The peak tourist season is quickly approaching and the Grand Marais area is getting busier by the minute. I used to get upset when the one and only stoplight turned red while I was driving through town, but now I am stopping multiple times for pedestrians who are crossing Highway 61 at the designated crosswalks.
It may sound like I am upset about the crossings, but I am not. The amount of traffic running Highway 61 is astounding during the summer months and the pedestrians are rarely given a safe chance to cross the street. Grand Marais is a friendly pedestrian town, since parking is sometimes difficult, and most of the attractions are congested into a single strip we call downtown. Biking and walking are enjoyable ways to navigate the city streets, at a pace that lends itself to the area.
Recognition for being the coolest city in the nation, or world, or universe, or whatever certainly boosted the amount of people we are seeing visit Grand Marais, and it would be chaotic for them to drive around town in vehicles. Grand Marais is a “park and walk” type of community that should be accommodating pedestrians, and encouraging them to continue walking the streets while visiting the local shops and sites.
The bright orange flags are a big help for motorists since it is sometimes hard to determine if people are prepared to cross the street, or if they are simply loitering curbside. There are a lot of distractions while driving through our crowded small town, and it is nice to see the city respond with a smart system to protect the walkers from the easily distracted highway traffic.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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