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Photography by Lauren Engfer

I often reflect on the times when I feel most at peace, usually when I’m with loved ones or connecting with the outdoors. My partner and I recently got the chance to escape long days staring at computer screens to travel to the unparalleled Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts along Lake Superior’s North Shore. Our dogs, Pierre and Topher, were happy to learn they were welcome for the weekend away, too.

We set out from the Twin Cities in the 2018 Range Rover Velar. A little rain couldn’t put a damper on the driving experience. Perched in the comfort of premium leather seats, we let the automatic weather-control system work its magic and enjoyed the surprisingly smooth ride through the twists and turns of Minnesota road construction. The Velar’s climate-control system let us set specific temperatures for our own personal comfort, keeping the dogs from getting too hot and us humans from getting too cold.

Arriving on a Friday afternoon, we were greeted by the loveliest staff. We got settled into our room at Surfside on Lake Superior, which came complete with a Jacuzzi. At first, we were worried the misty rain outside might ruin our plans, but as it turns out, you can enjoy the resort no matter what the weather is doing. We took a walk along the waterfront, breathing in as much fresh air as possible. It was a nice change of pace to slow down and observe the colors, textures, sounds and, in our dogs’ case, smells.

For dinner, we headed to Bluefin Grille, where the views are just as incredible as the food and service. We were able to snag a coveted table overlooking Lake Superior and took it all in as we sipped on cocktails crafted with Minnesota-made vodka. We savored the delicious meal and some technology-free quality time together. After dinner, we took another stroll before heading back to our room to soak in the Jacuzzi.

The next morning, we hopped in the Velar and made our way farther north to the sleepy waterside village of Grand Marais, dogs in tow. We walked along the pebble-lined beach, watching families skip rocks and hundreds of loons dance on the water. We secured some lattes and roamed town, browsing the quaint shops and indulging at the aptly titled World’s Best Donuts.

The rest of the afternoon was pure bliss, spent enjoying Waves of Superior Spa’s delightful offerings. We took a light swim before our couple’s spa appointment. When the time came, we changed into lush robes, got settled into the treatment room and gave each other knowing glances as we had the stress of the city worked out of our muscles. As afternoon turned into evening, we returned to our room and sipped on some Champagne. We soon found ourselves drifting off to sleep.

The next morning had us returning to the city. Refreshed from our Bluefin Bay weekend, we made our way home, already thinking of our next North Shore getaway. 

Read this article as it appears in the magazine.

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