On Another Shore

I snuck out on you.  I'm in Duluth, MN.  Though I am not much of a driver/navigator, I drove there on my own for the first time and made it safely.  Yay, me!

Aaron has been working out of town, often in Duluth, four of the past five weeks.  Since we miss each other, and I don't have to punch a clock, I came out to see him for a few days.  

I have only been here one other time -- years ago -- at night.  All I remember was a city on a big hill with lots of industry in beautiful Lake Superior.  That is still the same.  But this time, as I am on my own during the day, I venture out to the woods in the middle of town.  I have been surprised by what I've encountered so far.

Before I moved to da U.P., I was more afraid of the woods than the city.  The woods were scary and unknown, and the city was full of places to shop and exciting things to do.  Now, when I go to a city, I look for the woods.  And there, I am at home.  This change in perspective amazes me.

Yesterday I found the trails along Chester Creek.  Trails wind along each side of this creek.  It was fun for me to hike up and down the trails to the creek and back up along the way.  I noticed that improvements had recently been made on the paths and sidewalls.  That's right, I reminded myself, this area flooded this summer, and they had to rebuild.  It looks like they made quick work of it.  Way to go, Duluth!

I was so glad to be among the canyon walls, trickling streams and rocky paths, that I really didn't want to come out.  But I got thirsty and hungry, so I found my way back to the house I was staying at.

This morning, as I was looking for a place to go mountain biking, I saw a little snippet on a map that mentioned a canyon trail.  Yeah, baby!  I'm hiking there first!  I walked the streets until I found Congdon Park.  This was really awesome too with 30 foot canyon walls and multiple waterfalls.  This one had lots of bridges crossing the water many times, but I tried jumping rocks when I could.  I only got one slightly wet foot, but it was worth it.

I noticed many ways that Duluth is like Copper Harbor.  For one, if I'm going to the woods, I'm either climbing or descending in elevation.  It's fun to go up and get all sweaty, then come back down like the breeze.  Also, lots of the local flora is the same.  Here I found tansy, aster, wild rose, snowberry, yarrow, norther bush honeysuckle and even thimbleberry!  Something about all the cars cruising on bridges over my head wasn't quite the same, though.

My favorite likeness is Lake Superior.  I get a view of her right outside my hotel room.  And, though I take a bridge over the highway to get there, she is right across the street!  I went to her shore this morning to relish in her waves and vastness.  The shoreline here is quite similar with the red swirled boulders and smooth beach rocks.

I'm slowly adjusting to the traffic, and I'm not as nervous as I was when I first arrived.  I'm always surprised what a shock cities are to me.  Especially if I have to navigate and drive myself.  But once I cross that bridge to Wisconsin, the ride is easy going.  Thank goodness!

By the way, if you want to read more about how it is for us Harborites to go to town, check out my article "Going to Town" in the virtual Copper UP.  It's on pages 6 and 7.  But don't skip right to it because my article about the Astor House Museum made the front page!  Happy reading!

A Little Cloud

Whew.  Here is my break.  It's the slow week of the summer before the last Labor Day week hoo-rah.  And we can feel it.  Business owners and employees are grateful for this little cloud in the sky.  Just as an example, the Harbor Haus usually serves 200 - 270 dinners a night starting in July -- no matter what day of the week it is.  The last couple nights have averaged 130 dinners.  As the person who makes all the drinks for those eaters, I sure enjoy a little down time.

The temp is up to 80 today.  Quite a jump from our previous 60-70's.  Last week we had chilly days from high northwest winds.  Oh, it was so windy that the Isle Royale Queen IV had to shift her schedule around for taking people to and from Isle Royale.  They really pay attention to the wind and waves, those captains do.  Better safe than dead!  Lake Superior isn't generous with second chances. 

I am working on another article for the Copper UP fall edition.  But in the mean time, you can see what I wrote for them in their summer edition at this link.  I have two articles and one half page spread about my book!  How sweet of them.  Well, please enjoy since that is all I have for now.  Miss you!

Berries and My Articles

Lucky for you, it is raining today in da Harbor, so I can write.  Because of this, I did not get a chance to get out and pick berries.  Berries?!  Yes!  It is berry season, and I've been out three days in a row before work.  I am an addict, remember. 

Town is busy EVERYday.  I completely forgot how many kids come here.  I forgot what large numbers of people come up together.  What I did not forget, however, is how many questions they ask.  I'll leave that one alone.

I really don't have to much to say otherwise, besides I'm busy working six days a week and then having to go to town on my day off.  Oy.  But there are worse things in the world, and I am making some bank to put away for the slow times.  Only twelve more weeks until I can start working on my book again!!!

By the way, if you like my writing, I wrote a couple articles in the Copper UP -- the makers of the Porcupine Press.  You can check it out at this link.  Just click on the bagpipe guy to read it all!  I hope you enjoy.  One of my articles made the front page!