Breakwater Lighthouse, Two Harbors, MN
One final photo from today. This one is the lighthouse in Two Harbors. It was just after sunset when I took this photo. Right before I took this, a kayaker paddled by on his way to shore.
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September 10, 2006
Betty's Pies, Two Harbors, MN
Evertime I visit Duluth or the North Shore, I think about going to Betty's Pies in Two Harbors. I've been to Duluth maybe a half dozen times and have never made it there. Well, today I did. I spent the afternoon in Canal Park. I ate lunch at Amazing Grace Cafe. I went to the lift bridge and watched a barge and tug enter the harbor. I gentleman at the bow of the ship waived at the crowd gathered along the wall. After that, I wandered through the maritime museum that's right next to the bridge. I shopped at Duluth Pack and spent my gift certificate from Christmas and then decided to drive up to Hawk Ridge. It's a spot along the cliffs where you can watch birds of prey as they migrate through the area. I saw two birds floating on the wind. There were volunteers with binoculars counting them as they went by. It wasn't very exciting, but it was a pretty view. The ridge is along Skyline Drive, which is a narrow, badly kept road. There were several one lane bridges which were reminiscent of the Hana Highway in Hawaii. Although, there wasn't much of a chance of falling off the road into the ocean. Thank goodness.
After I found my way back to a better road, I deced to head back to my room. I was a little tired, and was still fighting a headache. I rested for a while in my room and debated what I should do. It was about 5:30 and I decided that I should drive up to Betty's and have dinner. and, of course, some pie. I took the North Shore Scenic Drive and skipped the expressway to Two Harbors. The drive was very pretty. You hug the shoreline most of the way, so you get excellent views of the lake. There are also a great many pine trees along the way.
Finally at Betty's, I sat at the counter and had the special, which was a half-sandwich, soup, and pie. I had apple crumb pie which was average at best. It wasn't even warm. It wasn't disappointing, but I can make a much better pie than that. I won't be going out of my way to visit there again. The trip wasn't completely wasted though. I went out to the lighthouse in Two Harbors and watched the sun set and watch a kayaker paddle into the bay. There was also a small herd of deer grazing by the parking area. They hardly seemed to notice me as I took their picture.
Now I'm back here and am getting cozy. I have my pjs on, the fireplace is going, and I'm about to watch a movie. Although I hadn't intended it to be, it turned out to be a rather busy day.
September 9, 2006
Lift Bridge
Before breakfast, I went for a walk. Lake Superior isn't very far from where I am staying, so I walked down the hill to see it. I discovered that the road leads to another road that links up directly with the Lakewalk. I walked along that for a brief moment and snapped this photo. It promises to be a lovely day in Duluth.
The walk back to the B&B was uphill, so it was rather invigorating. Once back at the B&B, I ran up to my room to prepare for breakfast. I came down to the dining room and had a wonderful breakfast served to me. I chatted with two complete strangers, and enjoyed every minute of it. When I came back to my room, It had been picked up. It was a wonderful feeling actually, to have someone serve me breakfast and pick up my room. No one ever does that for me anymore.
The plan for the rest of the day is to find a place to stretch, get cleaned up, have a nice lunch, stop by the Duluth store and the bookstore on Superio Street, find a nice place for dinner and come back to my room to relax. I will also sneak downstairs again in the middle of the night to steal a cookie.
Ina Duncan Room at Manor on the Creek, Duluth
Ina Duncan was the wife of Charles Duncan, who built the manor that I am staying at. The room itself was either a privte room for her or a guest room, for friends who would stay over when Charles was away. The room is pink, which is my favorite color. I haven't sat on the divan yet, but the bed is really comfortable. Last night when I came in, I turned on the fireplace to warm up the room. Heavenly!
The bathroom is very cute. It is done in yellow tile and has a shower with 7 heads. I'm hoping I will be able to turn it on properly this morning. I've managed to make myself quite comfortable here and don't miss the fact that I have no TV in my room. I've spent enough time using the free Internet, so I don't really need it.
Sneaking About in My PJs
I did something completely childish. I put on my PJs - hot pink Tinkerbel PJs I might add - and ran downstairs at the B&B to steal a cookie. It was a damn good cookie, all the more so because I skampered down at 1 am to get it. It was quite fun. I know I can come and go and move about the public areas of the house as I please here, but it still was great fun to check to see if anyone was about before I went downstairs. What was even better is that I stole my cookie, ran into the living room, nibbled on it while I sat for a spell in a rocker, and then ran upstairs to my room. It was so fun. It also felt really great to pretend that I was actually a little kid, running downstairs at my grandma's to steal a cookie.
I've been out with friends all night. The great part is that I only paid for one round of drinks tonight. The rest of my food and beverages were paid for by a kindly gentleman from Scotland. No one - that I'm not related to - has done that for me for a long time, so I actually appreciated the gesture. Hopefully, I will get a chance to repay that kindness. Now, I'm going to tuck myself in to my four-post bed with the pink afghan and fall asleep while watching Sahara on my laptop. In the morning, I'm making myself presentable before I go to breakfast in the Tiffany dining room. No PJs this time. When finished there, a shower in the 7-headed shower and then who knows what adventure awaits me. Whatever it is, I plan to report it.
Coming 'Round the Bend
There is nothing like coming around the bend on I35 in Duluth. You slip around the curve and suddenly, Lake Superior appears before you. It's a breakth taking moment. The pine trees along the road are replace by the blue waters of Lake Superior. It brought a tear to my eye when I saw it earlier today. I think it's the suddenness of the change that always gets me.
That was this morning. Now I am tucked away in my room - the Ina Duncan room - at Manor on the Creek. I've never stayed at a B&B, but my first impression is that it is similar to staying at someone else's house. A stranger's house in this case, but it's nothing like being at a hotel. First, it's really quiet. Second, I don't even have a TV in my room. No matter, since I have my laptop and brought movies along. I was prepared for this. And since I have Internet access, too, I can write blog entries all night long if I want. I won't since I'm actually meeting some folks for dinner and drinks. I'll have to blog later...and include photos of the B&B.
September 8, 2006
Exploring Minnesota
Summer is officially over. It seems like I hardly did a thing all summer. I rode my bike out to the Coon Rapids Dam from my house once. Connor and I went to Elm Creek Park Reserve and went swimming and biking once. Other than these two things, I think I wasted an entire summer and have nothing to show for it. To make up for this alarming fact, over the weekend, Connor and I did a little exploring of Minnesota. On Saturday, we went hiking at Afton State Park with my friend Rebecca - different Rebecca than the one I backpacked with in Virginia. On Monday, Connor and I walked around Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. Just two attempts to salvage the last remaining days of summer, or, attempts to let summer go out with a bang.
So, now what? Do I herald in fall with some excursion? You betcha! I'm heading out of town for the weekend to Duluth. I am actually going by myself. That's right. No kid, no parents, no pets, no friends, just me, my car, my bike and my longing for adventure. I'm staying at a B&B while there. I haven't ever stayed at a B&B, a real B&B before, so this should be fun. I'm staying at Manor on the Creek (http://www.manoronthecreek.com/) in the Ida Duncan room. I'll have a whole room to myself for two whole nights. This may not seem like much, but for me, this is a real treat. I can hardly imagine waking up and not having to take care of anyone but myself.
I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing while in Duluth, but I promise to report anything of interest here. Off to pack!