Hello!  This is Pam once again…It’s so good to be back.

The last couple of years, I have missed blogging on Contagious Joy and sharing words, photos, and my travels with you!

So, come along as I share some news and fun journeys, especially of the North Shore near Duluth, MN.

You’ll get to see Charlie again, get caught up, and peruse the stunning adventure photos.  ♥

I hope I captivate you!

P.S. Click on the first picture in each section to scroll through all of them.  😉

My previous post was of Christmas 2021, so here are some highlights of 2022.

• Harper, our niece, got married at Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines, IA
• Traveled to the captivating North Shore near Duluth, MN, for the first (and hopefully not the last) time
• Another fabulous Colorado trip with some first-time sights
• A jolly Christmas full of anticipation

Three weeks after the wedding, we journeyed to Duluth, MN, to explore the North Shore of Lake Superior.

The shimmering lake, waterfalls, and vibrant colors were abundant, as was the peace and quiet.

We walked through a freighter, the William A. Irvin; watched the Canal Park lift-bridge rise; and visited the Split Rock Lighthouse Museum and grounds.

Murders, a moose, and a star

Additionally, ate lunch at the Angry Trout on the lake, visited 6 of the 8 state parks in the area, took a thrilling catamaran cruise* near Bayfield, Wisconsin,

walked the breathtaking breakwater in Grand Marais harbor, as well as in Two Harbors.

Furthermore, traversed (and learned SO much about) the super interesting Grand Portage National Park near the Canadian border,

drove dirt-backroads, saw a moose,

spied a falling star.

Exploring the exquisite Glensheen Mansion was one of my favorite things we did.

Party on the roof

This gorgeous house and grounds certainly caught my fancy. There’s so much intrigue/romance surrounding it.

We walked beside the boathouse along the cement pier out to the water, just imaging how it used to be.  Apparently, they used to have parties on the roof of the boathouse with lights and a band. How exhilarating!

Two murders took place at Glensheen in 1977!

A sad tale

Heiress to a vast mining fortune, Elisabeth Congdon, the youngest of 7 children, was born, lived all her life, and died in Glensheen Mansion,

smothered to death. Her nurse was also killed.

It’s quite the story.

*A bit more about the catamaran excursion: we saw 21 of the 22 Apostle Islands, known as Wisconsin’s “crown jewels,” two lighthouses, and amazing sea caves

with plenty of narration from the boat’s captain. The water was so beautiful. We highly recommend this cruise, as well as Bayfield itself.

And we saw and did much, much more. I may need to do a whole post on the North Shore alone.  😉

If possible, go visit!

 Lake Superior absolutely mesmerized me, especially here at Two Harbors

Rick on the shore with Split Rock Lighthouse in the background

Split Rock Lighthouse Museum

It was spectacular seeing freighters up close

The alluring Glensheen Mansion on the shores of Lake Superior

Glensheen breakfast room…see the sailboat?

The grounds at Glensheen were alive with color and beauty ♥

Great vacation so far…

Bayfield, WI, is the cutest little harbor town; we got a chocolate espresso shake ♥

Our tour was about 2 hours 

Sea caves on Lake Superior

Whew! That was a lot. The captivating North Shore has so much to see and do. Go check it out!

In September, we took a trip to Loveland, Estes Park, Redstone, Marble, and Crystal, CO.

Nine days in Colorado!

We stayed with our son Luke, and his wife, Melissa.

As a gift the previous Christmas, they had given us a trip to the “Jacobsen Resort” for meals, lodging, and adventure.

What an ingenious idea!

Rick and Luke painted the outside of their house the first part of the week, and we devoured Melissa’s tasty culinary treasures (at every meal!)!

As usual, we hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park; this time Ypsilon Lake and Mount Chapin.

Both were fairly hard!

Fresh new color–previously it was yellow

Looking at Mt. Ypsilon from Ypsilon Lake

We saw these two on our way back from Ypsilon Lake

Left to right: Ypsilon, Chiquita, and the craggy mountain is Chapin, which we hiked.

