I lived in Duluth, MN for five years. There were so many things to love. The lakewalk, bike trails, hiking trails, places to kayak, restaurants, micro breweries, and even a distillery. Unfortunately, the climate is more challenging than other parts of Minnesota and the people I found to be just as difficult. If you weren't related to someone or had not grown up there, you are an outsider and not accepted. Period.
I relocated for that and other reasons, but I do like to go back for visits.
In June, I was there to take in a Doobie Brothers concert with a friend from high school. We arrived early afternoon and we had lunch at Vita pizza and I had my usual Tomasso with an Earth rider beer from Superior.
After that I did some shopping at Art Dock where I found a few Minnesota made items to take to a friend in India later this year as well as at the pop up shop outside the Core of Engineers. I love their magnets of the iconic lift bridge which can also hold a note or photo. I went on Duluth Pack where my daughter used to work and checked out the sale rack like any self respecting female.
Then I scoped out the best entrance for us to walk to for the concert and I looked for the Statue of Liberty. Failing to find her, I had to stop in Vikre distillery to see what they are mixing up these days. I was pleased to find they have expanded their selections and I had a nice tasting flight before heading back to the hotel to dress for the concert.
The concert was great. Two years ago when we went to see them at the State Fair, Michael McDonald was not there, and it was still a good show, but we missed him. This time we lucked out. Their sax player is amazing and the two dueling drum kits were great too.
Due to having a lakeside room and it being the second longest day of the year, we were up early with the sun. After morning yoga, I took my bike up the Lakewalk to Glensheen Mansion, which I still have never toured. Some flowers were blooming, and the lake was shimmering. I retraced my steps and over to the "beach" aka Minnesota Point, where there is a sand beach and a steady surf. It's always beautiful there -- even in the winter. Then I looped back around to look for the Status of Liberty and I had literally walked right past her the previous day. Look up, Britta!!! Not at the dumpsters behind the DECC.
We had some breakfast at the hotel, but for me, it wasn't that interesting because I try to avoid refined carbs and greasy meats. But the coffee was good! While we were sipping coffee, Jenny all of a sudden noticed a big freighter coming in and we both ran out of the room to get down to the list bridge to take some photos. As many times as I've watched ships go in or out of harbor there, it never gets old. The lift bridge technology is simple and old, but still working like a charm. It's an iconic landmark in Duluth and "getting bridged" is a verb in Duluth because they bring the bridge up well before the ship is in the canal and it takes a while for a 1000 footer to pass through with no wake. It can take up to 30 minutes total from bridge up, to ship through, and bridge down.
Our next stop was the Lief Ericson park rose garden. Unfortunately, we were too early for the roses, but some tulips and azaleas were in bloom. There is a beautiful gazebo where many a wedding has taken place, and I have witnessed some. I told Jenny how one couple used the lyrics from the Debbie Boone song "You light up my life" for their vows. Cheesy to those of us who were teens when the sone came out.
From there it was on to the Great Harvest bakery to pick up a baguette and a giant cinnamon roll. I can say their cinnamon rolls come much more recommended than the baguettes. I also wanted to stop at the Whole foods co-op Hillside. Not to be confused with the Amazon owned Wholefoods, this is a community co-op and an amazing store. Jenny indulged me as I shopped because there is nothing like this close to my home.
Finally, we were heading out of town, but we made one last stop at Casa Latte, where my daughters and I always stopped on our way to the lake where I now live. Their coffee and sandwiches are still as good as ever, and they have work by local artists for sale in the shop, too. It was another lovely visit to Duluth.
Comments