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

12 07, 2023

Cathy’s Cove Peregrine Falcons
Cathy’s Cove Peregrine Falcons

Cathy’s Cove Peregrine Falcons

Jaye2023-07-25T14:51:02+00:00Animals|

In early June, two guests walked into the Cascade Vacation Rentals' office with an interesting story. The guests were staying at Cathy's Cove, a small cabin on Lake Superior near Tofte, Minnesota. The cabin has a small cove beach area that is a favorite amongst past guests at Cathy's Cove. Only, these guests were not able to get down to enjoy the cove area. This was due to a falcon suddenly appearing and dive-bombing the guests as they approached the bottom of the staircase leading to the cove. This was unusual. We had not heard about a falcon dive-bombing [...]

28 06, 2023

Fire at Papa Charlie’s
Fire at Papa Charlie’s

Fire at Papa Charlie’s

Jaye2025-08-06T20:28:20+00:00History, Local Businesses, Lutsen, News & Updates|

While many were enjoying and celebrating a local man's victory at the Lutsen 99er, just a mile away another scene was playing out. Up on the hill at Lutsen Mountains, a fire had started at the beloved Papa Charlie's restaurant and events center. The fire started sometime before 6 am. While crowds were gathering at the nearby golf course for the bike race, fire crews from six area fire departments were rushing towards Lutsen for to try to battle the fire. Many of those called had also volunteered to help at Lutsen 99er Aid Station. Instead, they were battling [...]

27 06, 2023

Local Man Wins the 2023 Lutsen 99er
Local Man Wins the 2023 Lutsen 99er

Local Man Wins the 2023 Lutsen 99er

Jaye2023-07-06T17:41:30+00:00Events & Holidays, Lutsen|

A thrilling photo finish brought a victory back to the North Shore in the 2023 Lutsen 99er Gravel Bike Race. A local man wins the 2023 Lutsen 99er. On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at around 7:30 AM, nearly 2,000 racers competed in a series of races known as the Lutsen 99er. The 2023 Lutsen 99er featured four challenging courses: the 99er, the 69er, the 49er, and the 25er. Within those races, 589 racers took on the challenging 99er. A local man, Will Surbaugh, son of Cascade Vacation Rentals' owner Steve Surbaugh, took home the 99er victory in a dramatic [...]

26 04, 2023

North Shore Brewery Guide Part 3 | Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor Brewing, Warrior Brewing Company, and More!
North Shore Brewery Guide Part 3 | Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor Brewing, Warrior Brewing Company, and More!

North Shore Brewery Guide Part 3 | Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor Brewing, Warrior Brewing Company, and More!

Jaye2023-05-09T20:03:11+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth|

Duluth, Minnesota is home to many amazing breweries, each offering a different experience. The wide variety is sure to please even the pickiest microbrew enthusiast. North Shore Brewery Guide Part 3 features several more breweries and a different way to experience local breweries: Tap Houses! The North Shore Brewery Part 3 features Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor Brewing, Warrior Brewing, and two local Tap Houses. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly experience in the Lincoln Park Craft District, or want to support some amazing local non-profits while enjoying a night out, these breweries are for you! Don’t want to wait [...]

19 04, 2023

North Shore Brewery Guide Part 2 | Bent Paddle Brewing and Lake Superior Brewing
North Shore Brewery Guide Part 2 | Bent Paddle Brewing and Lake Superior Brewing

North Shore Brewery Guide Part 2 | Bent Paddle Brewing and Lake Superior Brewing

Jaye2023-04-21T16:09:22+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth|

Duluth, Minnesota is home to many amazing breweries, each offering a different experience. The wide variety is sure to please even the pickiest microbrew enthusiast. Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring breweries located in Duluth as part of our North Shore Brewery Guide. In this second part of the series we will feature two more unique breweries in the Duluth area: Bent Paddle Brewing and Lake Superior Brewing. From a family-friendly space in Lincoln Park to a higher-end dining experience in Duluth's Eastside neighborhood, these two breweries offer unique experiences. Don’t want to wait to learn [...]

12 04, 2023

Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza
Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza

Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza

Jaye2024-07-09T19:09:26+00:00Grand Marais, History, Local Businesses, News & Updates|

Around 11:30 AM on April 10, 2023, a fire broke out at Sydney's Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza. On what was otherwise a beautiful spring day in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Responding fire departments fought the fire for over two hours, extinguishing it around 1:30 PM. Unfortunately, the intense fire destroyed the interior of this beloved downtown eatery. Luckily, through quick thinking and a little ingenuity, Sydney's reopen a short time later in a temporary location, not missing a season. Then, less than a year and a half after the fire, Sydney's Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza reopened at the [...]

4 04, 2023

North Shore Brewery Guide Part 1 | Canal Park Brewing and Blacklist Brewing
North Shore Brewery Guide Part 1 | Canal Park Brewing and Blacklist Brewing

North Shore Brewery Guide Part 1 | Canal Park Brewing and Blacklist Brewing

Jaye2023-04-18T13:38:59+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth|

Duluth, Minnesota is home to many amazing breweries, each offering a different experience. The wide variety is sure to please even the pickiest microbrew enthusiast. Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring breweries located in Duluth as part of our North Shore Brewery Guide. To kick off the North Shore Brewery Guide, we bring you two popular breweries located in the Canal Park and downtown Duluth areas: Canal Park Brewing Company and Blacklist Brewing. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly restaurant feel or a fun time throwing axes with your friends, these two breweries are for you! [...]

1 03, 2023

Cascade Beach Road
Cascade Beach Road

Cascade Beach Road

Jaye2023-03-02T16:05:09+00:00Lutsen|

Cascade Beach Road is a five-mile road just outside Lutsen, Minnesota that runs along the Lake Superior shoreline. This picturesque area is home to many vacation rentals. It serves as the ideal vacation destination on the North Shore thanks to its central location and unique beaches. Also, homes along the road are privately owned, making this a wonderful destination for those looking for a peaceful, private getaway. A Brief History of Cascade Beach Road Cobblestone shoreline on the eastern end of Cascade Beach Road- Namaste Main/Namaste Guest House beach. Just a few miles outside of Lutsen lies an [...]

6 02, 2023

Hygge Festival
Hygge Festival

Hygge Festival

Jaye2026-01-28T16:32:30+00:00Events & Holidays|

The winter season on the North Shore brings lots of cold nights and the desire to be warm and cozy. This is the idea behind the idea of Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah"). Hygge means "invoking or fostering a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being". It is these ideals that we embrace during the Hygge Festival, held each February. Hosted by Visit Cook County, the festival based on the Danish concept encourages you to embrace life's simple pleasures and feel cozy and relaxed with ten days of events and activities throughout Cook County. About the Hygge Festival Visit Cook County's Hygge [...]

2 02, 2023

2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Jaye2023-04-21T16:11:07+00:00Activities & Attractions, Events & Holidays|

Celebrating its 39th year of racing along the North Shore, the 2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon was as exciting as ever. Perfect weather conditions combined with excellent trail conditions lead to perfect race conditions. And, a few thrilling scenes at the finish line added to the excitement of the race. Here are the results of the 2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, along with our recap of the finish line. Perfect Racing Conditions Lead to Fast Finishing Times What may seem like frigid, cold temps to a person is experienced very differently from the perspective of a sled [...]