We enjoy touring historic houses, especially at Christmastime when they decorate for the holidays. I also like mysteries, so when I read about the Hubbard House in Mankato, I was enticed because the attraction included a mystery to solve while on tour in the historic home. We decided to go.
Entering the house just before dusk.
The house was built in 1871. R.D. Hubbard not only founded Hubbard Milling Company, one of the largest flower mills in Minnesota, but also the Mankato Linseed Oil Company, and more. We met his “character” in his office in the house and he was interesting.
The Hubbard house is a modest house, in comparison to other historic homes we’ve visited, but it was charming. There were stunning marble fireplaces in several rooms, magnificent woodwork throughout, some stained-glass windows, interesting wallpaper, and wall lamps (after electricity was installed). The Christmas bouquets that adorned the rooms were green and natural and lovely.
There were volunteers dressed in period costumes, representing the Hubbard family members and their staff. There was someone in each room and they were engaging. Guests were encouraged to talk with them and ask questions to try to solve the mystery. So we did, and it was quite fun.
The beautiful blue sky at dust, as we left the house.
In the end we didn’t guess “who done it” (unraveled a knitted scarf – no murder here) correctly…but a maid did do it. This extra touch added a new layer of interest to this Blue Earth County Historical Society’s attraction, and made it’s history more memorable.
The other day as we drove by Memorial Park in Northfield we noticed the city snowploughs sitting in the swimming pool’s parking lot. And then we noticed the blades were painted with vibrant colors and wonderful pictures.
We stopped to look at the interesting paint jobs. Later, I returned to take photos and to read the signs posted next to each machine, but they did not tell me what I wanted to know.
But what I assume is this was an art project done by the students at St. Dominic’s School…in different grade levels. It seems a student created their own work of art by re-creating another artist’s painting. Then the student, or group of students, painted their rendition on the snowplough blades.
The ploughs were on display for a short while at Memorial Park. The signs next to each plough showed a photo of the original painting and told about the original artist. The student’s grade level were on the blades, but no recognition for the student artist(s).
It must have been a fun, new and creative way to paint.
I’m glad I was able to take pictures to show off the beautiful machines that will be clearing our streets in Northfield this winter.
One fine, autumn day we went on a drive enjoying the country landscapes and ended up in Wisconsin. We stopped at the Nelson Creamery for lunch, and then headed to Alma and a small county park there, with an expansive overlook of the Mississippi River. The sun was out, the sky was blue and trees were an array of beautiful fall colors.
Beautiful ivy on Nelson Creamery’s outside patio wall.
While entering Alma a barge was approaching Lock and Dam #4. We decided to park the car and walk to the observation platform to watch the interesting process of moving a barge through the lock.
A view of the front of the barge entering the lock.
It was process. This particular barge, technically called a 9-pack barge because each unit is called a barge and when tied together they are identified as packs. A 9-pack barge is three barges wide and three barges deep. For simplicity in this blog I am using the term “barge” to identify the entire barge pack.
A view of the length of the barge.
The tugboat would not fit in the lock at the same time as the barge so the barge went through first, after disengaging from the tugboat. Once it passed through it was secured to shore while the tugboat went through the lock. The two were reconnected – the barge and the tugboat – and it continued on it’s way again, down the mighty Mississippi River, to the next lock and dam.
Overlook from Buena Vista Park in Alma, WI. The 9-pack barge waiting for the tugboat to pass through the lock.
It was interesting process to watch and it took over an hour. And this is just… one barge… on one section… of one river. This process is repeated several times a day for many months of the year.
Pleasure boats go through the lock and dam too. This boat waited a while before it could pass through.
In the meantime a train came rumbling through town on the railroad tracks and there we were, between the train and the river barge. It seemed like a lot of activity in this small Wisconsin town of 791 people.
It’s interesting to stop and think of all the ways commodities are transported in this country…quickly or slowly…by boats, trains, trucks…mostly unnoticed… and the availability of goods taken for granted.
Looking out over the expansive dark lake, at night Gazing at the full moon rising Reflecting a sparkling path on the water Streaming it’s light directly towards shore Guiding my eyes upward Resembling a cathedral between the trees. Behold, A moon cathedral, God-made, inviting praise for His beautiful creation.
