12 minute read
ON YOUR PHONE IN DULUTH &
Accounts to follow to be in-the-know
By Samantha Erkkila serkkila@duluthnews.com
Search for #duluth on Instagram, and you will find nearly half a million posts highlighting the hillside city on the shores of Lake Superior.
Aside from the few Duluth, Ga., posts that may have trickled their way in, the photos showcase not only the big lake, but the many city parks, favorite restaurants and shops, and of course the Aerial Lift Bridge.
Scrolling through this hashtag between classes is a great way to get to know your new home for the next four years. But don’t just scroll, be sure to get off campus and go explore those places IRL.
Here’s a handful of other hashtags and people to follow to get you feeling like a Duluthian in no time:
#duluthnews features posts from yours truly. The @duluthnews account has a little bit of everything: sports, outdoors, food and Northlanders just doing their thing.
#authenticduluth, created by @visitduluth, features some of the more touristy attractions around the city.
#befromduluth is full of images that will make you want to stay in the area after college and become a Duluthian.
Open
@DuluthLovesLocal highlights the many small businesses in the Twin Ports. A great account to look at when you are searching for your next meal off campus.
@tyschank is a staff photographer here at the News Tribune so you will see her photos everywhere, but her feed features some of the amazing photos that don’t always make it into print.
@KidNorth features Duluth’s music and craft beer scene with an occasional alpaca portrait.
@TofteTom’s account gained popularity when he captured a rare sighting of five lynx gathered on a snow covered road. His moose and other North Shore wildlife photos don’t disappoint either.
@Glensheen is always up to something. And they seem to get the best sunrises there.
For the Twitter users in the group, @duluthnews has a handful of knowledgeable reporters to follow for sports and entertainment news:
@mattwellens has all your Bulldog hockey and misc. hockey news
@TacoJon1 is good for all the other college sports — Saints, Yellowjackets and Bulldogs
@DNTAnE has got you covered for arts and entertainment news
Other Duluthians to follow:
@LarsonForDuluth Mayor Emily Larson’s take on city news, politics, community events and running.
@ChiefMikeTusken Crime updates from the Duluth chief of police himself.
@PerfectDuluth Duluth culture, history and events
And of course be sure to follow your respective school:
@KirbyUMD UMD has an account for almost every department and activity, but this is the account to find out what events are happening around campus.
@StScholastica See what your CSS peers and Saints alumni are up too.
@UW_Superior Campus news for the folks on the other side of the bridge.
@LSC_Duluth Lake Superior College news and events.
Facebook and more
Of course you can always find us on Facebook: facebook.com/duluthnews
We also have a weekly podcast, Bulldog Insider, which features local hockey news and personalities. Don’t just experience the Twin Ports from your phone. Get out there and discover it for yourself! And tag us in your photos as you do so.
Welcome to Duluth. You live here now.
As a resident of this gorgeous-arty-craftbeer-and-mountainbikey city, there are some insider tips and hacks that we save for people who have made a commitment heavier than, say, spending MEA weekend at the Radisson Hotel.
(Those people are great, too, but they don’t get the hardcore 218 intel. You do.)
One pitcher, six reusable straws
This has nothing to do with you or me or the future. This is about honoring the past, a rite of passage passed on through the ages. Get thee to Grandma’s Sports Garden for a night of dancing your fanny pack loose. It’s a thing.
Bonus points for ordering a pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea and sharing it with six friends and then getting a safe ride home. Your ancestors are nodding. They did this, too.
Life after the lift bridge
We admit it. The Aerial Lift Bridge is a very scenic bit of Duluth property. You will want to take photographs of it when it’s up, when it’s down, when it’s stoic in the face of big waves and when everything around it is frozen. Just do it. There can never be enough photos of the Aerial Lift Bridge. But. Consider some other great images and vantage points: Enger Tower, Rock Knob at Hartley Park, Skyline Parkway. At the very least, try facing away from Lake Superior and capturing that gorgeous hillside.
