Something Creative
I haven’t been up to doing much lately…mostly I can make it through a day at work & back home. It’s strange to feel this tired & even worse this weak. Slowly I’m doing my best to get back the strength that not feeling well has sucked out of me. To that end I decided that a day outside –specifically in Duluth was just what I needed.
I love spending time along Lake Superior. The more time I spend there the more I am amazed at all the different moods the water has. Lake Superior is it’s own character…it is defined by itself & it defines Duluth (and a lot of other towns). Driving into Duluth from the south on I35 there’s a point where you top the last hill before driving down into the city. I still remember the first time Abe & I ever drove to Duluth because my eyes were immediately drawn toward the lake. While Duluth may never be a picturesque city there is a drama that dwells there along the shores of Lake Superior. But back to my original thought….
Last weekend was gorgeous weather-wise…so after working around the house on Saturday we took Sunday to enjoy a bit of summer. That naturally meant heading to Canal Park in Duluth. 
(Everybody else had the same idea.) We parked & made our way to the Lakewalk (something the city is constantly improving & adding to the Lakewalk extends from Bayfront Park Pavilion up past Leif Erickson park to the Fitger’s Brewery Complex & up to where the North Shore Scenic Drive begins…a distance of 4.2 miles). We started our walk where the path enters Canal Park & headed south toward Bayfront Park. Pete, Anne & the boys were along which is always fun.
Anne & I took turns pushing the stroller while Pete & Abe were in charge of keeping an eye on A who was speeding along on his little bike. We ambled along chatting & watching the crowd. We watched some brave crazy teenagers jump off the “Ice House” (a large wooden structure submerged just a little way off shore) into what I can assure you was cold water. We stopped for a bit when we reached one of the Lakewalk’s food stands so A could get a hot dog. We kept walking, past the Army Corps of Engineers building & the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center and then under the Aerial Lift Bridge.
I enjoy studying the Aerial Lift Bridge. It’s a fascinating bit of construction & the architecture of it is beautiful. If Lake Superior defines Duluth the Aerial Lift Bridge is the symbol of Duluth. However, as fascinated as I am by the bridge I am also terrified of it (in fact I have the same love hate relationship with all bridges) and have only managed to cross it twice on foot & never in a car. Walking under it always give me the heebie-jeebies as not only can you hear the traffic that is mere inches from your head but you can look up through the openwork metal & watch the wheels zzzzzhhhhh past.
Once under the bridge we walked toward the William A Irwin (a tour I will take one day) and over the slip bridge for the Vista Tours boats. From there we made our way to Bayfront Park where we stopped for a bit to enjoy the day & decide what to do next.
After awhile we headed back toward the cars this time walking along the busy sidewalks. By the time we got back to the cars I was exhausted…it was a lot of walking for me but I pressed on (I thought about trying to ride in the stroller but Anne said she wouldn’t push me) and was glad to make the whole walk.
I love spending time along Lake Superior. The more time I spend there the more I am amazed at all the different moods the water has. Lake Superior is it’s own character…it is defined by itself & it defines Duluth (and a lot of other towns). Driving into Duluth from the south on I35 there’s a point where you top the last hill before driving down into the city. I still remember the first time Abe & I ever drove to Duluth because my eyes were immediately drawn toward the lake. While Duluth may never be a picturesque city there is a drama that dwells there along the shores of Lake Superior. But back to my original thought….
Last weekend was gorgeous weather-wise…so after working around the house on Saturday we took Sunday to enjoy a bit of summer. That naturally meant heading to Canal Park in Duluth. 
(Everybody else had the same idea.) We parked & made our way to the Lakewalk (something the city is constantly improving & adding to the Lakewalk extends from Bayfront Park Pavilion up past Leif Erickson park to the Fitger’s Brewery Complex & up to where the North Shore Scenic Drive begins…a distance of 4.2 miles). We started our walk where the path enters Canal Park & headed south toward Bayfront Park. Pete, Anne & the boys were along which is always fun.
Anne & I took turns pushing the stroller while Pete & Abe were in charge of keeping an eye on A who was speeding along on his little bike. We ambled along chatting & watching the crowd. We watched some brave crazy teenagers jump off the “Ice House” (a large wooden structure submerged just a little way off shore) into what I can assure you was cold water. We stopped for a bit when we reached one of the Lakewalk’s food stands so A could get a hot dog. We kept walking, past the Army Corps of Engineers building & the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center and then under the Aerial Lift Bridge.
I enjoy studying the Aerial Lift Bridge. It’s a fascinating bit of construction & the architecture of it is beautiful. If Lake Superior defines Duluth the Aerial Lift Bridge is the symbol of Duluth. However, as fascinated as I am by the bridge I am also terrified of it (in fact I have the same love hate relationship with all bridges) and have only managed to cross it twice on foot & never in a car. Walking under it always give me the heebie-jeebies as not only can you hear the traffic that is mere inches from your head but you can look up through the openwork metal & watch the wheels zzzzzhhhhh past.
Once under the bridge we walked toward the William A Irwin (a tour I will take one day) and over the slip bridge for the Vista Tours boats. From there we made our way to Bayfront Park where we stopped for a bit to enjoy the day & decide what to do next.
After awhile we headed back toward the cars this time walking along the busy sidewalks. By the time we got back to the cars I was exhausted…it was a lot of walking for me but I pressed on (I thought about trying to ride in the stroller but Anne said she wouldn’t push me) and was glad to make the whole walk.
I’m hoping to convince Abe to take me up along the North Shore this coming weekend…it’s a trip me like to make at least once a year & I’m thinking we’re overdue. Hopefully I can keep up & explore all our old haunts (maybe find some new ones). Besides both of us need the boost we get from spending that time out in the world.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
-
http://littledailyescape.blogspot.com Megan
