February 23, 2012

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The Northern Rail Hotel in Duluth

Ask anyone who lives in or around Duluth, Minnesota about interesting sights, and they’ll tell you about the Northern Rail Hotel. Located just a short drive north of Duluth, this hotel offers something that few others probably do—the opportunity to stay and sleep in an actual train car.

Situated a mere five minutes from the shores of Lake Superior, the Northern Rail Hotel sits comfortably on 160 acres of secluded bliss. You won’t find any of the “city” kind of nightlife or any wild parties around here. What you will find are some of the most popular outdoor activities, and depending on what time of the year you stay at the Northern Rail, these can include everything from mountain biking and snowshoeing to bird watching and hiking. Gooseberry State Park is nearby, too!

The front desk and breakfast areas are situated in a train depot, complete with an enclosed platform that leads you to where you’ll be staying. You have three room options at the Northern Rail. The porter suites consist of a half of a rail car and the king/queen suites span a full car and also include a living room area and fireplace. For those who don’t mind spending a bit more money, there are the yardmaster condos. These boast a king-size bedroom, living room, and a full kitchen, as well as a large electric fireplace and a hot tub. If this last option is of interest, be aware that you have to stay for two nights to be able to book one.

If you’ve grown bored with the normal hotels and amenities, then why not give the Northern Rail hotel a try?

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Fixing Your Car Problems

Chicago is often referred to as “The Second City,” but these days Chicago should be referred to as “The Smartest City.” Chicago, just like every other country in the United States, has felt the effects of the economy. By taking a look around this vibrant city, you can see that it, too, has had its share of hard times since the market collapsed in 2007.

The city is broke and its citizens are worried about their financial well-being. The city that has prided itself on taking care of so many by providing jobs has been on a hiring freeze, and the rate of unemployment is through the roof. Chicagoans are struggling, but they’ve decided to do something about it.

Chicago is doing car loan refinancing in record numbers. For many it’s for the simple math equation. They are looking at the money that is coming in and seeing the money that is going out. There are only two ways to deal with the car loan when it is more than you can afford.

One option is to get rid of the car altogether. Usually, this just isn’t a realistic option, though. Many people rely on their cars to get them around town, even in a major public transportation city like Chicago. Another option is a car loan refinance, and the results people are getting from this financially savvy move is fantastic.

For instance, there are plenty of people out there who are finding that just because their income isn’t quite the same, it doesn’t mean that their credit has suffered one bit. They are able to finance and keep the car, but they pay a lower interest rate, which will lower their monthly payment.

Chicago has decided that a financial situation isn’t as bleak if you put in the time to fix it. Refinancing is a way Chicagoans are fixing their own financial problems for now and for the future.

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History and More in Hastings

Situated on the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Vermillion Rivers just miles from Minneapolis, the city of Hastings is a must-see place for any history fan. Not only is the city rich in history, but it also offers numerous activities that are sure to please everyone in the family. From historic tours and shopping to hiking and fishing, Hastings can be a great vacation spot.

Afton State Park, which sits right next to the St. Croix River, is chock full of activities for everyone, nature fan or not. There are numerous biking, hiking, and walking trails that wind throughout the park. If you’re visiting in the middle of winter, the trails double as a cross-country skiing course. If you wander down a few of the trails, they’ll lead you to a public beach with some of the most beautiful scenery around.

Downtown Hastings is home to 63 buildings that are registered with the National Register of Historic Places. These include two churches, 33 business buildings, and 28 homes. You can see all of these at your leisure, as all of them can be found on the city maps available from the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. One of the most popular sites to visit is the Fasbender Clinic, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

If you’re a golf fan, there’s something for you in Hastings as well. The area has a multitude of different golf courses, and while you need a membership to get into many of them, there are four public courses that are very popular with tourists. Hidden Greens is considered to be one of the best public courses in Minnesota, and Ricer Oaks Municipal Golf, located a short distance away in Cottage Grove, claims a high rating by Golf Digest.

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Minnesota’s ValleyFair: Fun on a Budget

Aside from Six Flags Great America in Gurney, Illinois and Cedar Point near Sandusky, Ohio, there aren’t very many theme parks located in the Midwest. These two theme parks can get expensive, too, and with the economy still recovering, people are looking for ways to save money everywhere. Saving money doesn’t mean cutting out weekend fun, though.

Shakopee, Minnesota, which is just a short distance from downtown Minneapolis, is home to ValleyFair, a non-expensive amusement park with a little something for everybody.

