The Minnesota 60-somethings who have spent the past four months walking around Lake Superior are poised to re-enter Minnesota once again on the home stretch back to Duluth.
Lake Superior walkers on home stretch
One couple's summer of walking around Lake Superior enters its final few weeks.

Kate Crowley and Mike Link, pictured, set off walking east from Canal Park on April 29, and since then have had Lake Superior on their left every day as they've hiked the shoreline. "Amazing how quickly the summer and the trip has gone," said Crowley in an e-mail last week as she and her husband approached Thunder Bay. "We are still enjoying each day, but suddenly we have begun to think about the end."
The 1,800-mile journey was devised to document the state of the shoreline and the opinions of its residents, and to promote being physically active at all ages.
Overall, Crowley said, the lake appears to be in good condition, "but we are concerned by the amount of development along the U.S. side and the limited access points in some areas.
"There are bays where we would not drink the water, but appreciated the fact that from Wawa to Pukaskwa [along the lake's eastern shoreline], we just dipped and drank."
The veteran naturalists have been impressed by how well Canada protects large blocks of lakeshore and wonder why Minnesota doesn't have a national lakeshore, as do Wisconsin and Michigan. Canada doesn't get off scot-free, though: "We were struck by low lake levels more than anywhere else. They are allowing more alteration of shoreline for cabin owners because of the distance from their docks to the water."
Physically, their daily hikes average about 15 miles over rocks, beaches and the occasional highway. Knee and back pain keep Link from sleeping well, while Crowley said she feels strong and fit, although she hasn't lost as much weight as she had expected -- testament to some of the great little cafes they've found along the way.
The couple is due to arrive in Duluth on Sept. 18 for a 2 p.m. welcome celebration at Canal Park Lodge. To follow their progress, go to www.fullcirclesuperior.org.
Kim Ode • 612-673-7185
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