Day Two - 2010 Summer Trip to Stillwater, Duluth, and Grand Marais, MN

Day Two - Stillwater, MN to Duluth, MN

Day Two (Sunday) started out overcast with a chance of showers. After refueling and grabbing a 24 oz. coffee, it was on to Duluth via I-35. It was only 2-1/2 hours to Duluth, and the Tall Ships Festival. The Festival, part of the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge, which kicked off in Duluth a few days earlier. This is the main event of the Duluth Summer, and is expected to bring in literally tens of thousands of people over the 6 day event. Check out a couple news stories from the Festival - 
- Fox 21 - Duluth 
- WCCO - Minneapolis
- Kare 11 - Minneapolis

We exited I-35 in Duluth about 9:30, and got in line to park. Even by 10am the festival area was already crowded with tourists, and vendors hawking water, souvenirs, and events of the day.  The Duluth Bayfront Festival Park was the venue for all the activities. 

Located next to the Great Lakes Aquarium, the festival area not only included all the tall ships and exhibitors/vendors, but also a huge stage where The Pirates of Penzance daily shows were held. 

We opted not to view the stage show, as we wanted to beat the crowds to the "on board" tours of the boats. Lines to several of the ships were listed as 1-2 hours, so we grabbed the shortest line at the U.S. Brig Niagara. This ship has 17 professional crew members, and during this summer sailing event, adds 20 "trainees" who live on board for a minimum of 3 weeks. The ships are such majestic vessels, but once on board, man, are they small! The information says some carried up to 200 soldiers on board, along with supplies! As you can see from the photos below, this must have been quite a ride!

We selected a ship where they had a canvas covering above the deck. Ironically, as we boarded the ship, it began sprinkling. "Cameraman Rick" was VERY PLEASED with this as it kept my cameras dry!

After departing the ship, we wandered along the dock and checked out the other ships. By now, lines were at least 2 hours to tour on board. The ship garnering all the attention was the "Bounty". This was a replica of the real ship, and was the most popular at the Festival.












With the crowds growing, we opted to head over to Canal Park, and check out the lakewalk, the Aerial Bridge, and the Lake Superior Marine Museum and Maritime Visitor Center. 

The lakewalk, which runs from Canal Park up along the northern end of Duluth, has great views of Lake Superior and the canal entering the Duluth Harbor under the famed Duluth Aerial Bridge. 

It was definitely time for a break so we grabbed a table at Grandmas Saloon & Grille deck, overlooking the Aerial Bridge and Canal. This restaurant is one of the main hubs for the Annual Grandma's Marathon in the Spring. While enjoying some appetizers and "adult beverages", we were able to view the passing of the tall ships giving rides out onto Lake Superior.

Upon finishing, we decided to head back to the Festival, and make our "souvenir run" before heading out to the North Shore of Duluth. The walkway along the ships and the Aquarium were now packed, and with the sun finally breaking thru, it was getting HOT! It was definitely time to head on out.

Our next stop was the historic Fitger's Lakefront Hotel. This hotel, which still operates several rooms, also houses the Fitger's Brewery & Grille, two other restaruants, and a host of small shoppes. 

We wandered out to its lakefront area, and grabbed an ice cream cone while admiring the view of Lake Superior and Duluth. This area had not only the seating area shown here, but a deck built out over the Lakewalk and railroad tracks which the Northshore Railroad uses for its daily tours. 

From here, we decided to hit the lakewalk and wander back down toward the Canal Park area. Along the walk we passed a really interesting mural created on the train tunnel heading into Downtown Duluth. Its hard to see, but the mural is made entirely of 1" square tiles. Amazing!

Further down the walk we came upon a "first" for me... a Handicapped Porta Pottie"! (No, I didn't go in to check it out). Ok, now has anyone ever seen one of these???)

By now, between all the walking, and the heat/sun which was now into the upper 80's, we made the executive decision to wind things down for the day. But before the drive back to the hotel, we had to check out the brewery at Fitger's. Those beers definitely hit the spot!

We left Fitger's, and wandered up the shoreline thru the older established lakefront neighborhoods. Some beautiful homes, not unlike those you see along Prospect Blvd in Waterloo, but with Lake Superior as your backyard setting. Several with "for sale" signs in the front yard, so if anyone is looking for a great summer vacation spot, tell them "Rick Sent you".... 

Not quite ready to head to the hotel, we decided to check out the Black Bear Casino and Resort in Carlton, MN. A VERY NICE facility. After about an hour of slot play, Sue and I actually left ahead!










Time to head to our Country Inn & Suites in Proctor, MN, after grabbing some subs at the Proctor Pizza and Subs Shop, in Downtown Proctor. Nothin' better than relaxin' in the hotel after a busy day, and some good food!

That wraps of DAY TWO of our trip to Minnesota. DAY THREE will take us up the coast of Lake Superior to Grand Marais, and all point in between. 

Stay tuned!