The park boasts thirteen different rollercoasters with names like Wild Thing, Steel Venom, and Xtreme Swing. For those who aren’t fans of roller coasters, there are some other rides such as Thunder Canyon, which is a smaller water rollercoaster and even a covered waterslide. ValleyFair also offers the traditional fair rides such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, The Scrambler, and a Ferris Wheel, as well as some other water rides.

If you’re planning to take children with you to ValleyFair, there are rides for them, too, including a smaller rollercoaster. Other rides include mini boates in the shape of barrels, as well as a multi-level treehouse and a ball pit.

Be aware that, while admission to the park and rides is cheaper that the larger amusement parks, the price of food can be a bit pricey. Meals for a group of four will generally cost anywhere between $20 and $40, so if you don’t want to spend that much, either eat before heading to the park or eat afterward. If you’re not up for an entire meal and would just like a snack or something sweet, there are vendors throughout the park that sell items such as cotton candy, caramel apples, and a variety of ice cream treats.

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Must-See Minnesota Events

Some people might tell you that the Midwest has some of the most varying weather in the entire United States. Those of us who live in the Midwest would have to agree wholeheartedly. From the subzero temperatures and multiple feet of snow in the winter to the humidity and thunderstorms of the summer, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota have definitely learned how to use those seasons and the accompanying weather to their advantage.

Minnesota holds a number of different festivals throughout the year, regardless of the season. If you’re planning to be in Minnesota at all during any of the following events, make sure you attend the festivals. You’ll see how the mix of midwestern weather can be more than fun.

For eleven days in late January, the St. Paul Winter Carnival attracts thousands of people willing to brave the cold temperatures for a little fun. Since 1886, the people of Minnesota have been participating in activities like ice and snow sculpting, ice skating, and even a traditional Native American pow wow with one of the local tribes. One of the most popular events at the carnival is the Torchlight Parade, which occurs at night through the streets of St. Paul.

In mid-July, Minneapolis is home to the Aquatennial, which pays homage to the many waterways in Minnesota. Since 1940, events such as beach volleyball, the triathlon, and the ever-popular fireworks display have been taking place throughout the city. Along with a huge block party, one of the most popular events of the Aquatennial is the boat race in which contestants create boats from milk cartons.

The Minnesota State Fair is perhaps the biggest event in the state, taking place for twelve days in August. With standard Midway rides, the Adventure Park for those who like different rides, as well as butter sculptures and Pronto Pups, this is truly an event showcasing everything that makes the state of Minnesota what it is.

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Minnesota’s Weather Challenges

Minnesota offers its residents and visitors a wide variety of weather throughout the year, especially during the winter months. The northern section of the state reaches freezing lows in January, and enjoys a constant layer of snow from December into the midst of March. Temperatures are slightly milder in the southern part of the state during winter, with a high of 25 degrees on most January days. The summers can carry highs in the eighties and lower seventies when you are near Lake Superior.

Minnesota’s weather history has shown extremes in temperature and precipation totals during the winter. One such event is the great snowfall that occurred in St. Paul during the 1880 to 1881 winter season. The event started with a modest 10 inches in late October, ending with a high near 140 inches that lasted from March into early summer. Having eleven feet of snow surrounding your home for that period of time must have been interesting to live with. This was later called “The Great Snow Winter.”

Along with receiving significant amounts of snow, Minnesota also had periods of extreme dryness in its history. This happened in 1829. The event was laid out in records kept at Fort Snelling. The months of May and June received only eight total days of rain the entire time. The summer came in with record heat, and this continued on into the winter, with no snow in sight. Then the temperatures plummetted in February when a series of two week lows hit the state, with numbers as low as – 20 and – 30 degrees.

The weather could also hit extremes on both ends of the scale, with little to no rain in June of 1863 to deadly frosts that attacked crops in July and August. Throughout its history, Minnesota weather has challenged the residents of this state. But it has also helped to build a hardy character into the people who live here.

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Get into Nature at Temperance River

Temperance River at Silver Bay, Minnesota is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The hiking trail through the park takes you along some of the most beautiful country and natural features in the state. As you walk along, you will pass through woods filled with spruce, pine and cedar trees. There are also waterfalls and numerous areas to either camp out or have a picnic.

The summer is the perfect season to sit near the shore of Lake Superior, having a peasant lunch outside. You can also go hiking, rock climbing and fishing as well. Camping in the park is available throughout the year. You can camp with a group of up to six people, but there is a fee to use campsites. To pay, you can go the station that is self-serving to sign up and get your permit. Make sure you are aware of any restrictions on the use of firewood and building of campfires.

The park is also an attractive destination in the wintertime, when snow gives a new beauty to the landscape. You can cross-country ski and snowmobile, or take in the sites via the trail. You can shop at the park’s nature store and find firewood at the park’s office. Several picnic areas are within easy reach of the campgrounds.