Get muddy
This city is rich with trails — sometimes intense trails that make the trails in other cities look like an adorable way to spend a yawn.
The Superior Hiking Trail is 310 miles from Wisconsin to the Canadian border. More than 40 miles of it runs through Duluth. Close your eyes, throw a suction cup dart at the map from superiorhiking.org on your laptop screen, hike that many productions — ranging from fan-faves to contemporary to Shakespeare to abstract — that pop up on one of the local stages, there are things to see/hear/touch. There is innovative stuff happening at Prove Gallery and AICHO, which both regularly host visual art has been the go-to for an inexpensive burger (though a solid argument can be made for Gronk’s). Wasabi, which has a downtown Duluth
I’m cold” while your women’s soccer team heads into the playoffs. Or you can be like, “now I’m a skier” or “toss me a snowshoe”
Speaking of weather
The best thing about the fiercest of fierce days: that big, gray lake. The first thing you do during any kind of storm is to get as close as is safely possible to the water and watch it whip and whirl and break the Lakewalk and spray cars on the Aerial Lift Bridge and freak out the squares from The Weather Channel. Some people surf in those swells. But watching them is really cool, too.
Be of here spot, is also in Superior in place that was once a fast food restaurant. That offers a touch of quirk.
“sometimes exhibitions. The Joseph Nease Gallery blends larger solo shows by local artists with works from Midwest artists. If you’re into adding a side project to your majors and minors, Duluth Folk School has classes in chainsaw sharpening, Ukrainian-style egg decorating, yoga, bicycle maintenance and more. You can really find your you in Duluth.
Feeling Superior segment. There are also well-maintained mountain biking trails at places like Lester Park, Spirit Mountain and Piedmont Trails. Wear your helmet. Deets at coggs.com.
Art, craft, etc. Duluth does art. Lots of it. Whether it’s the nearly 200 local bands that play Homegrown Music Festival, and tons who play throughout the year, or one of the
Embrace your degrees
Correct me if I’m wrong, but when you told someone you were moving to Duluth, they probably reeled and mentioned the weather. THE WEATHER. Sure, you can get all “boo,
I snowboard to The Reef.” And then when it’s warm again, fasten your slack line to whatever and become your spring self. Not better, just different. Embrace your degrees, whether they are above or below zero. That said, always carry a jacket. And a rain jacket. Maybe a full change of clothes. It’s unpredictable.
Join in. Root for the teams, whether its high school hockey or Northwoods League baseball or anything in between. Get as local as you can be: Buy the DLH T-shirt, the growler of Snooty Fox kombucha, vote for city councilors and volunteer at Animal Allies. Tour Bentleyville and buy vintage Low from Electric Fetus. You live here now. Welcome.
(Also, it’s a “skywalk” not a “skyway” and Denfeld doesn’t end with “field.”)
Christa Lawler is a features reporter for the News Tribune. Write to her at clawler@ duluthnews.com and follow her on Twitter at @dntane.
Let’s talk about Superior, shall we? This not-quite twin city has the counterpoint to Park Point, which is Wisconsin Point — a far more lenient place to hang. You can have a beach fire in Superior and during a certain drift-woody period this past year, Mayor Jim Paine actually encouraged it. Also: per capita, this place has some of the best restaurants in the Twin Ports. Thirsty Pagen Brewery is the gold standard for pizza, Pak’s Green Corner is a super-casual Thai restaurant and the Pad Thai Burrito should have its own fan page. The Anchor, for years,
In case you need a little nudge to get out and about, here’s a Bingo card you can clip and keep this year. Mark off the boxes as you either see the thing or do the thing pictured. The gull gets you a free space because we know you’ll see one of those. Happy hunting!
Get your Katniss on
For $8, you can shoot as long as you want at Charlstrom’s Archery. That covers renting a bow and arrows, and if you’re new, a light lesson on technique, draw length and poundage.
