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January 16, 2007 | 4 Comments

Mr. K
Could you say a few words about the north shore of Lake Superior? We're thinking about taking a trip to Minnesota in August, h-qing in Duluth, and doing day trips along LS. Anything we should be sure not to miss? Anything we should be sure to miss? Thanks for your help and for the show.

Rex M.
Lees Summit, MO

Duluth and the North Shore are worth your while for sure but I haven't driven up there in years so I asked the poet Louis Jenkins of Duluth to respond, and he has, as follows:

"The Munger Trail, a former railroad grade. (West Duluth) particularly for biking; Enger Tower for a great view of the city and the Lake. It's on Skyline Drive which runs along the hill above town. Great views, all along; Canal Park, and Park Point, on the other side of the famous Aerial Lift Bridge, the longest fresh-water sand spit in the world, great beach and sometimes the water is warm enough to swim in. The whole area is crowded in summer so avoid it if you hate traffic jams and lots of people. You also run the risk of being "bridged", trapped on the Point while the bridge is up, allowing a ship to enter the harbor and halting all automobile traffic; Cross the St. Louis River Bay to Superior, WI, try the Anchor Bar for burgers & beer and The Boathouse for fine food and a great view of Duluth; The Lake Superior Hiking Trail along the North Shore; Old 61 hwy. along the NS, lots of shops, curios and gifts, if you like, and views of Lake Superior, great food at the New Scenic Cafe; Stoney Point for a nice short walk by the Lake; The town of Knife River especially Russ Kendall's for smoked fish, buy a couple of smoked herring for lunch, take them down to the beach, turn right at the "Marina" sign, eat the fish with your fingers while viewing Knife Island. You'll need lots of napkins, and don't feed the seagulls; All along the North Shore are lovely rivers, Lester, French, Sucker, Knife, Stewart, Baptism, Temperance, Caribou, Cascade… with lots of hiking trails. There are towns and parks, Two Harbors, Castle Danger, Gooseberry Falls State Park (very crowded, but lovely); Split Rock light house, Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Schroeder, Tofte (see the Commercial Fishing Museum), Lutsen, Grand Marais, where you can take the Gunflint Trail up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area (BWCWA) after which it's Canada. Just look around, there are undiscovered treasures."

4 Comments

Barbara Kolpin | January 19, 2007 8:35 AM

To add to Louis Jenkin's comments: Headquartering in Duluth is great but please do plan to spend at least one evening in Lutsen or Grand Marais futher up the road so that you can truly relax and enjoy that stretch of the North Shore. You can take short out-and-back hikes on the Lake Superior Hiking Trail and discover hidden streams and waterfalls as well as gorgeous hilltop vistas. Eat at some of the unique and wonderful restaurants or, my favorite, pull your car off of Hwy 61 into one of the numerous waysides and walk down to the beach. Eat your fish and cheese and sit in the sun and listen to the waves. Wander the beaches and search for agates, Thompsonite and other "pretty stones" (as my children would say). The North Shore is truly a place to relax and recharge. Welcome - we'd love to share it with you.

Don Deyo | January 20, 2007 2:25 PM

I'm no geography major but wouldn't the north shore be across the lake say in maybe Canada? Here in Michigan's U.P. I usually here it referred as the "south shore". I've also heard Cleavland refer itself as the North Coast of the U.S., I've been there a few times reminds me more of the armpit of the nation. Garrison, F.Y.I. the Mining Journal out of Marquette ran your column for the first time last week hope you got your cut. I think your in Art Buchwald's old spot, some big shoe's to fill, but I think they got the right man for the job. Has anyone checked on Gary lately? Don Deyo
Munising, MI

rob | January 21, 2007 7:35 PM

"...to let a ship pass by," or words to that effect? To LET...outrageous sir, outrageous. The ship is in its element and you, in an automobile, want to cross over that element. The river was always there, and the road and bridge were not. You wait, sir, and be thankful the river has not swept away the pilings.

Marietta Moravetz (don't use last name) | January 29, 2007 2:25 AM

My Duluth highlight was seeing the underground railroad museum with dozens of train and trolley cars on tracks. So much northern history is preserved with those train cars! Too, the underground museum can be enjoyed regardless of the weather outside.