Sunday, August 29, 2010

DULUTH TO CROOKSTON, MINNESOTA

We very rarely eat breakfast out, but I wanted to make our last morning in Duluth last as long as I could.  In this endeavor, Amazing Grace restaurant was the perfect accomplice – the service was so slow we considered leaving money to pay for our beverages on the table and walking out.  When it came, breakfast was mediocre, so our recommendation is to pass on meals here but purchase delicious bread from their bakery.  The muffins and scones in the bakery case looked yummy, too.

First in line to cross the bridge. Finally released from the restaurant, we took our last walk on the shore of Lake Superior (sad face) and headed home.  Thirty minutes later we pulled out of the park, on to the main road – just as the alarm sounded on the Aerial Lift Bridge.  As the gates clanged down in front of us, we saw a big freighter far out in the lake chugging slowly toward the channel.  That means a minimum 20 minute stop, so Odel shut down the engine while I started the generator, turned on the air conditioners and started water heating in the electric teakettle to make a pitcher of iced tea for the day’s drive.  We had THE front row seat for one last freighter viewing.  :)

Twenty-five minutes later, the bridge span lowered, the arms went up, and we drove, drove, drove, 240 miles to Crookston, 30 miles shy of the MN/ND border.  For us, that’s a long driving day, 4 1/2 hours of sitting-still-in-our-seats time.  I know from other RV’ers blogs that we are wimps when it comes to travel – but I am so ready to get off my heinie after 4 hours!

Heading West on Hwy 2, smashing bugs. By the time we pulled into little Central Park Campground (click here to read our review and see photos), I felt that Scoopy should be renamed the Grim Reaper.  Insects along Hwy 2, FEAR US!  Dragonflies.  Butterflies.  Bees.  Big, hard-shelled insects that sound like a rock but look like an egg yolk smashed on the windshield.  It was noisy, it was gross, and it was a BIG MESS when we arrived.

We had a pleasant walk through deserted Crookston this morning before we turned the key and headed out.  Half an hour later we crossed into North Dakota.  Tonight, Minot.  Yippee!  :)

8 comments:

  1. As a habit, we try to stay to 250 miles a day, when traveling. By the time you close up and get ready to move, drive, and then set-up again, it makes for a pretty long and tiring day.

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  2. I love to watch the Great Lakes freighters, but not if they are holding me up for 20 minutes.

    On those longer drives, we like to stop every two/three hours and relax a bit. After all that is one of the great things about traveling in an RV.

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  3. I wonder if any of the other people waiting for the freighter were able to make tea while they waited?

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  4. So sorry your experience at Amazing Grace was so bad, we have only had good experiences there. The service sometimes was a little slow but the food was great when we were there. Wish it had been the same for you.

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  5. I would have to agree that I get annoyed at long waits. I am smiling though because we can get up, go to the bathroom, make lunch, tea, etc. All while waiting for a bridge or what have you. One time I even fed the cats dinner while waiting to cross into Canada. Sometimes I feel guilty that we can get up and move around and everyone else is stuck in their cars. Sometimes ;)

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  6. The wait for the freighter really worked out for me, since I hadn't taken the time to make the tea before we pulled out - plus, I liked seeing yet another big ship. :) Brenda, I'm with you - each time we are stuck in a traffic tie up, I tell Odel how grateful I am to be in the motorhome with my own bathroom, food, beverages, books, A/C and heat - plus up high so we usually can see what's going on. It's almost fun! :)

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  7. Hope you find the cooler weather you were looking for. :)

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  8. Hi you two! We talked to you at your site before parking at Duluth. We were in the 42' Beaver, and parked around back of the office in site #13. What a great place to be on a summer day watching the boat traffic come and go. We came across your blog while researching the UP campgrounds. Thanks for the reports and pictures. Always good to read a report before reserving. Thanks!
    Michelle and Bruce

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