4 Days in Duluth and Minnesota’s North Shore

Every August, my family takes a short vacation. We debated staying home this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the need to get out of KC and the strong desire for a change of scenery was too powerful. For us, an airplane trip was out of the question, so we scouted around for a new-to-us destination that was close-ish to home. We chose Duluth, MN, and the North Shore, about an 8-hour drive straight up I-35.

There are resorts and lodges tucked all over the area, By the time we decided to road trip, most were booked or didn’t have the space we wanted. So, we stayed at the Residence Inn in Duluth, which was perfect for us. Plenty of space, a full kitchen and a grocery store right next door.

We spent the first three days exploring the North Shore, which means we did a lot of driving up 61, a mostly two-lane road. It was a commitment, but worth it. The view was phenomenal, with Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountain Range as a constant backdrop.

Day 1: Grand Portage, MN

Grand Portage is at the Canadian border, about a 3-hour drive from Duluth. When we went, the border was closed to American, because of COVID-19, but we took a photo for posterity. At least the girls can say they’ve seen another country. Ha!

We toured a reconstructed Ojibwe Village and trading post, which were part of the Grand Portage National Monument. 

120-Foot Waterfall at Grand Portage State Park

Then we headed to Grand Portage State Park for a hike to the 120-foot waterfall. Well worth the long drive.

Drury Lane Bookstore

On our way back west, we stopped in Grand Marais, a sweet tourist town on the coast, with a beautiful harbor. We stopped in Drury Lane Books (adorable), the Ben Franklin/Joynes Department Store and a few other shops. We grabbed takeout from Blue Water Cafe, enjoyed our meal harborside,
then walked the Coast Guard wall out to the lighthouse. 

Day 2: Two Harbors, MN

We started at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, which is about an hour’s drive from Duluth. The main event is the Split Rock Lighthouse, which sits nearly 130 feet atop a cliff, warning boats of the deadly rocks hidden below the water. The view looking up from the shore below and the view looking out from the top of the cliff are amazing. We couldn’t tour the inside of the lighthouse or the lightkeepers’ cottages because of COVID, but the grounds were open and beautiful. Definitely add this stop to your road trip.

Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, MN

Next, we traveled to Gooseberry Falls State Park for a little hiking. We hiked the Fifth Falls Trail, which was sparsely traveled, sometimes rugged, sometimes easy, very scenic and fun. The waterfalls and cascades were so peaceful and beautiful.

Next, we stopped in Two Harbors, MN, where we walked the waterfront, enjoyed ice cream from Louise’s Place, and had a blast traversing the rocks around the Two Harbors Lighthouse. We heard so many great things about Betty’s Pies & Cobblers and Castle Danger Brewery but didn’t have the time to stop by. If the cars in Betty’s parking lot and line out side the brewery are any indication, these are don’t miss destinations.

To end the day, we drove to Superior, WI, just across the lake. We stopped in a video game shop, walked the downtown area, which is very old school, stopped in an antique story and picked up dinner from Kosta’s Gyro’s.

Day 3: Lutsen, MN

Alpine Slide, Lutsen, MN

We headed back east on 61 Hwy to Lutsen, which is about two hours from Duluth. A little bit off the highway is Lutsen Mountains, a beautiful ski resort. In the summer, it’s a tucked away respite with an alpine slide and a gondola that takes you to the top of Moose Mountain, where you can relax at The Summit Chalet and take in breathtaking view of Lake Superior and the surrounding area.

On our way back, we stopped at Palisade Head Cliff for another breathtaking view of Lake Superior. It’s an amazing rock formation and not for the faint of heart or people who are afraid of heights. Then we headed into downtown Duluth. Our first stop was the Great Lakes Aquarium. Another highly recommended stop, especially if you have younger kids. We walked part of the waterfront, saw the Aerial Lift Bridge and scouted out Canal Park.

Day 4: Duluth, MN

Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, MN

Our first stop was Glensheen Mansion, which is a must see. I recommended splurging for the whole house tour. It’s self-guided and you get to see the attic! The ongoing restoration is impressive and meticulous. But if you just have a little bit of time, the shortened tour and the grounds would be almost as satisfying. To add to the ambiance, the wealthy home owner, Elisabeth Congdon, and her nurse were murdered in the home in the 1970s. But that’s not mentioned on the tour. Do a little digging; it’s a fascinating story.

After the mansion tour, we explored Canal Park, picked up some souvenirs, and then headed to Love Creamery for a sweet treat. The creamery is located in a really cute, apparently up and coming part of Duluth with a main street lined with trendy restaurants, shops, some breweries and distilleries.

This quick getaway and change of scenery was just what our family needed right now. How about you? Any recent road trips to share?

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing … Keep It Real.

4 Must-Read Enewsletters for Your Inbox

It's been a different few weeks, hasn't it? I'm still processing all the changes that have taken place so quickly. 

I move from feeling OK to feeling overwhelmed, anxious, scared or angry. Sometimes all those feelings happen in a span of a few minutes. And, I'm tired of talking about COVID-19, and thinking about it, hearing about it and writing about it (because of work). 

So, I'm offering a few diversions in the form of four must-read enewsletters. I always look forward to seeing them in my Inbox. They make me laugh, think and learn. I read every single issue of each one. Give them a try!  

The Girlfriend. This weekly newsletter by AARP  (yes, THAT AARP) is a fun little gem. If you are a woman of a certain age (40+), you need this girlfriend in your life. It's like the writers read my mind and know exactly what questions I have or what I'm interested in. 