If you want to make a reservation to camp, you can contact the park directly. They can be set up to a year ahead of time, but there are campsites that are available on a walk-in basis. There are also camping cabins available for your use. These can sleep up to six individuals and may or may not have electricity in them.

Temperance River is a wonderful stay for any visitor, whether for a short time or on a longer camping trip. You will enjoy exploring and experiencing this protected corner of the great outdoors.

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Enjoying Winter, Minnesota Style

Winter may be cold and covered with snow, but there are numerous events throughout the state to keep you busy. They can help you to find a measure of warm joy in the midst of the winter freeze, from holiday lights to crafts and various Christmas celebrations.

One event you can take part in is the Nordic Christmas Celebration in Minneapolis. During this time, you can learn about the various cultures of Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Norway. There is cultural music, at the area museum coupled with dancing. Your family can even go on a guided tour of the facility and listen to a well spun tale. Farmington is home to Christmas in the Village, where you and your family can enjoy a traditional holiday experience. Santa, Victorian style, walks through the village giving treats to the kids and you can listen to holiday tunes sung by a choir in the area church. You can also take part in cooking activities, sewing and get a hot drink and a snack in the drug store.

Those who love holiday light displays will love the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. This runs the period from November 20 through December 26, and is located in the Bay Front Festival Park. Admission to the tour is free of charge. in Faribault, you can enjoy the Shattuck St. Mary’s Campus Christmas Walk. The campus is decorated with lights, and as you stroll along you can enjoy singing by the students. There is also a performance of figure skating skill in the arena and other various demonstrations for visitors to enjoy.

For a different winter experience, bring your family to Wadena and enjoy a sleigh ride. Taken out by horse, the rides are free of charge to everyone. Children will get to meet Santa Claus and receive a surprise. With all of these experiences, you will have a wonderful time enjoying winter, Minnesota style.

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Minnesota Metrodome Taken Out by Heavy Snowfall

With the recent snow storms blanketing parts of the country with heavy snowfall, flights, travel and football games are being negatively impacted. Minnesota has not been immune to this weather, especially with the recent heavy snowfall that has impacted the Metrodome. The weight of more than 17 inches of snow over the course of the storm became too much, causing the stadium roof to collapse. The snow fell in sheets onto the astroturf, falling from a hole in the roof. The seating around the stadium, as the team stated, would have been missed by the falling snow and debris.

This event happens at a critical juncture in the team’s future at both the stadium and in Minnesota. There has been recent talks of moving the team to Los Angeles, and the team has to make a decision regarding the lease on the stadium, which is set to end next year. This incident also helps to settle a longtime call for a new stadium, which they have asking for over the last ten years. If the Vikings do stay in Minnesota, this recent disaster may help their cause.

Right now, cleanup efforts are in place to get the stadium back into operable condition for the game against the Chicago Bears that is set for the December 20th. The panel for the stadium still has to have three panels replaced so that the roof can be fully repaired. The biggest issue in getting a new stadium is the six billion dollar deficit that the team has to deal with. The effort is currently underway to get public support for the new stadium.

The total cost for the new stadium is estimated at $700 million dollars, which the team has promised to pay one-third of. They are having some difficulty finding the support they desire, but remain determined to be successful.

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Shoveling Out After the Storm

The Midwest is still reeling in some areas from the massive snow that has hit, Minnesosota getting its fair share well. The total when the snow left is around 17.1 inches, enough to make things difficult for those who will have to get to work this week. Though roads in most areas are mostly clear, the Minnesota Department of Transportation still warns drivers to be cautious. Some roads may be icy as melted snow turns back into ice with freezing nightly temperatures.

This storm has got winter going early in the state, and has a unique way of doing it. As it came in, it moved from the northwest towards the southeast, moving quickly and bringing in plenty of moisture. St. Paul took a beating, and cars could be found abandoned along roadways as drivers despaired of digging them out. Minneapolis faces a huge obstacle in trying to clear city streets of the immense snow drifts and accumulation.

Some residents had their health impacted when trying to dig themselves and their vehicles out. These ranged from minor frostbite to heart attacks, keeping hospitals busy throughout the night during the storm. The situation was made worse by strong winds that reached up to sixty miles per hour. This caused the snow to drift and become tightly packed together.

On city streets, there were over a hundred buses stranded on city streets that were snow packed. The airport was packed with visitos when 100 flights had to be taken off the schedule due to the weather. This storms tops out in total snowfall as the fifth largest, which makes for an interesting beginning to the Minnesota winter. City officials in the Twin Cities are working hard to help residents get out from under the snow and get city streets clear for traffic.

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