Duluth or bust!

It was a perfect winter day in the Minnesota Northwoods yesterday when we were in Duluth for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. There were mushers from Minnesota, Michigan, California, New Hampshire, Montana, Canada and New Zealand, and 17 sleds left on a 390 mile, 3-day marathon race and as well as another 37 for a mid-distance race that will take the mushers and dogs to the Canadian border and back to Duluth. We were fortunate [and cold] to watch at the starting line.

The most fun is wandering around the dog area to meet the dogs before they are harnessed to their sleds. It is full of cold, yapping huskies anxious to get going. Once they are hooked to the sled they stop barking completely becoming four legged athletes in their zone.

I saw lots of snippets of the color red yesterday, my favorite being the dog harnesses themselves. The Canadian flag flew proudly atop one musher's truck and some of the dogs sported red collars. Dave and I have promised each other as long as we can we'll make the last weekend in January a date in Duluth, even if it does make us lonesome for our dear, old Pashka.

More red can be seen at Mary's MeMe, Ruby Tuesday.

Ely: que quam chep**

**in Chippewa [Objibwa] means "land of the berries"
When we visit the Iron Range in northeast Minnesota we stay in Ely where this mural was painted on an old building on a side street. It honors the iron ore miners from the four mines in that area. Taken from the sidewalk across the street, a shadow ironically is cast on the faces of the miners' families. The miner's hat is typically red as is the ore found in this area. Ely, which sits at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Region, has been hard hit by our economic decline; last trip there we found several more empty buildings.
See more red at Mary's meme Ruby Tuesday.

you've been invited

to see more family photos from our trip to Lake Superior's North Shore and Gooseberry Falls. Enjoy!
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SkyWatch Friday: Duluth or bust!

On a recent trip north towards Duluth, we spent time soaking in this dreamy view of the north shore of Lake Superior from Gooseberry Falls. The hazy horizon blended with the water for peaceful ethereal view and an abundance of blue.
For more sky views, visit SkyWatch Friday.