Archery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. No reservations required. Good for delusions of “Hunger Games” herodom.
► Charlstrom’s Archery, 5067 Rice Lake Rd. More info: facebook.com/ Chalstroms-138945296154241
Get a bev and play it out
Duluth is flooded with breweries, pubs and cideries, many with ample opportunities to pair an IPA or fancy lemonade with Scrabble, pingpong or Galaga. Here are a few Twin Ports locations with a solid selection of games with a side of bevs for $10 or less: 310 Pub, Sir Ben’s, Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor, Taco Arcada, Duluth Cider.
Nerd alert
If you wanna hear locals geeking out on everything from Zelda to Viking magic to Japanese toilets, head to Nerd Nite. The monthly event is like “a low-pressure Ted Talk.” The $5 event ends with free giveaways, there’s a good chance someone’s in costume. Next up: 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Teatro Zuccone, 222 E Superior St. ► More info: facebook.com/ groups/339090973232/
At da movies
Check it. Once a week, that crumpled-up fiver in your pocket pays your way into a new movie. Depending on the night, area theaters in Duluth, Hermantown and Cloquet offer discounted prices for all students of life. Tuesdays, it’s on at Duluth 10, Lakes 10 and Premiere Theatre; Wednesday is the day at Zinema 2. Good for study breaks, groups and we’re-nottalking-to-each-other first dates.
► More info: marcustheatres.com, zeitgeistarts. com/zinema, premieretheatres.com
Spacing out
UMD’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium hosts everything from immersive films on cosmic colors and superhero stars to shows on solar system moons and Native American skies. There’s stuff for all ages, and tickets run $5; students with an ID pay $3.
► Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, 1023 University Dr. More info: scse.d.umn. edumarshall-w-alworth-planetarium
Story-share
Expect hip-hop or folk performances, stories about near-death experiences or cockroach infestations. It’s all heart at Gag Me with a Spoon, a monthly Duluth story-share in the vein of The Moth. Nothing’s off-limits, and the only rules: no -isms of any kind.
► Next up: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 21 at Teatro Zuccone,
222 E Superior St. More info: facebook.com/
GMWASDULUTH/ Get Laser-ed
Six bucks gets you two five-minute sessions in Adventure Zone’s multi-level laser tag arena — and time flies when you’re getting zapped by 11-year-olds. Expect nonstop laughter and creeping competitiveness against kids half your age.
► Adventure Zone, 329 S. Lake Ave. More info: adventurezoneduluth.com
F-R-E-E SCI-fi
Find biology + zombies, funga and the future of humans in space at Cafe Scientifique. This free monthly event joins area scientists, artists and the like for an informal presentation and Q&As. It’ll probably be different than class. 7 p.m. the last Thursday of the month at varying locations. Free.
► More info: cafescitwinports.or
Let’s hear it for the gamers
The Twin Ports sports local gaming shops offering free spaces to play — along with an array of goodies to discuss and buy. Expect Magic the Gathering, Pokemon tourneys and miniature painting contests.
► More info: Rogue Robot Games & Comics, 3 S. 4th Ave. W., roguerobotgames.weebly.com; Dungeon’s End Game Store, 325 N Central Ave., dungeonsend.com; Level UP Superior, 525 Tower Ave, Superior, levelupsuperior.com
More than reads
Local libraries stack their offerings on both sides of the pond with movie screenings, Vegan Cookbook Club, guitar lessons, even a weaving class. Check out what’s on tap, and if it’s books you want, they have those, too.
► More info: duluthlibrary.org, superiorlibrary.org
Email your fave things to do on a budget to mlavine@duluthnews.com.
By Mark Nicklawske
For the News Tribune
Jarrow Wahman was a cross-country runner at Duluth East High School some 40 years ago when teammate Sten Rudstrom took the squad to a hilly, forestcovered area outside of town called Hartley Field.
