Stromboli's Rolling Log: Day 52-- US 2 from Bemidji to Duluth (outskirts of)

Today's change of venue was the shortest drive of the entire trip.It was just 135 miles from Bemidji to Duluth. Inasmuch as we really didn't get to downtown Duluth it was a few miles less than that.
The towns of Grand Rapids and Saginaw, (both MN), may sound familiar to Michiganders, but not the towns of Bena, Deer Rver, La Prairie and Cohasset. They are all on US 2. There are many old Germn settlers in this part of the state and the number of Lutheran churches we have seen attests to that. In fact. the German ancestry is the largest in Minnesota , more than the Scandinavians.

The scenery changed some, but mostly that northern fir tree, tamarack, quaking aspen type of woods when there weren't large tracts of marsh. We saw few birds but the Ravens seem to be in the majority of those we did see,

Old Central High School in Grand Rapids MN

One of the many marshes that we drove by .

Old Central School, located in downtown Grand Rapids, was built in 1895 in the Richardson Romanesque style of architecture. The three story building served as an elementary school from 1895 to 1972. A community effort restored the building in 1984 and it now serves as a location for commerce and is listed on the National regster of Historic Places.

Some marshes were not always marshes as seen by the dead trees.

As the distance was shorter we started out from Bemidji at a liesurely 10:00 AM, the skies threatened but never brught forth any rain, They are desperate for rain here, too. The RV Campground (Ogsten's RV Park) is about 12 miles from downtown Duluth on US 53. The commuhity is a bedroom community of Duluth called Hermantown. But even it is about 4 miles from the RV Park. IT s very quiet here with only a few campers with many lakes surrounding the place. Actually it was a gravel pit about 20 years ago and the owners built it from "Scratch".

The main industry along US 2 is timber. There were paper mills, pulp mills, lumber and timber yards all centering around the timber industry. Many trucks with those "boxes" of logs passed us on the highway and in the towns. (They don't "rap them any more with cable.)

As the wind was in the SE -S today we had a crosswind most of the drive. Usually I can keep the rpm's at about 2,000, but when there is a wind it needs to move into more power at about 2500, sometmes 3000 rpm.

To celebrate our arrival in Duluth, we choose Grandma's Restaurant for diner. Here is what we had, and I might add that the "Minnesota Prairie Mary" was excellent. (Prairie Mary is a brand of Vodka used in the Bloody Mary.) Here is our dinner right off the menu. We ar going back at lunch to get theri deliciouS desserts. It will be difficult to choose.

Walleye alla RoSa... houSe SPecialty A generous fillet of cold water Canadian walleye
lightly coated with our special Cajun-seasoned flour and pan-fried in butter until golden and flaky. Served on a bed of savory saffron rice with a side of seasonal vegetables. (Jim)

Grandma’S chicken Pot Pie
Tuck into something comfortable. A steaming full pound of chicken breast pieces and garden vegetables in a thick rich chicken gravy topped with a fresh-baked buttery pie crust topping. (Ruth)

Minnesota Prairie Mary

Our famous bloody mary mix combined with minnesota's own organic prairie vodka steeped in a 3-pepper infusion. garnished with a venison landjager stick, pepper-jack cheese, sport pepper, pickled baby corn, and pickled herring. served with a snit of "Grandma's Ice House brewed ale". (Jim)

So we are settled at a very quiet campground. We love 'em. Tomorrow will be one of three venues depending on how hard it rains. 1. The lakeshore drive (Lake Superior) 2. The Superior Wisconsin shoreline along the waterfront. or 3. The Zim Sit Reserve and wildlife area. A few more photos show the 13th bird that appeared at our feeder in Bemidji, and the road work we encountered on US2.

Ruth was trying her luck at taking pictures at 55 mph.

The 13 birds that came to our feeder were the following: House Finch, Harris' Sparrow, PIne Siskin, White Throated Sparrow, Amercan Robin, Red Wnged Blackbird, Brown Headed Cowbird, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, White Breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow, Black Capped Chickadee, Rose Breasted Grosbeak.