View of Red Wing Station from the St. James Hotel

One of the unique (and tiniest) train stations we have visited in our U. S. travels is the small one at Red Wing, Minnesota. We have been there several times as we have family who live in Hastings, Minnesota, that is located further up the Mississippi River. We arrived there by catching AMTRAK’s Northwest “Empire Builder” from Chicago that travels along major portions of the route traveled by Lewis and Clark as it winds its way along the Pacific Northwest.

Inside Red Wing Train Station

We detrain at Red Wing and see the Mississippi River on one side and walk a few yards up the hill to the St. James Hotel, a Victorian-era and decorated hotel. With its four-poster beds and vintage furniture, the hotel has two restaurants and amazing views from its front rooms of the Mississippi River and its boat traffic. Along the river is also a walking path and park, and on the other side, silos that are filled with grain for shipping. The town of Red Wing is beautiful, quaint and without the crowds, and a delight to walk through on a warm evening.

We are looking forward to returning to Red Wing.

For More Information:

*St. James Hotel:

http://www.st-james-hotel.com/stjames/index.html

*AMTRAK’S “Empire Builder”

www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245653623

*Red Wing, Minnesota -

www.red-wing.org/

Ice Skating

If you cannot go to a warmer climate in the winter, why not just layer it up in warm clothes and visit your local state parks? In addition to biking and walking on the paved path (unless it is snow-ice covered) that circumvents Locust Lake State Park (Schuylkill County) in Pennsylvania, you can also ice skate or go ice fishing.

Ice Fishing

Or you can hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe along the walking paths in Tuscarora State Park (Schuylkill County) in Pennsylvania. This is a park that permits hunting, so check the hunting season dates before you go. You never know what wild animals or birds you might see. For photographers, the winter scenes and skies offer opportunities for award-winning pictures.

These are free or relatively inexpensive outdoor activities that you and your family can enjoy in our country’s parks. Shut down your computer; leave your cell phone at home and just go.

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We crossed over Lake Superior, from Superior, Wisconsin, into Duluth, Minnesota. It was a stunning view with the morning sun on the ships on the lake’s bay and the city of Duluth built on the side of the hill rising from Lake Superior.

From Duluth, we drove primarily two-lane roads in the Northwest section of Minnesota, driving through small towns surrounded with farm fields filled with potatoes and other crops. Many shops had signs selling wild rice from the surrounding wet areas.

Minnesota flowering shrub at a rest stop.

We arrived at Thumper Pond in the afternoon, winding our way through its golf course, trails and stands of pines. My nephew and his bride were to be married on the dock of a nearby lake the next day, in front of the cabin owned by the bride’s parents. Thumper Pond’s rooms and restaurant were excellent. Breakfast was tasty and the wait staff very friendly. Our room was on the bottom floor where we saw some of the guests had brought their pets to stay overnight with them.

Outside Thumper Pond Lodge

Besides the wedding and the following celebration that was held at Thumper Pond’s reception room, my favorite part of staying at Thumper Pond was their indoor swimming pool. It had two, yes two, enclosed water tubes that “emptied” into the swimming area. I loved going down the tubes with my brother’s two granddaughters. They pushed buttons at the top of the water slide tubes that played music and flashed lights as we slid down into the heated pool’s water.

The next day of the wedding, it was cloudy with a cold, strong wind. The bride’s veil streamed out straight behind her in the 30 mph “breezes” off the lake, but I could not see any of her attendants shivering, even though they wore strapless gowns! Minnesota residents are used to cold weather. The reception followed at Thumper Pond with its delicious food and music.

It was a memorable occasion, held at a beautiful scenic resort.

For more information, visit

http://www.thumperpond.com/

Rest stop view at Lake Michigan

Rest stops line the shore line of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior to the north. I also liked the assorted gift and antique shops like “Injun Joe’s Tourist Trap.” Fresh “pasties” were advertised at little shops along the way, too. According to the site www.upper-peninsula-now.com/pasties.html, pasties are assorted meats and vegetables baked in pie crusts, and were a Cornish (England) food brought over by miners who worked at the copper and iron mines located on the peninsula.