Rudstrom said the largely abandoned property — crisscrossed with unofficial trails — was a good place to run.
“I think there were dirt bike trails back then,” Wahman said. “He had discovered them, and he took us back there, and we were freaked out because we had never run off the road before.”
The team learned the haphazard trail network and quickly realized the magic generated by a run through the quiet, empty and endlessly challenging forest.
“It was a blast,” Wahman said. “When you’re running in the woods, the trails are relatively narrow, and you get a much better sense of speed — even if you’re going the same speed as you would on the road. The trees are on your left and right, and you’re going up and down hills … it’s a real satisfying type of running.”
Soon the Northern Minnesota Track Club was born, and the group held its first official trail race in 1981. There were 11 competitors.
Wahman helped organize the club and, when Rudstrom moved away, took over its leadership. The club continued to grow and has directed runners into what is now called Hartley Nature Center ever since. Today, Northern Minnesota Track Club trail runners are in their 20s, so it must be the next generation that’s picking up on this. It’s a way to exercise and/or socialize,” he said.
“I think it’s getting into nature and getting in a workout at the same time.”
Duluth-based runner Ben Cogger, all over.
Cogger started trail running as a teenager growing up near the Chequamegon National Forest in Washburn. He said the practice has always been popular in rural areas, but numbers have grown as more organized competitions attract rocks, you’re dodging roots, you’re turning. Sometimes you’re walking because you’re climbing up a really steep hill,” Cogger said.
“That aspect of trail running is really good for your body. I think a lot of people found that maybe they can’t go pound up get outdoors. You don’t really get the same experience running on the road.”
Cogger and his wife, Sara, have three children and live in the Observation Hill neighborhood of Duluth. He said the nearby Superior Hiking Trail and Duluth Traverse offer excellent access to Piedmont ski and bike trails, which are both challenging and beautiful.
Cogger recommends beginners use sturdy shoes designed for traction and water resistance. He also suggested regular attendance at the informal Northern Minnesota Track Club weekly trail runs.
“The majority of people there are not racing,” he said. “It’s a bunch of people that love trail running.” running competitions — such as the Minnesota Voyageur Ultramarathon — enlists about 200 competitors and the organization holds informal weekly runs each spring and fall.
The last five years have seen a tremendous spike in trail running participation, said Wahman, who established the Duluth specialty running store Austin-Jarrow with Bill Austin in 1984.
“Most of those
34, has competed in countless trail running events over the years and established course records in the Lutsen 50K and the Minnesota Voyageur Ultramarathon. None of the races are easy. The Voyageur, for example, follows an off-road course from Carlton through Jay Cooke State Park to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth and back. Roughly 50 miles of rocks, mud, trees, up and down and runners from all over.
“I think the big shift we’ve seen in trail running is in trail racing,” Cogger said. “There are a lot more trail-specific races available today than there were 20 years ago.”
Trails provide a more rounded and healthier workout than road running, he said, so people are actively seeking out more races. Marathon running, for example, works the same muscles over and over, some not at all. Trail running takes on the whole body.
“You’re hopping marathon after marathon on the road but they can go run marathons on the trails and it really doesn’t treat your body as harshly as a road marathon.”
As a youth, Cogger discovered trail running benefits beyond physical fitness.
“I always enjoyed nature,” he said. “I could go run 15-20 miles without seeing a soul the entire time. It was nice. It was a good way to see some country, too. Oftentimes you’re running in places you can’t drive a car to. It’s just a great way to
The weekly runs explore Duluth trails, offer different lengths and draw runners with a variety of experience. Newcomers pick up tips and make friends quickly.
“A lot of this is community,” Cogger said. “A lot of the friends I have in Duluth are friends I’ve made through running and trail running. It’s a good social activity. Getting together with the guys and go out on a Saturday for a couplehour run together. It’s just fun.”
For more information
The Northern Minnesota Track Club website at nmtc.run. Mark Nicklawske is a Duluth freelance writer.
