Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes of North America. The lake is shared by the Canadian province of Ontario to the north, the US states of Minnesota to the west, and Wisconsin and Michigan to the south. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and third largest freshwater lake by volume. Source
About 190 miles north of Minneapolis, MN, between Duluth and Grand Marais, you'll find the Encampment Forest. 2,000 wooded acres along Lake Superior owned by the residents of the Encampment Forest Association (EFA). The Encampment takes it name from the nearby Encampment River and Island.
Established in 1921, the EFA was founded by 25 prominent Minnesota businessman; doctors, lawyers, bankers filled out the founder's roster. Many members' private cabins were built between 1924-1926 with construction and remodeling continuing over the years. Today there are 40 owner/member cabins with many of them having been handed down from generation to generation.
Since it was private land throughout the peak of logging in the 1890's, the EFA makes up part of the remaining 1 percent of Minnesota's pine forest. The area surrounding the river contains white pine trees over two hundred years old and an abundance of cedar trees.
Tom and I had the opportunity to unplug, literally, as there is no wi-fi or cell signal in the EFA, and spend two days in the Encampment Forest with our friends who are member/owners. We spent hours outside taking in all of God's beautiful glory. From the vastness of Lake Superior to walking miles and miles along the wooded trails and hiking within arms reach of an amazing waterfall.
Lake Superior & Encampment Island (in distance)
Excited to head off and explore the woods.
We hiked for about two hours to get to this lookout point.
The halfway point of our hike.
One of the many trails in the EFA.
The sun shining between the trees on the water was magical.
Long day on the trails followed by a glass of wine.
Cheers!
When it got too chilly outside we took the sunset in from the inside.
And warmed up by the fire.
Stayed up way past our bedtime playing Sequence. Boys against girls.
