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

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 [...]

14 02, 2020

Winter: Things To Do on the North Shore
Winter: Things To Do on the North Shore

Winter: Things To Do on the North Shore

webservices2021-02-25T18:25:08+00:00Activities & Attractions|

Winter might seem like the ideal time to stay inside to read books and play board games. However, we know that there is much more to do during the day than sitting inside. We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 winter activities to do on the North Shore. How many of them have you tried? 1. Ski/ Snowboard: Rising more than 1000 feet about the coast of Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains are home to some of the most rugged terrain you can find in the Midwest. Perfectly located on the North Shore, these mountains let you enjoy a [...]

3 01, 2020

SS William A Irvin
SS William A Irvin

SS William A Irvin

Martha Finley2021-02-25T18:28:35+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth, History, Spooky Places on the North Shore|

The SS William A Irvin is a freighter that was named after William A Irving The Vice President of U.S. Steel. She was a flagship of the company fleet from her launch in the depths of the depression in 1938 until 1975 and then was a general workhorse of the fleet until her retirement in 1978. The SS William A. Irvin is a well-maintained example of a classic laker, and a prime example of a straight decker, as she has no self-unloading system. History She was launched 21 November 1937 at the yards of the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio. [...]

2 01, 2020

Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op
Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op

Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op

Martha Finley2021-09-06T14:29:49+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

More than 40 years ago, the Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op started on the front porch of a local artist in Grand Marais. The idea was to put donations into a coffee can and people could take the number of bulk coffee beans, grains, and other items for an amount they felt was fair. In 40 years, much has changed. Now located in downtown Grand Marais, the Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op is a bustling enterprise that's open seven days a week. It features an assortment of fresh, organic produce, meat, dairy products, grains, bulk products and homemade soups, salads, [...]

2 01, 2020

Root Beer Water
Root Beer Water

Root Beer Water

Martha Finley2025-04-16T16:35:56+00:00Activities & Attractions, Lutsen, Nature, Waterfalls|

Cascade Falls and Root Beer Water The beautiful stair-step waterfalls that cascade down the river are what give this park its name: Cascade River State Park. With a nice waterfall near the footbridge on Highway 61 and additional waterfalls two miles inland, the views make the hike very worthwhile. Whenever we talk about Cascade State Park, one question frequently comes up. Why does the water in the Cascade River look like root beer? If you have explored rivers and lakes along the North Shore, you’ve probably noticed that the water is often the color of root beer. Why? Most [...]

2 01, 2020

Lake Superior Trading Post
Lake Superior Trading Post

Lake Superior Trading Post

Martha Finley2021-09-07T15:20:07+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

No trip to the North Shore can be truly enjoyed without the right equipment. And in these parts, ‘equipment’ often means outdoor gear and clothing. And for many, stocking up on these accessories begins at the Lake Superior Trading Post. Featuring an assortment of high-quality clothing for all four seasons, outdoor gear, footwear, trail maps, and camping supplies, the Trading Post is a must-visit during your trip. For those less inclined to venture outdoors, there are sections for books, kitchenware, jewelry, Scandinavian gifts, and other home and personal accessories found in the Trading Post. The Trading Post is conveniently located [...]

2 01, 2020

Tom’s Logging Camp
Tom’s Logging Camp

Tom’s Logging Camp

Martha Finley2021-09-30T17:53:05+00:00Activities & Attractions, Local Businesses, Scenic Drive|

If you've visited the North Shore in the past, you've likely passed the large sign along Highway 61 on the expressway that reads "Tom's Logging Camp". Perhaps you're like me and you see the sign frequently and think "I should check that place out someday", but as you're heading up the shore to your destination the thought quickly leaves your mind. It did mine for many years. That is until I decided to finally swing into Tom's Logging Camp from the North Shore Scenic Drive on a sunny afternoon to see what the place is really about. Now, I am [...]

2 01, 2020

Sven & Ole’s Pizza
Sven & Ole’s Pizza

Sven & Ole’s Pizza

Martha Finley2021-02-25T18:50:33+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Tourists, locals, travelers, anglers, hikers, snowmobilers, skiers, cyclists and everyone else who’s ever had a reason to set foot in Grand Marais during the past 35-plus years can all agree on one thing: “Uffda… that Sven & Ole’s makes a good pizza.” Sven & Ole’s pizza parlor and restaurant is considered by many the heart and soul of the downtown casual dining scene in Grand Marais. The family-friendly atmosphere, delicious pizzas and authentic North Shore vibe are a magnetic draw for many who visit the area. Showcasing the quality of the eatery, locals are just as likely to be standing [...]