This past weekend in Duluth was HOT. Thank heavens. Saturday, we walked across the street to buy a new bike lock so that when we rode across the lift bridge to the beach, people wouldn’t be tempted to steal our sweet rides. On the way back from the bike shop, we encountered Gary, our landlord, who asked us what we were up to for the weekend. Aside from the beach, we didn’t have too many plans, but were in the mood to go somewhere new, see something pretty.
Gary had been recommending some elusive “highway 4″ for quite some time, but we never knew quite where he was talking about. He brought it up again that morning on the stoop, and convinced us that taking “highway 4″ to Island Lake and Boulder Lake was where it was at! Besides, there was a joint called Boondocks right by there where we could get a cold beer!
Sold!
After considerable hunting on Google Maps (there are, like, 4 different permutations / versions of Island Lake, and just as many highways 4s…), we found the route – so close, no way, just past the airport, how have we never heard of this before?!
So we decided to keep our bike / beach plans on Saturday, and head up to Island Lake on Sunday.
Hang on a tic, just now am I realizing how funnily oxymoronical “Island + Lake” is. Give me a second to chuckle.
Okay, so yes – Saturday was a marvelous picnic on the beach, and Sunday, well, see for yourself:
Yes – as you can see, prior to our big trek up highway 4, we had to gas up. The Fiat has never consumed more than $30, no matter what city we’ve been in, and no matter how close to empty her tank was. Amazing 
And yes, as you can see, the drive was absolutely gorgeous. Perfect driving weather, low 80s, awesome breeze, blue blue sky, stunning pops of cloud – a marvelous summer day!
And… yes, as you can see… Island Lake is pretty dope! We will for sure be returning, maybe scoping out Boulder Lake on the other side of the road next time.
PS – Doña Farfalle the Fiat 500 enjoyed her handsome company in the parking lot, too. Baby blue, oww oww!