The Bucket List
June 2011
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08/05/11Rocky Mountain Chocolate FactoryI like apples. Correction: I love, crave, and seek out apples or anything made of apples. But, despite my love for apples, I have a sweet tooth whose cravings cannot be satisfied by a mere fruit. Chocolate-dipped, caramel-rolled, candy-coated, sugar-glazed—now that’s more like it! The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Canal Park gives me a variety of rich options in which to satisfy my sweet tooth. Posted at 11:44 AM | Permalink |
07/23/11Maritime MuseumIn Canal Park, walking along the boardwalk towards the lighthouse and bridge, you’ll come across horse-drawn carriages, bike rental, a little boat that sells mini donuts, a few dozen seagulls, and a few anchors that have retired to the shore and now serve as climbing apparatuses and lawn decorations. These anchors have a greater story than just of the kid who tripped and hit his head; they pay tribute to Duluth’s shipping history, but did you know that they could also double as tombstones? The Duluth Maritime Museum located right next to the lift bridge at the end of the boardwalk is the place to learn fun facts about Duluth’s shipping history. The museum contains maps wrinkled and yellowed by use and age, newspaper clippings, artistic renderings, detailed models,... Posted at 11:44 AM | Permalink |
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07/15/11Lake SuperiorLast time I talked about how we all see Lake Superior and that we should try a new perspective and see the shore. I’m all about finding new perspectives—especially when it comes to things that seem to slink themselves into a particular classification in our minds—and I’ve already given one example of getting a new view on the greatest of the Great Lakes. This time, I’m here to give you another: discover a new perspective under the surface of Lake Superior. You heard me. Dive in! Posted at 10:13 PM | Permalink |
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07/09/11Vista FleetI cannot conceive a way possible for someone to live in the Twin Ports area for any length of time and claim that they have never seen Lake Superior. Take I-35, go to Park Point, stroll the Lakewalk, peer out from Enger Tower, see a movie at Leif Erickson Park, stay in a hotel, cross the bridge—you simply cannot miss it! Yes, we’ve seen the lake but my question is instead this: have you seen the shore? The Vista Fleet is the perfect way to get a new view on the familiar! Posted at 12:32 AM | Permalink |
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06/28/11Leif Erikson ParkI have wondered, on various occasions, if I have what is dubbed “restless leg syndrome.” My legs are almost always moving—tapping, twirling, swinging, bouncing, etc—and it’s very hard for me to sit still. If I can’t get the wiggles out through random movements I admit defeat, get up from my chair, leave my book or writing project, and strap on the rollerblades. When I need a just-right excursion, the Lakewalk is a top choice: the perfect length, beautiful scenery, public, hills and curves, and the nice downhill ride through Leif Erikson Park. |
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06/28/11The Bucket List: The DepotAlso known as the St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center, the Duluth Depot is the center for a body of programs, education, history, and the arts. The body is made up of several parts. The flamboyant hair of the angular roof is accessorized by rounded steeples. The mouth is very wide, sporting several doors that lead into a very clean and healthy atmosphere. The Depot is very tall—four levels of rooms for exhibits, displays, and a theatre. All in all, the Depot is a body fit to maintain the arts and history of the Duluth region. |
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06/27/11S.S. William A. IrvinHow would you like to retire after forty years of work? If it’s a guarantee I’m certain many would jump on the opportunity! What if it was also a guarantee to, in those forty years, make a record that still remains unbroken even after your retirement? What if you were the first to be created, the first in your area, and the first to incorporate the new spirit and technologies following the Depression? What if you were guaranteed a place in history? Well, the S.S. William A. Irvin achieved it all! Posted at 06:24 PM | Permalink |
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06/21/11The Bucket List: Aerial Lift BridgeSunny days come and go with the frequency of the stop-and-go construction traffic of summer, and when the sun does come out and the warm weather decides make an appearance in the Northland, we Duluthians try to pack everything we can into the three-month span. However, it seems we always need a lift in order to get out of our gray-day gloom and into our warm-weather exuberance. I have lived in the area all my life and I’ll say—with confidence—that the Aerial Lift Bridge is just the thing to do it! |
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06/21/11The Bucket List: Enger Park Part IEnger Park is a beautiful place to visit in and of itself, but Enger Tower is reason alone to make the trip up the hill. The panoramic view of Duluth and the skyline is worth every trek up those stone steps. As a child, my brother and I raced just for the sake of it, now we take our time to enjoy the structure of the tower and the amazing view. 85 steps are nothing (oh yes, I counted them!) compared to the view and photo opportunities! |
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06/20/11The Bucket List: Bayfront Festival ParkDuluth is such a tourist town (especially during summer months) that it is constantly striving to make the best use of its space. Parking in downtown Duluth or in Canal Park can get just plain ridiculous—and that’s just on a normal day! If there’s an event of any kind going on, you can assume the worst and pack your walking shoes. But enough on my parking rant . . . let me get onto one way Duluth has sought to utilize space: Bayfront Festival Park. |
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06/20/11The Bucket List: Duluth Public Library“His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his tall spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk upon his chest, and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their own story. He was at work again.” |
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06/15/11Bagley Nature AreaLike any wilderness area in the Northland, Bagley Nature Area has another brand of beauty to offer in every season. Posted at 11:21 AM | Permalink |
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05/16/11YMCAThe YMCA solves the problem of exercising in the winter. Posted at 09:42 AM | Permalink |
