Journey Upward | Duluth to Lutzen

Quaint, friendly, and delightfully outdoorsy, Cedar Coffee Company is nestled just off 11th St in Two Harbors, Minnesota, nestled among a grove of (cedar?) trees. With a connected bike shop, the cafe celebrates the classic partnership of good bikes and coffee, with a charming and friendly atmosphere apt for the peckish traveler. I felt right at home.

We ordered a quick lunch, enjoyed outside in the mild sun, before we set off again to continue our journey north.

veggie wrap on lavash

A few moments later, we pulled off to a trail near Gooseberry falls.

In a word, this hike was refreshing. Although the drive further up north is not arduous, it was the inaugural hike of our northern adventure, and the first taste of the region’s outdoor offerings. The sun glittered down on us as we climbed and trudged through some steep rocks—the most elevation I had encountered in Minnesota for quite some time.