Be watchful of wildlife that crosses the highways, like the coyote who ran across the highway in front of our car; and a young moose that almost did. www.michiganuptravel.com/2010/12/wildlife-of-the-upper-peninsula-mi/

We drove across the peninsula and then into Wisconsin where stopped for the night at a Holiday Inn Express, in Superior. We ate dinner in a restaurant that overlooked a beautiful bay that leads to Lake Superior shore off Duluth, Minnesota. We plan to return for a vacation exploring many more areas of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including some of the iron mine tours, lighthouses, and maritime museums.

Dawn in Superior, Wisconsin

For more information

www.exploringthenorth.com/mich/mich.html

Morning View of the Mackinac Bridge

To attend my nephew’s wedding in Minnesota we chose to drive up the state of Michigan, using US 23 and onto I-75. We stopped overnight in Mackinaw City that lies on the tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. A cold front blew in that afternoon we arrived, and it was a cold wind blowing off the nearby lakes as we walked into town in search of a restaurant. The Village of Mackinaw City was almost deserted, as it was September and the off-season; but I could imagine it being very crowded in the tourist season with all the available parking spots; and the many gift and fudge shops. It reminded me of an empty, New Hope, Pennsylvania, though seldom is New Hope “empty.” From the shops, people can walk to the ferries that take them to Mackinac Island and other offshore islands.

Not finding any place to eat, we shivered as we hurried back to Darrow’s, a small restaurant across from our Holiday Inn Express. We did not stop there previously because it was packed with people from a bus tour group who were also staying at our motel. The restaurant was still busy; but when you are cold and hungry, you wait, and we did. We were surprised, though, that their service was fast, professional, and the fish I had was delicious. After our meal, we took a walk in the early evening along the shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron (one on each side of the Mackinac Bridge).

After the bus crowd had eaten and departed the next morning, we enjoyed our motel’s extensive complimentary breakfast. Afterwards, we took a walk in the 40 mph winds under the Mackinac Bridge and past the entrance to a historic fort. The lakes had large, rolling waves with white caps beneath the clear blue sky. In nicer weather you can take the stroll along the lakes using the  Mackinaw City Historical Pathway Map and Guide. After leaving our motel, we drove onto I-75 North, over the Mackinac Bridge that opened to traffic in 1957. It only cost us a $1.75. Every Labor Day, traffic is closed on two lanes of the bridge for people to walk across for the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk across its five mile length! Currently, the Mackinac Bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world.
Our motel staff said sometimes the bridge is closed if the winds are too strong or the weather too bad; but the bridge was open for us, despite the weather. We followed a truck with a trailer, going only about 20 mph. That gave us time to enjoy the beautiful view of the bridge’s tower, the islands in the distance, and the shore line of the Upper Michigan Peninsula ahead that we would drive across its entire width to reach Wisconsin and eventually into Minnesota. We definitely will return again to Mackinaw City** to stay longer so we can further explore its attractions and the nearby islands.

**FYI, Mackinac and Mackinaw are both pronounced as Mackin”aw”.
For more information: http://mackinawcity.org/; http://www.mackinacbridge.org/

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Penn's Cave Legend (just before cave's entrance)

We purchased tickets at Penn’s Cave gift shop that offered a full range of T-shirts, hoodies, jewelry, nature books, and more. In one corner was the “Cave Cafe,” a small dining area where tourists could purchase a light lunch. We chose to tour the underground cave only, instead of purchasing the combination cave-wildlife tour package.

Penn's Cave Gift Shop

The wildlife tour is a 90 minute bus tour of the wildlife living there such as bats, bears, bison, and other native animals. This tour ends at the Wildlife Adventure Museum, featuring South African animals. We came primarily to tour the cave.
When it was our turn for the cave tour, we walked out the gift shop and down the paved path and steps to wait our turn for the next long boat to take us through the cave. Each boat held approximately 20 people, and was driven by individual guides.