I’ve got peace like a river…

Then, we four packed up and went in search of new adventures!

It was raining and a little scary on fast, steep, curvy I-70, but we arrived safely at our destination just in time for dinner.

Melissa had packed enchiladas for that night. Yum!

On to Redstone… 

Overpowering the area is Mt. Sopris; Redstone is straight ahead

The interesting coke ovens across the highway from Redstone

 Redstone is a hidden gem surrounded by red cliffs, stunning scenery, and pristine forest with a coal mining history.

We lodged in the colorful, quaint Redstone Historic District beside the Crystal River Valley,

population 92!

Redstone was built as a home for the mine workers. The founder and owner of the mine built a castle on the river, which still stands.

Massive Mt. Sopris and the river graced our peaceful backyard.

Redstone has one (colorful!) street

Radiant color spilled over everywhere you looked

The peaceful Crystal River

Maroon Bells

Next morning, we made our way to the Aspen-Snowmass area to hike the stunning Maroon Bells.

As with many parks nowadays, one has to take a shuttle to get into the park.

Since all the early shuttle and hike times were taken, we couldn’t hike in the morning, as we prefer.  🙁

However, the trees and foliage were painted with golden afternoon light;

it was glorious!

Rick and I getting ready to hike the Maroon Bells area, at a certain time of day when the sun hits them, the peaks look pink/red

Thank you, God, for all this beauty

We ate lunch outside before we hit the trail

Nature is God’s artwork

The flowers absolutely thrive in the mountain air

It was magical hiking here

Everything was bathed in warm light

A waterfall of colors!

A detachment of Birch trees stand at attention

Chunks of marble

After our hike, we drove a steep winding road to Snowmass Village, around 9,000-10,000 ft elevation;

saw some beautiful homes perched precariously on the mountainside.

Got back to Redstone that evening very tired!

Next day, we explored the small town of Marble, known for mining elegant white marble slabs.

Interestingly, its marble was used for the Tomb of the Unknowns, as well as for parts of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and civic buildings

in San Francisco.

Only high-clearance vehicles allowed

We had been there several years ago and I had desperately wanted to go up to the Crystal Mill. Because the rough, one-lane road is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles and since we were driving a van, we couldn’t get up there.

But this time,

very excitedly,

we took a 4×4 jeep excursion tour with Dustin, our fun driver, up the steep, 6-mile, rocky path to the famous Crystal River Mill

and the ghost town of Crystal “City,” elevation 9000.

The air was fresh and cool and whispered of history

The path-like road follows the Crystal River and rewards the brave with breathtaking views.

Quite an exhilarating ride!

Back down the mountain, Slow Groovin’ BBQ, the only restaurant in Marble, filled our bellies deliciously.

Life-time memories were made. ♥

This road is accessible only by high-clearance 4x4s and leads to the Crystal Mill and its ghost town

Luke and Melissa at the Mill

Fun memories with Dustin, our driver  🙂

We drove thru dry, wet, rocky, steep, narrow, harrowing…

The trip up the perilous path was exciting and beautiful with this as the reward!

This little ghost town is surrounded by mountain peaks and even still has some residents; the general store was open when we were there

The mountains make a picturesque backdrop for the only restaurant in Marble

We drove back to Loveland that night, and the next morning Rick and I went back home to Omaha.

This trip marked many good memories in the travel journal. ♥

The last adventure for this year was one of great anticipation!

Our normally-good Christmas was made even better because of two little buns in ovens.

Chelsea and Jacob were expecting their second in May, and Luke and Melissa their first in June!

Charlie had a lot of fun with the tripod…and he actually got some good shots! 🙂

We had a very merry time.

He had so much fun!

He really got some good shots!  🙂

Sisters-in-law due 8 weeks apart

So, this was our 2022 in a nutshell. Glad you came along.

What was your favorite part? Leave me a message.  😉

I’m already hard at work on my synopsis of 2023,

so stay tuned for babies and more travel!

Until then, may your life be full of (contagious) joy!

Thanks for spending time here.  🙂

♥ Pam ♥