Hoodoo Point Campground, Minnesota, United Statesaugust 23 Hoodoo Point Campground outside Tower, Minnesota
So last night after I got settled and had my dinner, there wasn't much to do.
I got in the tent with my Waugh in Abyssinia book. but I forgot my reading glasses and was too lazy to go out to get them so shortly after 7 pm, I went to sleep. My cell phone rang and it was Candae but she apologized for waking me up and rang off so I went back to sleep. It is probably just as well because it would have been difficult to get to sleep after a long chat. I think I hear car doors next to me - which means I will have neighbors to the right of me. I am in an open area with another picnic table to my left so that neighbor if they come will be more visible to me (and I, to them). Yes, I hear car doors slamming and things clinking next door. Is it just the pandemic that makes me so people-shy and paranoid? I think I enjoy more private living spaces in general, but none of these people were really any problem at all.
I woke up around 5ish and then went back to sleep until shortly before 7 am when I got up. Hmm, a pretty good 12-hour sleep. I made myself a super muesli breakfast with my new blueberries and yogurt.
I waited to get coffee until I had reorganized the car. I told the campground manager that I would stay another day, and, since there were lakeside vacancies, I would take one. I checked them out and took #39. It was a difficult choice partly because this one has a better lake view, but is potentially less private, and I lose electricity. So before moving, I made sure I charged my phone and used the water from the faucet in the next door campsite with the porta-potties. I washed some clothes and dishes and then I hung up the clothes. I started reading some Waugh and then switched to Louise Penny. Around 11:30 am, I bungee-corded the tent to the car roof, threw all the rest of the stuff inside, and made my way to my new campsite. I put up the tent and put in the mats. That was about all. So I now have a non-windy lake view from the tent - not so much the picnic table.
I then read a few chapters of Louise Penny while I snacked on cheese and crackers. I should have taken out some of the olives too.
Oh, well.
Around noon, I drove over to Ely - the gateway to the Boundary Lakes - to check it out. I parked on the main street toward the top of a hill and then walked a few blocks further, crossed the treet, saw a weird old building (formerly the Tanners Hospital), took a few photos and walked down that street. I turned and found an recreational outfitters on that block. There are quite a few in town, but I ended up going in one and it seemed a little high end but I found a little stove with 2 fuel canisters so I could try to make my espresso one of these days....when coffee isn't readily available. I got some maps of some of the various bike trails that I have seen along the road. Thrilled of course - thinking I might walk a few miles on one. I asked the clerk where I could get some beer or wine and she told me that Mike's Liquor (which I had passed) was open until 4 on Sundays. I walked a few more blocks, didn't go into any more stores, might have tried a cafe if any had tables outside but didn't really find anything.
I stopped at Mike's and started looking for some local beer. A man stocking asked if I needed help, then showed me one door with shelves of some loose cans. He asked if I had glasses and said there were some weird beers in there. I found some interesting things,, including an IPA, and bought 3 cans. The woman at the register did not seem all that friendly when I said the lake view would be better now. I know, it was a stupid thing to say.
Since it was still early - before 2 pm - I decided to try the heritage center connected to the Pioneer Mine. It was just outside of town - or rather, the town grew up around and on top of parts of the old mine. An older man who volunteered to staff the center and worked to build it up and get it funded gave me and 3 other ladies a tour. He was wonderful but at times I had trouble following what he was telling us. He was quite passionate about saving the buildings and this record of history - which was his history because he started working in the mine when he was 16, following his Italian and Yugoslav grandfathers and his father and uncluds and cousins, etc. He said that the town and the people of Ely (who are not from Ely but California and elsewhere)) want to forget and to get rid of the mine and the center and it is only he and another old man (85 years old I think) who are keeping things alive. He showed us some pictures of an uncle and a brother - maybe. I then took a short walk to see the other building, the lake - Miner's Lake - and the bicycle trail that ran along the back of the center.
I drove back to the campground and tried to arrange things ready for the night time. I wanted to get the blogging done while my recollections were fresh. I might send a few photos on to family and then start on my beer while I prepare tomato-mozzarella - pesto sandwich #2. I may stay up later today because I made sure to take out my reading glasses. I will have to go back to the campground office bathrooms tonight before bed.
I think I covered it all. Oh yes, the museum man said there was a mine that we could visit and actually go down - it is pretty close to this town - Tower - so I may go tomorrow morning after I leave here. I have until 1 pm, so maybe I can go before I leave here and head North again.
2025-05-23