Penn's Cave boat with tourists

Other boats were going and coming. It was cold and damp inside the cave, but the rock formations were well worth the trip. Our guide pointed out unique formations, as well as the figures that resembled landmarks like the “Statue of Liberty.” The guides were well-informed about the history of the cave and its geology.

One of Penn's Cave formations

Our boat exited out of the cave and turned around in the adjoining pond, and returned again through the cave. The ride lasted approximately an hour. Young children appeared to enjoy the tour, fascinated by the lighted cave walls, “rooms,” and ceilings, asking many questions. Even though it was summer, wearing sweaters and rain gear kept us dry and comfortable.

Exiting Penn's Cave to turn around in the nearby pond

We exited through the gift shop (like many attractions like to do to encourage visitors’ to purchase the assorted souvenirs) and traveled for lunch at a nearby restaurant. There are plenty of places to picnic, but the weather was not suitable. It was a fun tour and I would recommend it to others.
For more information, visit http://pennscave.com/

Where to find these wild berries? You can ask local residents where they go for picking; or ask permission to pick these berries on their property if they own some woods or fields (you can offer to pick some for them). Some county and state park lands also have these berries. Check with the park rangers for permission and if you need a permit to pick berries.

Wild Blackberries

Some cautions:
*Know the berry you are picking. Ask a naturalist or biologist to identify any berry you plan to pick if you are unsure what it is, to avoid accidental poisoning.
*Beware of wasps, spiders, and oh, yes, black bears who also love to eat these berries.
*Dress appropriately wearing boots, long pants, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves to protect yourself from the sun and thorns. Use a non-toxic insect spray and sun screen.  I also use a long-handled tool that has a hook on the end, and is handy to grab high canes and branches. My tool was a hand weed-switcher that my son accidentally broke while trimming our mountain path. Its blade broke but left a two inch part that nicely pulls berry branches within my reach to pick ripe berries.

My blackberry-picking tools

*Other items I carry are a penknife, hand pruners, pepper spray (just in case), and a hand-held transceiver to stay in touch with other berry-pickers.
After picking my berries, I wash and then freeze them to make my jam or jelly later when it is cooler in the season and I have more time.
Once you have tasted the wild jams and jellies, you will find the commercial grown ones, “tame” in taste comparison. They make great gifts and are beautiful as their shades of reds and purples show through the glass jelly jars. Happy berry-picking!

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The fair hosts horse shows, truck pulls, tractors displays, choir competitions, agricultural displays, rides, free entertainment, an agriculture museum and more. This year’s entertainment was the British group, “Paul Revere and the Raiders.”

Outside the Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum

We ate some delicious food there; and then on the way back, we stopped for the first time at the Summit View Restaurant & Pub. The restaurant’s views were amazing, and the food was excellent.

I would also recommend you attend the Bloomsburg Fair, to be held Sept. 24, 2011 to Oct. 1, 2011. It is stated this fair is the “…largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania.” It is just off Rte. 80 in Columbia County. It has great food, ongoing competitions in various areas, craft and photography buildings, agricultural and horticultural displays, and oh, yes, more food! Our favorite was a booth with apple dumplings and ice cream!

While the weather is still warm and a good time to be outside and enjoy your county’s offerings, visit a fair soon. Fairs continue through the summer and into the fall, so I suggest you visit your favorite ones, and also some others in Pennsylvania counties.

Quilters at the Schuylkill County Fair

*www.schuylkillfair.com/
*www.summitviewrestaurant.com/pages/Pictures.php
*visitPA.com/fairs
*www.bloomsburgfair.com/
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            After visiting the No. 9 Mine in Lansford, Pennsylvania, we wanted to visit the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train located in Ashland. From PA Rte. 309 N, we followed the winding, two-lane Rte. 54 W through Hometown, Barnesville, Mahanoy City, and other small Pennsylvania towns, of which many were built to provide housing for the anthracite coal miners and their families. As we drove up Ashland’s hill lined with the wood row homes, we saw a small sign for the coal mine, turned left and followed the road up to the stone parking lot. There was a gift shop in which we purchased our tickets for the coal mine tour; and also for a later ride outside the mine, aboard the “Lokie Henry Clay” steam locomotive that once hauled mine cars filled with tons of black “diamonds.” The Gift Shop offers coal-related novelties, books, and a display of mining memorabilia.

