welcome to lutsen

Hello! So, obviously, I went to the North Shore this week. And I've written about my love of this region many, many times. But usually, I don't go very far up the coast. Because I'm lazy and I want to stop driving.But this time! This time I drove up to Lutsen, and I stayed in the historical lodge at Lutsen Resort. For non-locals, Lutsen is also a "ski" resort in Minnesota (in quotations because I used to live in Colorado and that hill in Minnesota really doesn't qualify in my book). And so I always pictured this resort as a 1970s ski lodge type place with no character.Guys. I was so wrong.This resort has a ton of newer areas with condos and townhomes and cabins and "sea villas" which might very well meet that description. But the lodge itself is like the most perfectly kitschy Twin Peak-esque place ever. In fact, when I arrived, they gave us keys. Not KEY CARDS. But actual keys. I was charmed.Also! I didn't know this resort was located on a river that feeds into the lake. This makes the scenery even more breathtaking, and offers a few different hikes that keep you on the property. Plus? Who doesn't love the sound of a river? And I guess there's good fishing too or whatever.Below are some photos I took of the lodge and the grounds, and I for sure will be coming back here. And to prove that this resort is not paying me, I will say that the rooms were spotlessly clean, the place full of charm, and I had a smile on my face for most of the time. I will also add that the food was terrible at the resort's main restaurant, and I really suggest heading to Grand Marais for dinner instead. Sorry for that, but you want the truth.Also! If you are a coffee nerd like me, drive 5 more miles north to Fika Coffee and enjoy the best mocha of your life. You're welcome. Oh, and you can see the milky way from right outside the lodge. Now that is a pretty awesome perk.