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A foggy morning along the North Shore in Minnesota

1/8/2013

18 Comments

 
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     A gloomy fog had ascended from the north as I drove from the south, along highway 61. The morning started as a clear, beautiful October day in Duluth, with the passing of seasons visible upon every tree. The night was chilly and the day was tolerable, but “there’s certainly nothing else like Fall in Minnesota,” I found myself believing.
     I had been living in Saint Paul, three hours south of here, and I had to leave. I needed to escape the monotony. I’m not one for staying put in places for too long and I had overstayed my welcome. Freedom along the open road is a thing that is often overlooked by many disconcerted hearts. Driving toward no particular destination and only your thoughts to keep you company is relaxing to the tempestuous and seemingly engulfing swirl of everyday life.

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     Glancing at the clock above my car radio, I realized that time was passing at an alarming rate. An hour had elapsed, although I felt that I had been on the road no more than ten minutes tops. I shook my head and wiped the last of the sleep out of my eyes. While blurry eyed, I started to look to my right where the rocky and wavy coast of the great Lake Superior began to show itself. The fog was thicker here, more than before, but something in the distance caught my eye and I found myself slowing down. High above the cliffs I made out a tall, lit building protruding powerfully from the mass of low-hanging cloud.
     I’ve long recognized the state of Minnesota by their adopted symbol of a lighthouse perched atop a mighty cliff of crumbling stone. And today, along my drive, I discovered that this wondrous historic sight was real. Following the road signs, I weaved down the path toward the lighthouse. It was no longer visible, due to the jagged and skinny limbed trees joining the fog to create an opaque ceiling above me. I passed by the rangers station and another road that was labeled as “permit only” by its entrance. I parked in the lot nearest the doorway and I nearly skipped with excitement, as I’ve never visited a lighthouse before.
     I eagerly pranced to the front desk which was conveniently placed in between the door and the gift shop. I told them my name and what I do, and I collected a media pass and was shown around by the curator. She’s quite nice and extremely personable, I thought. We talked for about ten minutes until the tour guide was ready to begin. My guide was a tiny young lady with fiery red and bushy hair. She had a nervous stammer about her; I attributed it to her being new at guiding tours. All in all, she did a fine job, walking us to the old hoist and around the keeper’s house, where she then stopped to cut us loose at the steps leading up to the lighthouse.
     The Split Rock Lighthouse was less momentous than it had looked from afar; it was simple inside, nothing but the winding steps up to the intriguing glass eye. My tour group mates and I were to cover our eyes when the light would wind to face toward us. Along with my ticket to peruse the grounds, the curator gave me a day pass to the permit-restricted campgrounds that I passed on my way in from the highway. I rejoined my car, pulling out of the lot and then I took a left down the permit-only driveway.

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     The restricted path wound downward near the coast, where I stopped and parked at the Trail Center. A few cars were visible underneath the light fog that was beginning to touch the ground. I walked into the parted trees, along a dirt path, where I could hear the roar of a campfire and the sound of children playing and laughing. I walked through numerous and empty campsites, complete with picnic tables and metal rings for campfires. I could smell the water from the subtle lake breeze. I recognized the sound of soft lapping waves. The road seemed to end at a an outcrop of young forest, but then I noticed an adjacent makeshift path to my right, which required one to jump over a fallen tree.
     About twenty feet after the fallen log, I came to a small drop-off that I hopped and landed on a black beach. The beach was covered in pint and half pint size smooth black stones. The stones were perfectly smooth and flat and perfect for skipping along the light-tempered water of the lake. I found myself in a cove; the lighthouse wasn’t visible, because the tree line of the forest was too high from where I stood. Directly across from me I could make out a small island that was attached to the far length of the cove simply by a few stepping-stones of land. I walked to the edge of the lake, where I skipped a few stones, then I felt the crisp cool touch of the water on my fingertips.
     Walking along the beach showed to be a difficult task - the stones behaved like a slippery mess. After several minutes, I made my way to a small cliff that blocked the beach. I decided to climb its rocky face, which was easier than I had originally imagined. I breathed in and felt the cold air deep within my lungs, and a feeling of being in the ‘right place at the right time’ came over me. I walked around the roof of the cliff, bypassing a few whimsically grown trees and I saw it. I’m not sure if the cloud of fog parted just for me or if I wasn’t paying attention before, but the sight was magical and powerful, and personal. It stood tall and strong, along the cliffs, above the crashing waves. It was grim and gloomy from the foggy mess, yet stout and absolute, a rock of stability to comfort and govern all.
(Photos by © Brandon Elijah Scott/Eye & Pen)

18 Comments
Emily Ness link
1/8/2013 11:03:50 am

Love northern Minnesota! This makes me miss my home state. Nice article.

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Vanessa link
12/16/2013 11:08:13 pm

I couldn't agree more...

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:18:34 am

Thank you! Minnesota is an amazing state! There are so many opportunities for photos!

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catherin b
1/8/2013 04:19:54 pm

Brandon, your photos are intriguing-- more, more!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:20:24 am

Thank you! I hope that you stop back by and see the new content that is posted up. There are some great pictures. :)

Reply
Jack Kinross link
1/8/2013 05:09:09 pm

Wonderful blog backed up by great images, looking forward to more :)

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:23:08 am

Thank you! The pictures turned out great! Believe it or not, they turned out better than I expected. Haha

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Diario
1/8/2013 06:48:00 pm

I like so much you blog! But I belive that you need Spanish photos!! hahaha.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:34:04 am

I agree! I definitely need to take some photos of the most beautiful Spanish places. When I do, I want you to let me know what you think. :)

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Akhil Kalsh link
1/8/2013 07:21:18 pm

The photographs are amazing, so are the words! Great read.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:35:12 am

Thank you! I am very happy with how the pictures turned out.

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Leeza Frantz
1/15/2013 03:11:08 am

Stunning photograph! Not sure what it is about lighthouses that makes their images so magnetic.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:38:55 am

Thank you! It may be that lighthouses look as if there is so much history within them. :)

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Lauren Zima link
1/16/2013 05:11:23 am

Brandon, Love your photos and blogs. I especially like this one about Minnesota since this is reside! It can be gloomy but the people are one of a kind!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:42:17 am

Thank you. The people are very kind. I can't wait to go for another visit!

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buy soundcloud play link
8/5/2013 12:11:13 am

Stunning photos. This area is really a foggy one but after it clear out the fogs you can see the beautiful and lovely place. Great to read your experience in this place. Thank you for sharing.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/23/2014 12:43:35 am

Thank you! You are most welcome. I love sharing my favorite pictures and experiences. :)

Reply
Lauren link
5/7/2016 05:34:45 am

Same here, I'd like to have a sweet foggy morning along. You have excellent skill in photography. Keep it up.

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