Faithful readers were introduced to 61 Gems, a short book of introductions to things to see and do on our North Shore, the North Coast of the United States. We covered Stoney Point, Buchanan Settlement, and the Trail of Whispering Giants. Here are some more, lesser-known gems of interest. Old Pump House at Lakewood. Where Duluth still gets all its... READ MORE >
When I saw it, our other grandmother, Joanne, lent me a little book that was alternately despairing and hopeful for me. 61 Gems on Highway 61 (Adventure Publications, Cambridge, MN, 2009, 2018) made me fear that a book of these “Wondering 61” columns has already been written, and there would be no market for a similar little book. Then I... READ MORE >
Grand Marais is a good place to live. So is the whole North Shore of Lake Superior, the North Coast of our United States of America. The evidence: Sunday last, I was privileged to attend a joint service of the First Congregational and Spirit of the Wilderness Churches. The focus of that service and the next Sunday on Maple Hill... READ MORE >
In recent weeks, brother columnist Rob Perez has defamed both golf and pickleball. He asserted that golf desecrated nature and that pickleball was a board game masking as exercise. His friend and North Shore neighbor, Greg Kachinsky, was so mad that he went out and played both games on the same day. So there, Rob! Now we discover that Rob... READ MORE >
WARNING: This column has some relation to Highway 61, lifeblood of our lives and economy. First, the author lives here as do about five thousand women and men whose lives are better for the efforts of Steinem and other feminists, men and women. Second, Steinem brought her message to Duluth in 1981; that is the start of our Highway. Third... READ MORE >
Rob Perez wrote a response to my recent columns. I have edited it for length as well as reducing the number of insults to the game of royalty. Italics are “Wondering 61’s” response: For those who do not read these pages cover to cover with a hyperthymesia like recall, in response to a column I wrote that mocked the game... READ MORE >
Today I am fixated on two places you can stay in Grand Marais that have unusual names. Consider the Mangy Moose and the Basecamp Bungalows. Most people think that mange is a downer, but that Moose stays occupied all summer. And Basecamp makes me think of climbing in the Himalayas. Both are no frills places with great locations and get... READ MORE >
Faithful readers of two of these columns have learned more about the Encampment Forest Association than most people ever will. A friendly email disclosed I had a distant, but interesting, relative living there. We had a good talk and lunch, sharing family and personal histories. We will likely do it again. So, what did we learn? First, the EFA is... READ MORE >
I spent 14 years as the last country judge in Hennepin County—during several years I handled family, criminal, and civil case calendars all at once. Most judges do just criminal, just family, or a combination of civil and criminal. Those were the favorite years of my favorite job. Imagine having a deputy with a pistol and handcuffs nearby to assist... READ MORE >
The last column introduced faithful readers to Scientific and Natural Areas operated by the state’s Department of Natural Resources in the Arrowhead. Now we look at some detail on the ones nearest Highway 61. Less Wondering may result. Before we do that, consider this already broken news: WTIP reports that “Cook County is one step closer to having another state... READ MORE >