The Art of Noticing. I wrote about Rob Walker's book here. The newsletter arrives when inspiration strikes Rob, or when his time allows. He describes is as "news and tips and suggestions and inspiration for building your attention muscles, and that's exactly what it does. It's an extension of his book, The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday.

Girls Night In - This sweet, calming newsletter is geared toward Millennials, but anyone who's idea of a good time is cozying up with a good book, or a few close friends and creative ways to relax will fall in love with it. Alisha Ramos found the Girls Night In Club in 2017. With our current situation, staying in has become a necessity instead of a lovely luxury. I admire Alisha for how well she is navigating her readers through this strange twist of fate. 

Ellevest Magazine - This newsletter (they call it a magazine) from Ellevest, a female-owned investing firm, focuses on women and their money. Their advice is timely and easy to read and understand. I'm learning so much about finance. Full disclosure: Earlier this year, I moved my investments to Ellevest. They didn't ask me to promote their newsletter or services. I am just so impressed with this firm and how they communicate, I had to share. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and safe!).

Tuning Into Podcasts

For the longest time, I shunned podcasts. I tried a few over the years but could never find one I could really get sink my ears into. I have a tough time with auditory-based stuff, mainly because of the narrator. If they aren't engaging, I just can't do it. I'm super picky about the voices that fill my head space. On top of that quirk, I was technologically deficient. Up until last spring, I drove a 2005 Escape that had a kickin' 6-disc CD changer but no Bluetooth capabilities. Plus, I have an putz commute (15 minutes on a slow traffic day), so I'm not in the car long enough to commit to a Sonic Slush, let alone a droning podcast.

But I upgraded my car last year to a spaceship (feels like it to me, anyway) that talks to me, and one of my girls started her own (short-lived) podcast series, so I decided to give podcasts another listen. Turns out, I kinda sorta like 'em. Here's what's on my list. 

Favorite Podcasts
Dolly Parton's America - so interesting and well done! 
Second Life  - I LOVE THIS!

On My Listen List
Over My Dead Body
Unsolved Murders: The True Crime Stories
MASTERPIECE Studio 

Do you enjoy podcasts? If so, please share your favorites in the comments. I'm always looking for great content. 

Until then ... wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

2020 Goals: Why I Took a Step Back

I mentioned in my previous post that I was working on establishing some goals for 2020, and I hoped to share them soon. It's time! 

My list is MUCH shorter than it has been in previous years. In 2018, I decided to follow Gretchen Rubin's lead and define 18 goals for 2018. Last year, I wrote 19 goals for 2019 (I wasn't blogging much, so I didn't post them). I had no problem coming up with different things I wanted to accomplish, but I wasn't super successful in getting them done. 

So, I took a step back. Ideal Reality vs. Real Reality. I wrote just eight goals for 2020. 

1. Figure out my digestive health. I won't go into much detail (you're welcome!), but something's not quite right. To help me reach the goal, I committed to keeping a food journal and being more mindful of portions. Progress: I tracked my food every day in January, but II wasn't very mindful of how much I was eating. Baby steps, right? 

2. Create a online portfolio. Progress: Done! For someone who doesn't have design skills, I think I did a pretty good job. A digital portfolio is something I've wanted to do for a while, and I'm thrilled to mark it off the list. 

3. Determine the next step in my career (related to Goal No. 2). I'm not 100% sure, but it may be time for a change. Progress: Early stages of soul searching

4. Volunteer for at least one literacy-related event. I'm am passionate about literacy and making sure everyone has access to the tools they need to learn how to read, especially kiddos. I had to cool that passion for a few years. I'm looking into getting involved with Reach Out and Read Kansas City. Progress: They're hosting a 5K fundraiser in April, and I'm thinking about signing up. 

5. Plan a someday trip to Bali. Lounging in a hut over the ocean in an exotic location is on my bucket list. 

6. Call or see Rachelle at least one time a month. Rachelle's my best friend. We've known each other since Ms. Gibler's 4th Grade class ... 40 years ago. She lives on the other side of state. We're good at staying in touch by text, but we're both looking to strengthen our bond a bit this year. Progress: We talked on the phone in January and have a date set to meet up in February. Yay!

7. Read 31 books. Last year, I read 30, so I upped it by one this year. Progress: Two down, three in progress. Connect with me on Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/. 

8. Go to one movie alone every month. I used to love going to the movies by myself, so I'm excited about this goal. In January, I saw Jo Jo Rabbit. I didn't realize it was an Oscar-nominated film until after. I just picked one that sounded good. I'd recommend it. I have February's picket out: Downhill. The trailer looked good; the reviews are meh. I'll let you know what I thought. 

There you have it! Do you set goals? Any you want to share? Please leave a note in the comments!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

10 Books for Your 2020 Reading List

Happy New Year! I hope the first few weeks of 2020 have been full of hope, fresh perspective, kindness, love and curiosity. 

I'm still swirling around ideas of what I want to accomplish this year. So many things! But, I want to really narrow down the list. I'll share as soon as it's ready. Hopefully, that's soon. 

One goal I set last year was to read at least 30 books. I added No. 31 to the list on December 30, just making my deadline. I do the Goodreads Reading Challenge. It is so easy to track my reading there. If you use Goodreads, look me up!

I enjoyed each book I read for various reasons, but here are my top 10 faves, in no particular order, in case you're looking for something new, different, serious, sad or fun. 

1. The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin
2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
3. A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan
4. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (Flavia de Luce #8) by Alan Bradley
5. The Grave's a Fine  and Private Place (Flavia de Luce #9) by Alan Bradley
6. Becoming by Michelle Obama
7. Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future by Pete Buttigieg
8. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
9. The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday by Rob Walker
10. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I'd love to hear about what you're reading. Drop a note in the comments!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.