An additional story from the Tribute to the Eagles concert…
I happened to know one of the ushers working at the Tribute to the Eagles concert. During intermission I talked with her for a few minutes. She’s a friend that I have bought fresh eggs from in the past. During our short converesation she said, “I have an unusual question for you”…and proceeded to ask me if I needed any eggs. She had brought two dozen eggs to the concert for someone else to pick up but they didn’t show up. She thought I might be interested….and I was.
I paid her, she kept the eggs in the back room during the concert, and we picked them up when it was over and walked out of the theater with fresh eggs.
Fun music and fresh eggs!
I laugh thinking this could only happen in a small town.
We were blessed to have an opportunity to travel to the north shore a second time this fall, within two weeks of our first trip up to Lake Superior.
Yellow Birch and Aspens contrast with the dark evergreen trees that line the shores of Lake Superior and Highway 61.
The first week up on the north shore we had a great time with family and saw abundant fall colors. Our second trip to the north shore we enjoyed showing off one of our favorite places to our visiting friends from New Hampshire.
The forecast was dismal…rain was predicted for every day we were to be up north. And, on our first day – the drive up – it was misty rain all day.
The beauituful, brick Split Rock Lighthouse.
The Fog Signal Building next to the lighthouse.
But, even so, we stopped at the New Scenic Café for a delicious lunch, and then toured the impressive, historic, and iconic Split Rock Lighthouse, which opened in 1910 and was deactivated in 1969.
Looking out over Lake Superior from the platform of the lighthouse…where is the lake?
The spiral staircase in the Split Rock Lighthouse.
Looking out over the railing we could not see the big lake. It was fogged in and clouded over, but inside we climbed up the spiral staircase to the top to see the special lens. Click here to read more on this fascinating lens.
The special lens in the lighthouse, only used for special occasions now.
We also toured one of the lightkeeper houses. An antique oven was lit while bread dough was rising so it was very cozy in the house as we warmed up in the kitchen on a cold blistery day.
A docent showing off the antique oven in the light keeper’s house.
Even in the rain we stopped a few more places along the way to Tofte, where our friends had rented a condo.
A different view than I normally see of a Lake Superior sunrise.
Much to our surprise we saw the sun rise over Lake Superior the next two mornings. What a treat – what a delight! We were grateful!
The view from the deck of the condo.
For two days it did not rain, and was partly sunny…to mostly sunny.
Looking Up.
We took a another look on Oberg Mountain by hiking the trail for a second time in two weeks. The colors were fuller and even more vibrant than on our first hike two weeks prior.
From the top of Oberg Mountain.
It’s hard to capture the yellow trees closer to the lake which turn color later than the inland trees. Lake Superior is in right hand corner.
We meandered a long time at the top of Oberg, to enjoy God’s spectacular creation and amazing colors.
Another view off Oberg Mountain.
Near the mouth of Temperance River.
Along Temperance River.
We showed our friends a taste of the wonderful north shore: Temperance River, Grand Marais, Naniboujou Lodge, and we spent time on the rocks, had a bonfire, and drove one of the fall color tours on the back roads.
The skies clearing in Grand Marais.
The Grand Marais breakwaters, backlit with sunshine clearing from the west.
It brought us much joy to show off the beauty of Lake Superior. Time went by too quickly.
A stretch of Lake Superior shoreline.
Early in the morning, on the last day, our friends headed north – they were driving back home through Canada. We headed south – back to Northfield, once again basking in the glory of the north shore and grateful for a second look at it this year
Through the years, at various outdoor locations, we’ve noticed signs that recognize the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) for their valuable work in natural history preservation. In the visitor center at Gooseberry Falls State Park we browsed their exhibit about the CCC, and noticed a statue dedicated to the men who served in the CCC on our walk to see the falls.
The statue at Gooseberry Falls State Park, dedicated to the CCC participants.
The CCC was a program President Franklin D. Roosevelt put in place in 1933 and it continued until 1942. It was a very innovative program and it was successful.
The plaque for the statue.
