Cascade Vacation Rentals Blog | A Guide to all things North Shore

15 09, 2020

Northern Lights
Northern Lights

Northern Lights

Martha Finley2020-09-15T15:21:40+00:00Activities & Attractions, Nature|

One of the Earth’s natural wonders, the Northern Lights, cast radiant, multi-colored lights over the northern landscape. They most commonly appear between 60-75 degrees longitude, making the North Shore a hot spot for seeing a display. What causes the Northern Lights? Also known as Aurora Borealis (meaning “dawn of the north”) the Northern Lights are created by solar winds interacting with the earth's magnetosphere. The magnetosphere is the sphere that gives earth its magnetic field and protects us from space. The magnetosphere ensures that these winds are drawn to the poles, where particles rain in the upper atmosphere, causing this phenomenon. Typically the lights are [...]

3 09, 2020

Black Bear
Black Bear

Black Bear

Martha Finley2020-09-03T20:33:46+00:00Animals|

The black bear is the only species of bear found in Minnesota. Generally, you will find them in heavily forested areas. Black bears are 5-7 feet in length and can weigh anywhere from 150-500 pounds. They follow their noses and use their mental maps of the landscape to locate food sources. Because of this, black bears can travel a fair distance each day along a similar route looking for food. Black bears usually try to avoid people, but sometimes come in conflict with humans when they eat crops, destroy apiaries, or break into garbage cans and birdfeeders. Along the North [...]

31 08, 2020

River Otter
River Otter

River Otter

Martha Finley2020-09-22T15:35:11+00:00Animals|

The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. Otters are playful, often wrestling or spending hours sliding down muddy or snow-packed stream banks. They also play by nudging sticks across the water, and dropping pebbles to the bottom and retrieving them. North American river otters can remain underwater for nearly 4 minutes, swim at speeds approaching 7 mph, dive to depths nearing 20 yards, and travel up to [...]

21 08, 2020

Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Jaye2020-08-23T20:16:55+00:00Activities & Attractions|

One fun activity that has become more popular in recent years, especially on the North Shore, is Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). With this activity, you stand up on a surfboard-like board and paddle yourself around, like you would in a canoe. It's a great solo activity as well as a fun one for a group of friends or a family. It's a lower impact sport that can be done by many skill levels. You can rent a SUP from various places along the North Shore, and even sign up for a guided SUP tour! This is also an activity where [...]

4 08, 2020

Highway 61 Detour Bi-Passes Grand Marais
Highway 61 Detour Bi-Passes Grand Marais

Highway 61 Detour Bi-Passes Grand Marais

Jaye2020-08-31T18:31:58+00:00News & Updates|

Starting on Monday, August 3, travelers to the North Shore found themselves on a new Highway 61 detour starting just outside of Cascade River State Park. This detour leads drivers along County Road 7, inland from Lake Superior, until County Road 7 meets back up with Highway 61 on the other side of Grand Marias. Unfortunately, this detour creates a bi-pass around the city of Grand Marais, including our amazing downtown businesses. You can see the plan on the MDOT Project Website. But, worry not! While the Highway 61 detour diverts traffic away from the downtown area, access to downtown [...]

15 07, 2020

Minnesota Enacts Face Covering Mandate
Minnesota Enacts Face Covering Mandate

Minnesota Enacts Face Covering Mandate

Martha Finley2020-08-20T20:29:18+00:00COVID-19, News & Updates|

On Wednesday, July 22 Governor Tim Walz announced a state-wide mask mandate that took effect on Saturday, July 25. Here we will address when and where you will need to wear a mask per the state mandate and how that pertains to your trip to the North Shore. Below is a summary of how this mandate may affect your trip to the North Shore. It is not all-inclusive of the mandate, which you can read here. If driving from another state that doesn't have a mask mandate, be aware that once your cross in Minnesota you will need to [...]

3 07, 2020

A Different Kind of Fourth of July
A Different Kind of Fourth of July

A Different Kind of Fourth of July

Jaye2020-08-20T20:28:51+00:00COVID-19, News & Updates|

Fourth of July Weekend has arrived! Of course, the Fourth of July in 2020 is going to be a bit different than Fourth of Julys past. Of course, we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and the North Shore, especially Cook County, is continue strong efforts to keep COVID-19 at bay. With only one confirmed case, the area has not experienced the influx of cases, and would like to keep it that way. It can get hard to maintain social distancing amongst crowd of visitors in popular areas, so here are a few tips and tricks we [...]

3 07, 2020

Best Ways to Preserve Nature While Hiking
Best Ways to Preserve Nature While Hiking

Best Ways to Preserve Nature While Hiking

Jaye2020-09-01T14:49:20+00:00Nature|

Hiking is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Regular hiking gives you a full body workout that will help lower stress, lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, and help manage the symptoms of depression. Studies show that spending time in fresh air surrounded by healthy green plants, grasses, and trees is good for your mental health as well as your physical health. However, there are more than 40 million taking advantage of those health benefits each year and that puts a big strain on the natural world. Do these four things to protect the natural [...]

25 06, 2020

The North Shore Art Scene Blog
The North Shore Art Scene Blog

The North Shore Art Scene Blog

Jaye2020-08-20T20:29:53+00:00News & Updates|

I got asked a question the other day that resulted in quite the "ah-ha!" moment for me. Someone asked me "Where do you find all of this great info that you share in your newsletter?" The person asking it was just wondering what other resources they could use to help plan their trip. I usually refer people to Visit Cook County, Boreal Community Media, and WTIP Community Radio for resources that list upcoming events and news from around the area. But there's another resource that, for some reason, I haven't really mentioned before. Even though it's a resource I [...]

18 06, 2020

Big Changes Coming to Grand Marais
Big Changes Coming to Grand Marais

Big Changes Coming to Grand Marais

Jaye2020-09-02T20:33:33+00:00COVID-19, News & Updates|

There are big changes coming to Grand Marais! Minnesota is now on Phase 3 of re-opening, which means indoor dining can resume if restaurants choose to, at a limited capacity. Bluewater Cafe, Gunflint Tavern, My Sister's Place, Voyageur Brewing, and others in the county are slowly opening indoor dining options. Outdoor dining options are also available at several restaurants. Speaking of dining- two new restaurants have recently opened in Grand Marais! Dockside is under new ownership and has been renamed The Fisherman's Daughter. It celebrated its opening day Wednesday, June 17. Order at the window of the Dockside building and [...]