Duluth

Duluth/Hinkley

Mary and Bob left Fenton Saturday July 14, in light rain, going to the Texas reunion in Hinkley Mn, by way of Duluth; we crossed the Mackinaw Bridge with a moderate wind warning for RVs and trucks. There was one freighter crossing under the bridge and one coming in the distance. We exit the Expressway onto Highway 2 west with good views of Lake Michigan. At Blaney Park we turned north to Mi-28. Not many cars or people.

We had to stop on the road for a family of birds, not sure what they were but they were big. Our guess is geese but they are white like a swan. When we turned around to get pictures they were crossing the the road and traffic stopped in both directions.

We drove 500 plus miles to Ironwood, Mi for the first night. Stayed at an older motel that had a sign saying “welcome bikers”. A few bikers were there and the price was right, for 40.00, we got a fridge and Microwave. We fit right in.

Sunday night we stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Duluth and were very impressed with the town and all there is to do there. We took a Harbor tour aboard the Vista Star and learned so many interesting facts about the area.

There are three bridges, the Lift Bridge which had to rise for us to go under, the High Bridge that the freighters pass below and the Richard Bong Bridge. The Canal Park Parkway goes 5 miles along the water and is a bike walking path. It is a well used and well maintained area with fantastic views.

Duluth is a town built on a hill side. From Skyline Parkway Drive I took many pictures which do not do justice to the beautiful views.

On the boat tour we see three freighters. The Cason J Callaway being filled with iron ore and the St Clair who just unloaded 30 new stainless steel wind turbines, that will be erected around the area.
The James R Barker is 1004 feet long, one of the largest vessels on the great lakes, being loaded with coal at 3 ton a second. [The Callaway]



Market Square is a good place to stroll and sit and watch people go by. The pond and fish statues of the “Muskie “spitting water seem to catch the eye of everyone. Each child passing can not resist sticking his finger, hand or head into the flowing stream of water.





We ate supper at Grandma’s Sports Garden Bar & Grill. It was a very large place with all sports covered. There is an Ice boat hanging from the ceiling and a 30 foot rowing skiff over our heads. An old air plane is suspended; a race car is mounted on one wall. A Hockey scoreboard is in the corner and TV’s with baseball games are all around. I spy a sign I had never seen but made us laugh. You can Text Message the DJ for your favorite song. Is the place too big to find the DJ, or do you just want to be anonymous? The phone number is on the sign.



After making our waffle at the breakfast bar in hotel we drive around town once more vowing to return, we go south 75 miles on highway 35 for Hinkley.