pine trees and red cliffs under a blue sky Gooseberry Falls cascading in wide tiers over dark basalt rock ledges, framed by pine trees and red cliffs under a blue sky Couple in winter hats taking a selfie at Gooseberry Falls with cascading waterfalls and rocky cliffs behind them Birch trees frame a winding river estuary opening into Lake Superior under a blue sky in late autumn
∞

Mandatory stop at Betty’s Pies outside of Two Harbors. We got Blueberry, Strawberry Rhubarb, Toffee, and Butterfinger slices to have after dinner. Good pie, but they are struggling with their process. Took over 30 mins to get our order.

Two kids wearing face masks pose outside Bettys Pies restaurant in Two Harbors Minnesota on a sunny fall dayWinnebago Sprinter RV parked outside Betty's Pies World Famous restaurant in Two Harbors Minnesota on a sunny fall day

∞

Always stop at Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen on the North Shore. Business still thriving and adapted to pandemic. Delicious chocolate. Yum.

Great Lakes Candy Kitchen storefront with red and white trim, Open sign, handmade chocolates and candies, parking signs, fall foliageDirectional sign post outside Great Lakes Candy Kitchen in Knife River MN showing distances to towns along the North Shore

∞

Lunch at New Scenic Cafe is a must do for us when we visit the North Shore. They have an outside operation during the pandemic and many spots with fires going to keep you warm.

Shiny Airstream trailer converted into an outdoor food stand with a blue striped awning, a menu board, and a person ordering at the counter.
∞

Dinner in Grand Marais at Voyageur Brewing Company. Drinking limited release Devil’s Kettle Dry Hopped with Galaxy Hops, in the room it was brewed. 🍺

Hazy golden IPA in a pint glass on a wood table inside a brewery with large stainless steel fermentation tanks behind it.
∞

We went to Ursa Minor Brewing to get pizza and a drink. I had the delicious Blackberry Shenanigans sour. The pizza was very good too! Happy to have fires to keep warm while we waited outside. 🍕🍻🍬

Ursa Minor Brewing metal sign with cut-out bear logo glowing orange from a fire burning inside a fire pit below Ursa Minor Brewing outdoor patio at dusk with string lights, raised garden planters, a parked bicycle, and patrons in rain gear on wet pavement. Stainless steel brewing tanks lined up in the production floor of Ursa Minor Brewing, with pipes and hoses connecting the equipment. Hand holding a clear plastic cup of deep red sour beer with a tree silhouette logo, at an outdoor evening gathering with string lights
∞

Rain made our stop at Jay Cooke State Park’s Swinging Bridge far too short. The light was really cool, and the scenery was awesome. We are going to come back tomorrow!

Rocky St. Louis River rapids splitting around a dark stone island at Jay Cooke State Park, framed by pine trees under a cloudy autumn skyRocky St. Louis River flowing through a narrow gorge flanked by autumn trees and boulders under a cloudy sky at Jay Cooke State ParkFamily of four smiling for a selfie among autumn trees on a cloudy day at Jay Cooke State ParkSwinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park, wet wooden planks flanked by green railings and stone towers, person in red jacket walking across

∞

Rainy drive from Cross Lake to Duluth. 🌧

Wet windshield view from inside a vehicle driving a two-lane rural highway lined with dry autumn grass and bare trees under a gray rainy sky.