The evening begins

The beautiful sky the first night of our camping trip

Starry night - with clouds

The clouds didn't appear to be moving this quickly, but a slow shutter speed showed they were. This was well after sunset.

Brilliant Sky

The clouds get their hue from a neighboring town's city lights

Our campsite

In order to be able to stay three nights, we had to book two different sites. This was our second site - tons of room!

St. Louis River, your first view in the park

As you approach the park's swinging bridge, this is the view you take in

Swinging Bridge

This bridge has been around for decades

View from the bridge itself

The water was low this year; usually the rapids are heavier

Close-up view

Thank you, zoom lens

Bridge view from the river

Craig and I were brave enough to climb down the cliffs to get closer to the river. If the river weren't so low, we wouldn't have been as brave, for fear of being swept away!

Beginning of our hike

Craig and I set off for our first hike at the park

Scary if you let it be!

As we approached the river banks, we saw this site. What do you see?

River Banks

Are these technically considered river banks if they look like this?

Craig in the middle

Can you see him clinging to the cliff in the center of the picture? Would YOU have climbed down?

Find the hubby

Craig disappeared over the rocky banks and called out, "Come and find me!"

The View

This was Craig's view from the cliff below, that I didn't dare join him at!

Fall begins

The forest was still beautifully green; but these oak leaves still found their way out.

Roots, rocks, and a walking path

The glow of the late afternoon really made parts of the hiking trail look unique and beautiful.

Peace

This says it all.

Calmer part of the river

We approached a steadier part of the river on our hike. Although it looks calm, it is impossible to wade in due to the various depths and rocky base.

Tree Trunk

Nature has such interesting shapes!

Earth and Sky

Nature's Bouquet

These rocky banks are beautiful with or without the many flower displays.

Eye see you

I caught this batch of green looking at me...

Caves from swirls

These rounded out portions of the river were created when the river was higher, and the rushing water caught in swirls and carved out these formations.

Downstream View

You could not see the bottom of this river.

Framed view

A diehard photographer risks life and limb (and sometimes woodticks!) to get a desired photo!

Flower Power

A little sunshine on a cloudy day

River Carvings

Another pool created from years of river carvings.

Amazing

One can only imagine the river dynamics that created this formation!

I love nature

A little ironic, but beautiful nonetheless

There was green on these river banks?

Yes, and yellow and purple, too!

The Hike Home

Loping paths, an easy breeze, rocks, roots, and greenery...and the slightest scent of fall.

Ant Hills

Two giant ant hills - don't park your tent here!

Day Two Hike - UPstream

I almost felt like I was traveling through Middle Earth.

Watch your step!

Every so often, a massive array of roots would cover the hiking trail.

Upstream view

The river was a bit steadier this direction; and probably a lot of fun to go whitewater rafting on when the river depth is right!

River before the falls

This is a view looking downstream towards the swinging bridge.

Crawdaddy Corpses

Crayfish skeletons were scattered everywhere in this area! We collected a few to bring home for the kids.

Me!

Here I am in all of my camping glory, and one of Craig's shirts.

Celtic Knot

Across the swinging bridge was a beautiful area to hike to and sit near waterfalls on the left branch of the river split. Graffiti adorned the rocks everywhere.

Autumn arrives

Professed Love

So...are they still together?

Rushing River

The day we climbed down the cliffs together, we were afforded this opportunity to get some closeups of the rushing water. I wanted to wade so bad!

Hey - get out of my habitat!

After the turtle dove into the water, it was quite amusing to watch him swim in place, fighting the river!

The Jay Cooke Ent

The tree made the knots; a human made the mouth. We have an ent.

Our last night

We ended the trip with rest and cozying up to the campfire.

My Awning Lights!

Anyone who knows the story will know how meaningful it is to have Craig put the awning lights up for the first time, and on this anniversary trip!

Goodnight Moon

I was hoping for a moonlit shot of the river, but it just wasn't in the cards.