September 16, 2025
Low 58 deg, high 80
We are staying southwest of Duluth in Spirit Lake Marina and RV Park. It’s a great spot really, backed up to the water with electric water and WIFI. It has good showers and a great store. It has antiques, boat supplies, RV supplies, coolers, fishing gear, nets and just cool stuff.
Driving into the city, there is a great road system, except there are orange barrels everywhere, but very people working. Trying to get to the William A. Irvin Ore Museum was nearly impossible. Roads right at the museum were blocked. First we parked on a downtown street, but the meter only allowed one hour parking, then we had to walk back over the railroad tracks, down a hill where we could see a large outside parking lot.
Walking back to the truck, we carefully made four turns to get to that parking lot, which was mostly empty. A pretty, young lady greeted us, asking where we were going. We said the Ore Museum, since we forgot the man’s name who dedicated it. She said we could turn around, drive down the street and park for free. Not wanting to get lost again and getting to a parking garage we couldn’t get into in a truck with a kayak on top, we paid the $10 fee. She said, “OK, then go into the lot, turn left, go around the something building, turn left and you will be close to the museum.” We thanked her and tried to remember what she said.
We parked in front of a movie theater, and in front of us was a huge freight ship. I said, “I think that’s the museum.” Well it was closed and not to reopen until a ghost tour in October. GEEZ!
I’m not a fan of cities in the first place, but this one seemed to be putting up obstacles to keep people out. The other main attraction is the Lift Bridge, which is pretty cool. Instead of a drawbridge that opens to let ships through, it goes straight up. Duluth is a shipping port, and the freight ships are huge, so the bridge needs to go up high.
By now it was lunchtime. Martha’s friend, Kasia, has a sister-in-law who lives here. A text soon came in suggesting we go to Grandma’s because they have a chicken tetrazzini special on Tuesdays that is great. Unfortunately, the outside deck overlooking the bridge was closed, so we sat inside.
We ordered the special. Martha ordered hers with pasta, while I ordered mine on a bed of wild rice. It’s a pretty cool place with all kinds of old pictures and objects hanging on the walls and ceiling. Our meals came. which were big enough for four people. We would have leftovers for two nights.
Walking outside we heard a bell ringing. “The bridge is opening,” Martha said. Three or four fishing boats and two sailboats were lined up on the other side as the bridge began to raise. Whoever controlled it must have known how tall those masts were, rising enough to give adequate clearance, but not a lot more. Then it came gently down and back into place.
Across the bay we could see a freighter being loaded beside huge silos with 8-10 chutes. I would have loved to see that ship come under the bridge, but we had other things to do.
I was sorry to miss the Ore Museum. I have read a little about shipping on the Great Lakes and the Taconite Man statue in Silver Bay. The land around the west end of Lake Superior were huge iron deposits. Most of the high grade ore has been mined, but taconite is a low grade ore that is still mined and processed for making steel.
Then I looked for where the top steel mills are. From Google AI: Gary, Indiana is one, and is on the shores of Lake Michigan. I was surprised to see Mississippi County in Arkansas, considered a leader in low-carbon steel. Middletown Works and Cleveland-Cliffs are in Ohio. Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh, including the Irvin Plant. Other areas are Alabama, Fontana, California, Nucor in Charlotte has facilities across the country, US Steel in Lone Star, Texas and more.
Iron is not the only product mined in Minnesota. There are large deposits of copper and nickel are found in the Duluth complex. Northeast Minnesota has significant deposits of ilmenite, a titanium-rich mineral. Gold and diamonds are present in certain geologic areas. Manganese and zinc are present, but not currently mined.
Duluth-Superior port is the #1 tonnage port on the Great Lakes, handling more than 35 million tons of cargo each year. Grain is the port’s top export, though iron ore and coal make up a larger portion of the total tonnage shipped. (Google AI)
With all this mining and shipping, it is little wonder that Duluth Trading Company became a great clothing company, except it didn’t start here. From Wikipedia: It was originally founded by two brothers, Bob and Dave Fierek, as Portable Products, Inc. in 1989. It focused on those working in construction and a tool accessory known as the “Bucket Boss.” The business grew to incorporate more tool accessories and storage equipment in a catalog under the banner of Portable Products. “As it grew, its headquarters were established in Duluth. by 1993, the catalog was expanded and entitled Duluth Trading Co.”
In the 90’s the company was bought by Fiskars and was sold again in 2000 to Gempler’s, moving to Belleville, Wisconsin. “The company created a successful line of shirts called “Longtail T-Shirts” which were designed to get rid of plumber’s crack. In 2003 it was sold to Lab Safety Supply. Duluth Trading Company’s parent, Duluth Holdings, went public in 2015 and they are still expanding today with plans to build 15 more stores this year.
Next we went grocery shopping at Whole Foods Co-op. Martha asked our waitress at lunch if it was a good store, and she said it was. It is an excellent store, well-organized with a nice staff. Martha asked if it has anything to do with Whole Foods, by Amazon. The lady bagging, who seemed much more than a bag lady, said it was not related and that they have been in business for 50 years. She was quite proud of the store and a good promoter.
“Since 1970, Whole Foods Co-op in Duluth, Minnesota, has been a community hub for quality food. Our Co-op started when an ambitious group of friends started a buying club in the basement of the Chester Creek house to buy and share bulk grains and other organic foods that weren’t available in regular retail stores. Over the past fifty years, the Co-op has grown to over 13,500 Owners, 150+ employees in 2 retail locations, and over $21 million in annual sales.
WHAT SETS US APART?
We pioneered local and organic groceries in the Twin Ports and are known for great customer service, a wide selection of local products, scratch-made deli foods, specialty diet offerings, and a strong commitment to community.”
After putting groceries away, we went to get propane. Martha asked in the camp store for suggestions, and he said Kimmes Oil & Tire in Superior, Wisconsin. It seemed a ways to go for propane, but I’m sure the shop owner knows best. We headed east past our laundry and across a very old, narrow bridge over the St. Louis River. The views down river were so pretty, I wanted to stop and get a better look, but that was not possible.
The state line is the middle of the river. I felt like I was in a different country as we drove a nicely-paved highway lined with grass and forest. Going into the cute town os Superior, we found Kimmes Oil. Around back was the propane fill area, and a nice man came quickly out to fill the tank. He had a large “Believe” tattooed on his arm. While he was filling, Martha went inside to pay $17 for a 30 pound 9-gallon tank!
“Kimmes Oil is a family-owned auto repair shop delivering honest and professional services to Superior, WI. Duluth, MN, and the surrounding areas. Schedule your appointment with us today!” I should have had an oil change there.
Back at the Marina, Martha sat out on the dock in the shade for about an hour and a half. I went out to join her for a while. Two ladies paddled into the cove in their kayaks. I waved, but they were not distracted from their conversation. On their return from the end of the cove, I waved again and got a return wave. “Did you come down from Thunder Bay?” “No, we live here. We are doing a duathelon. We biked this morning and paddling this afternoon.” “No drinking this evening after all that good exercise,” I said. “Well that ain’t going to happen,” she said as she passed behind a boat.
It was a beautiful, sunny day in a pretty spot.
