The main reason for going this way was to stop at the “Assinika Bog” and see the Northern Commandra and maybe some orchids. Maybe it was too dry or too many trees had fallen – we only saw: Indian Pipes, Cranberries, and Snowberry. On the way, from the car, we saw the field of Cotton Grass – it was lovely but not as many as last year – we got out of the car but it was too wet to go in very close to them.

We then went the other way going SW of Grand Marais to the Cutface Creek Wayside Rest for lunch., There is a trail between the outhouse and the lake. Last year it was full of Black-eyed Susans and this year there were none. I have the feeling the DNR has planted wildflower seeds in that area. This year we saw: Wild Bergamot, Blue Vervain Verbena hastate, (only seen once before), Milk Vetch Astragalus Canadensis - which we have never seen before & a Campanula that looks like Harebells but many more stems and many flowers on each stem and long narrow leaves & we can’t find it in our books.

The main reason we went to that area was because we got a tip as to where to find Prairie Clover Petalosemum purpureum - We found it and it was a rare treat – thanks.

Fall is coming and it has been very dry. Some leaves are turning yellow and dropping.

Other flowers we saw were: Asters, Goldenrod, Pearly Everlasting, Fireweed, Deptford pinks, Canada Hawkweed, Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye and of special concern – Spotted Knapweed is now seen in town and it is invasive and bad for the soil.