I grew up in Minnesota . . . the land of 10,000 lakes (although there are probably a lot more than that). And it was in the town of Grand Marais on the shores of the largest lake bordering Minnesota – Lake Superior – that I spent my early years. It was a great place to grow up in the 50’s and 60’s.
I have always been drawn to water and I think it was largely due to living so close to Lake Superior. By surface area, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. It is about 350 miles long and 160 miles wide, so it almost looks like an ocean. In fact, Lake Superior is longer than the circumference of the island of Oahu (120 miles) or the island of the largest island of the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii (266 miles). So if you’re driving along Lake Superior, it will seem like you’re driving along an ocean. More facts on Lake Superior can be found here.
But I digress. My hometown of Grand Marais is near the “tip of the arrowhead” of Lake Superior, about 40 miles from the Canadian border. While the population of Grand Marais is small (about 1,350), it is a travel destination for hikers, campers and artists. It is one of the entry points for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and near the Superior Hiking Trail.
While I haven’t lived there in over 40 years, it is still a very special place and I will always call it home.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
These photographs are just stunning, Marlee. Not just the scenery, but the composition and color! Beautiful!
It is a very beautiful area, and your excellent photos have captured that very well!
Beautiful photos of our beautiful home town, which is sunny and about 6 degrees above zero F right now. And don’t forget the skiing and other winter sports that attract the tourists.
These are just very special photos.. the reflections colours composition, everything… I just love them… brilliant… Maralee, absolutely brilliant…
I lived around the Great Lakes from when I moved to the US from Italy, until 2005, when I moved to Colorado. I have many good memories of them. Thanks for adding to them.
Maralee …. what a gallery. Stunningly beautiful. What a place … Like your new signature too – very nice and classy. Have to pick two here – the last one, because I love lighthouses. And the photo with the small painted details, old door or window .. what a gallery.
Amazing!!!! I grew up going to Grand Marais every fall to see the changing colors and to hike eagle mountain. It truly is a special place. Your photos capture it’s pure beauty fantastically.
Fantastic images Maralee. I love the high contrast in these photos and I also love your new watermark..:-)
so beautiful and artistic… Thank you dear Maralee, love, nia