The CCC was a voluntary public work relief program that put young men to work during the depression. Men between ages 18-25, who were single and unemployed, could work for the CCC. It was unskilled manual labor and they had to leave home to find work.
From the display at Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor’s Center.
The men worked for the conservation and development of natural resources in lands owned by the federal, state, and local government. The program employed three million young men over the years it was in operation. I learned they were paid a wage of $30 a month, but $25 had to be sent home to their families. The men were provided with shelter, clothing and food.
A cap issued to the CCC workers, with the division number.
This manual labor helped both the young men and their families. Apparently the young men developed an improved morale, learned skills to make them employable in the future, and improved their physical conditions.1 The money sent home helped their families.
From the display at Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor’s Center.
And…it helped all of us seventy years later. Gary and I often comment on how grateful we are for the people who went before us who had the insight and fortitude to protect the natural lands that we so enjoy today. The CCC was a part of this.
Gooseberry Falls.
It seemed to be a win-win situation during a very depressed time in our nation’s history. I wish some kind of program like it could be put in place these days to help those who are unemployed.
I loved these tree roots…on the path to see Gooseberry Falls.
The small, but permanent, exhibit about the CCC at Gooseberry Falls Visitor Center tells of an interesting piece of our history.
On our way to the north shore we always take the scenic drive instead of the expressway from Duluth to Two Harbors. It may be a slower route, but it is, as the name describes, a scenic route along Lake Superior. About half way between the two towns is a non-descript building that looks more like a house than a store. It was called Practicals, Collectibles & Antiques.
The nondescript building for a store.
We’ve been stopping at this unique store for years. We enjoyed browsing around and visiting with the owner who was always there. He was friendly and welcoming and recognized us. We knew he was a retired military guy who wintered in Texas but would spend his summers in his shop right across the road from beautiful Lake Superior.
A view of the lake.
The interior of the store was lined from floor to ceiling with thousands of used books and old vinyl record albums. Shelves outlined the perimeter of the store, which displayed antique dishes, collectibles and “practicals”. We always looked forward to stopping at this quaint shop. We would usually buy a couple of books at about $1-2 a piece.
One year we apologized for only spending $2 but he graciously said…the north shore gets a million visitors a year…if each one spends a $1 that works for me…however, I run this store because it’s fun…not for the money.
The For Sale sign for Practicals, Collectables, & Antiques.
This year at the turnoff we noticed the large hand-written “For Sale” sign in the yard. The building was locked and empty, and we were a bit sad. I guess we knew it was coming sooner or later but it was too soon for us.
While at the cabin we searched for additional information about the store. We found a local TV news program had interviewed the owner in Spring 2018. We learned the owner’s name is Ed Johnson and that he was loved by many (we were not surprised). We learned he ran this store for 26 years and at the time of the interview he was 76 years old.
If you look closely, you can see an outhouse in the back. There was no running water in this building. The public restroom was an outhouse.
One other fond memory I have of “Mr. Ed” is from years ago, before we got to know him a bit. My mom and I would occasionally take weekend trips together and I remember bringing her to his shop once. She was using a walker at that time and she required some extra care. He always welcomed people into his store. This time, when my mom and I left the store, he came to the door to say good- bye, and then he said to me, “thanks for taking such good care of your mom.” I don’t think any other person in the world ever told me that and it really meant a lot to me and brings tears to my eyes this day. A simple act of kindness.
“Cheers to Ed!” We trust he and his wife are enjoying their retirement.
As we prepare for our annual trek to the north shore I usually reread the psalm I wrote years ago. I’ve posted it before but am posting it again. It continues to capture my feelings about wonderful Lake Superior and the north shore.
A new day ~ our view of the sun rising over Lake Superior. (2017)
Lake Superior Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd I shall thank him. He allows me to come to Lake Superior And hear the calming waves. He restores my soul. He guides me on the trails of the Superior Forest And leads me along the rocky shores. Even when the waves are rough – even when the lake is calm, I look forward to coming, And He is with me. His creation and His majesty, they comfort me. He anoints me with many blessings My cup overflows and I am grateful. Surely I will praise him and follow him All the days of my life, I‘m grateful to dwell in His presence On the shores of Lake Superior.
