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

1 07, 2020

Biggest Blueberry Contest
Biggest Blueberry Contest

Biggest Blueberry Contest

Martha Finley2024-03-22T14:54:57+00:00Events & Holidays, Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

Each summer businesses up and down the Gunflint Trail get together to host the Biggest Blueberry Contest that runs from mid-July to mid-August during the peak of Blueberry Season on the North Shore. A Family-Friendly Contest Grab a bucket and take the whole family for a day trip up to the Gunflint Trail and find one of the area's many blueberry patches and see if you can win one of three cash prizes awarded for the person who brings the biggest blueberry into one of the weigh stations. There are only a few rules for the contest. The blueberry [...]

25 06, 2020

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

The North Shore Art Scene Blog

Martha Finley2021-09-30T18:49:31+00:00Activities & Attractions, Misc.|

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 refer [...]

1 06, 2020

Lutsen 99er
Lutsen 99er

Lutsen 99er

Martha Finley2025-05-22T14:48:13+00:00Events & Holidays, Lutsen|

Every year, on the last Saturday of June, Lutsen plays host to a series of mountain bike races that take riders through the vast wilderness of Northern Minnesota known as the Lutsen 99er Mountain Bike Races. The race takes bikers cutting through dirt, mud, and weeds, and maneuvering around rocks. They start with a 1,000-foot climb up the Caribou Trail and then part ways through a challenging course along miles of bike trails, snowmobile trails, Forest Service roads, and single track. Racers often find themselves high on bluffs with beautiful views of Lake Superior before them. For this reason, [...]

1 06, 2020

Grandma’s Marathon
Grandma’s Marathon

Grandma’s Marathon

Martha Finley2025-05-21T17:55:06+00:00Duluth, Events & Holidays, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

Grandma's Marathon is one of the largest events held annually on Lake Superior's North Shore. Held on the third Saturday of June, the race starts in the town of Two Harbors and leads racers along the Scenic Highway to Duluth. With the finish line located in Canal Park, the event brings thousands of visitors to the area each year. About the Marathon Grandma's Marathon welcomes an estimated 18,000 participants for its three-race weekend. The races include the 26.2-mile Grandma's Marathon from Two Harbors to Duluth’s Canal Park, the 13.1-mile Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon also on Saturday, and the 3.1-mile [...]

1 05, 2020

Organized Crime
Organized Crime

Organized Crime

Martha Finley2021-09-03T16:56:42+00:00History|

Organized Crime on the North Shore The North Shore of Lake Superior and areas up the Gunflint Trail served as a “secret hideaway” for many notorious Chicago-area gangsters of the 1920s and 30s. The area was also home to one of the most prolific bank robbers in US history. Being so far north, far away from major cities, and with Lake Superior in its backyard, the North Shore was the perfect place for making moonshine, running illegal liquor, and just a great place in general for someone to hide out, when needed. Al Capone and the Lutsen Resort Fish House [...]

31 03, 2020

Webcams: Your Connection to Nature
Webcams: Your Connection to Nature

Webcams: Your Connection to Nature

Jaye2021-02-25T18:22:15+00:00Animals|

These days, there are more webcams than ever before. These webcams are here to help closen your connection to nature from right at home. Discovering NatureCams Many years ago, I was going to college in New York City and my dad called me because he’d discovered a webcam outside of a camera shop in Times Square. He wanted me to go there, and let him know when, so he could see me waving on the webcam. I tracked down 42nd Street Photo and waved at my dad back in Minnesota. This was the first time I heard of webcams and [...]

24 03, 2020

Enjoy the Great Outdoors While At Home
Enjoy the Great Outdoors While At Home

Enjoy the Great Outdoors While At Home

Jaye2021-09-07T15:36:07+00:00News & Updates|

Social distancing and entire countries under "shelter in place" orders have resulted in many being stuck inside or with limited areas to move around. Ironically, I started this post a few months ago as a "things to do on a rainy day" post meant for springtime visits to the North Shore. With a bit of tweaking, I'm hoping it will help you pass the time and find little ways to enjoy nature and getting out as much as you can until we're all able to travel and get out as usual. So here are six ways to enjoy [...]

4 03, 2020

Bear Rescue
Bear Rescue

Bear Rescue

webservices2022-09-14T19:37:27+00:00Animals, Lutsen|

Bears Rescued at Cascade Vacation Rentals The text came in at 7:31 AM. “I just went to the dumpster and both bars were on it and when I opened it the bear was sitting in the dumpster!! Wonder how that is even possible with it being barred shut?!? I ran off with my trash but didn’t put the bars back on or look to see if the bear jumped out.” Bara, a Cascade Vacation Rentals housekeeper, got quite the shock when going to dispose of her garbage in the CVR campus dumpster early Wednesday morning. By 9 am the [...]

4 03, 2020

LutZen Reflections
LutZen Reflections

LutZen Reflections

webservices2021-09-30T21:05:23+00:00Local Businesses, Lutsen|

About LutZen Reflections Feeling stressed out? Sore? Needing to be pampered and soothed on your next North Shore Vacation? LutZen Reflections Massage Studio is a full-service spa that aims to do just that! With a full array of services offered from the area’s top massage therapists, you are sure to walk out with your cares melted away. LutZen’s Grand Marais spa is located right on the shore of Lake Superior in picturesque downtown Grand Marais. Get a LutZen Signature Massage or Zen Sweetheart Couple’s Massage while the waves of Lake Superior lap against the shoreline just feet away. Their Lutsen location [...]

3 03, 2020

Lake Superior Pancake Ice
Lake Superior Pancake Ice

Lake Superior Pancake Ice

Martha Finley2022-12-29T17:20:40+00:00Nature|

Would you like some syrup with your Lake Superior Pancake Ice? Unlike regular pancakes made with flour and buttermilk, pancake ice is formed when surface slush thickens and swirls caused by a current or light wind, a process known as rafting. The circular pads of ice form anywhere from 1-10 feet in diameter, and up to 4 inches thick. That's a big pancake. A signature feature of Lake Superior's pancake ice is its raised edges on the perimeter which is caused by continued crashes into one another from the waves. Recipe for Lake Suprior Pancake Ice The process begins [...]