Family 'Explored Minnesota'. My report, "wouldja"?

[loveable liberal]

Jay Cooke State Park - abso-friggen-lutely. Duluth - yes. Grand Marais - yes. Highway 1 - absolutely not. Ely - no (except for the wolf and bear sanctuaries). Soudan Underground Mine State Park - Absolutely. Eveleth/Virginia/Mountain Iron/Hibbing - yes for hockey purposes and Mineview in the Sky. International Falls - no. Bemidji - yes (coolest city skate park by a long shot).

Minnesota has some of the most breathtakingly beautiful State Parks. I never realized they were there. After 15 years of marriage our family was finally able to vacation and it was 7 days of bliss on the roads of our state (except the part where we were almost crushed by a maniac, timber-hauling semi).

[kickysnana]

1. I came across that semi twice...

The first time was in 1974 coming back home at dusk from the Canadian border on a curve with a huge drop off on our right and the second time he had moved out to Montana and again we were coming in from Canada heading to a National park and he was in the middle of the road coming over a rise on a road with no shoulder and huge trees blocking any chance of getting out of his way. Reminds me of the one and only time I went down The Flume at Valley Fair.

Glad it was just a close call for you.

[Brickbat]

2. Did you camp at all?

Duluth is great, Jay Cooke is a gem, the North Shore is lovely. Grand Marais, I can take or leave. Love Ely, dislike the bear sanctuary. Haven't been underground at Soudan yet. Love the Iron Range, for hockey and everything else. Haven't been to IFalls of Bemidji.

[pengillian101]

4. We have retired to the Iron Range.

Just love it! Been here in on the Iron Range 12+ years. Way up north.

I now nap in the afternoons instead of driving in all the frenzy, lol! Quiet and peaceful after commuting from the outskirts of Big Lake area to the Twin Cities's for over a decade.

Peace, quiet, tranquility------------finally. We live on a dead-end dirt road.

I only miss a few good restaurants!

[Brickbat]

5. I'm guessing by your name where you are -- I was out on the West Range last weekend for some youth

sports in G'rapids...so beautiful out your way!

[pengillian101]

6. Indeed!

Good guess. :hi:

[loveable liberal]

9. The Hibbing Ice Arena was just as exciting as Dylans ...

childhood home. Hibbing is a beautiful town also! We made sure we stopped by all the hockey arenas in each town as we are a hockey family.

[loveable liberal]

8. Gorgeous country. I never knew!!!

Felt a little wiggy with no structures for miles, but I suppose folk get used to that. Stopped in Big Falls also; nice little town.

[loveable liberal]

7. Wife camps in the comfort of a hotel room.

... and a happy wife means a happy marriage, yes?

[geardaddy]

3. We'll have to check those out.

Have you been to Temperance River SP? Awesome camp spot.

[loveable liberal]

10. We did stop by the Temperence river and did a bit of hiking.

Each and every State Park we stopped at was well maintained, green, and clean. I have renewed pride in saying I am from Minnesota. Now if we can take a chamber of the legislature I think we can get things back on track.

[rurallib]

11. My daughter moved to the TC area a year ago

Oh my you folks have a lovely state. Almost depressing coming back into Iowa.
And we have custody of Bachmann and Pawlenty for the next 6 months. Yuckkkkk