We waited outside the mine tunnel entrance for our turn to ride on the mine cars powered by electric motors. As with our tour at the No. 9 Mine, we dressed with jackets and hats as it is just as cold and wet as it was in that mine. The Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine opened in the late 19^th Century and ceased operating in 1931, as electricity decreased the demand for coal.

When it was our turn for the tour, our mine cars clacked and clamored along the tracks inside the mine, as we passed the wet rock walls, scarred by the tools that dug out the coal. When our mine car train stopped, we got out to follow our guide (most of the guides are experienced miners) who described early mining techniques and stories about the miners. They pointed out the shafts that rose above wooden ladders that miners climbed and chiseled away the coal from a vein to drop into the cars below them. As we looked behind us, we also saw an occasional little brown bat flying in and around the tunnel, though in mining times, rats also infested the mines.

After the tour of the mine, we boarded the “John Henry,” that pulled us along the side of the Mahanoy Mountain. We also learned about the later form of coal mining, strip mining that mainly replaced deep hole mining. We saw a typical “bootleg” hole where men dug out coal on their own to sell; and could see the town of Ashland below us. Afterwards, we enjoyed shopping for some unique items in the gift shop. Nearby is a park to which you can walk and have a picnic lunch. We also toured the Pennsylvania Museum of Anthracite Mining, which is located only 100 yards from Pioneer Tunnel.

"Henry Clay" Steam Train

As my grandfather was a WWI veteran and a miner, I gained a little appreciation of the hard work these men did, day in and day out, to make a living. He, like many miners, did develop “black lung,” disease” or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) from his exposure to coal mine dust (he was also gassed in WWI battles). There are other coal mining regions in the U. S., but many of Europe’s immigrants who came to this region in the last two centuries, worked these mines and contributed their customs to the area that created the rich heritage it is today for their descendants and visitors to this area.

Plan a trip to coincide with the annual Pioneer Day Celebration held every third Saturday in August to enjoy the fun activities and sample the ethnic foods like haluski, halupi, pierogies, sausage sandwiches and other delicious foods. This year the celebration will be on August 20^th.

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train, 19^th & Oak Sts., Ashland, PA 17921 www.pioneertunnel.com/

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Entering No. 9 Mine

We paid for our tickets and sat on benches, waiting for the previous tour to exit the mine in a train with open yellow, metal cars. When it was our turn, we took our place in one of the coal cars and with a noisy and bump clatter of the train’s cars rolling along the tracks, entered the mine, going some 1600 feet into the mountainside. Once inside, we exited the train’s cars and went on a guided walking tour. Visitors to other mines know to take sweaters in the summer, because inside these coal region mines, temperatures in the cool fifties and the air is damp from the water that constantly drips down the mine’s sides.

Our tour guides were retired miners themselves and shared stories and the history of the mine as we followed along. They showed us the path the mules took to carry the coal and a miner’s hospital carved into the side of the mountain. At one point in the tour, our guides turned off the lights to demonstrate just how dark it would be. They told about mine rats (there is a fake one on a wall) and bats that came down the shafts. You could tell our guides loved their mine and were proud of its history and to be part of it.

No. 9 Mine "Rat"

Afterwards, we visited the mine’s museum filled with tools, hats with oil lamps and other related  items used by miners of anthracite coal. Our granddaughter who was in fourth grade at the time loved the tour and the museum so much that she took brochures to give  to her school principal, so her class might come here on a field trip.

No.9 Mine Museum

Check the web site for tour times and events held here like their Annual Coal Miners Heritage Festival. If you go, bring a sweater and a packed lunch to eat on the outside picnic tables.

www.no.9mine.com

(click on photos for larger view; guest bloggers welcome)

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