Travel | Minnesota Chamber

Cold Weather in Chisholm, MN is a Blast for Winter Sports Lovers

Minnesota’s cold winters and heavy snowfall makes it a winter lover’s paradise for those who enjoy outdoor and indoor winter sports. January is typically the coldest month of the year in Minnesota. Weather.com records the average low temperature for Chisholm in January to be -5°. The average yearly snowfall for the area is 61 inches. With weather like this, you are bound to have a blast with plenty of sporting activities. Here are some of the most popular winter sports attractions in the Chisholm area.

Chisholm Sports Arena Ice and Roller Skating Rink

Ice skating, figure skating and all things hockey are popular activities for Minnesotans. This arena is open all year-round and offers youth and adult lessons for beginners and pros alike. You can also watch local, national and international hockey league tournaments at the rink.

Giants Ridge Resort

Located about 40 minutes outside of Chisholm, the Giants Ridge Resort in the town of Biwabik is a “must visit” winter destination. This ski resort is top-rated in Minnesota for its 35 downhill ski runs and 60 kilometer cross country ski trails. Snowboarding terrain parks also makes this resort a fun attraction for visitors. The resort offers a winter sports school where you can get some lessons before you hit the slopes.

Suomi Hills Kennel

If you don’t mind traveling just little over an hour from Chisholm, then you will be delighted with the adventure of riding with snow dogs. Located in the city of Deer River, the Suomi Hills Kennel breeds and trains snow dogs to perform trail rides. The kennel offers large group rides and tours.

Filed Under: Sports, Travel Tagged With: Minnesota, Sport, Winter sport

Duluth Woman Receives Flowers From Elton John

Image via Wikipedia

A woman celebrating her 93rd birthday was surprised by a huge bouquet of flowers delivered to her, and the card said they were from Elton John himself. Rocket Man had just entertained her the night before, where Harriet Schwenk saw her favorite musician perform from the eighth row of the concert.

Years ago, Schwenk babysat the children of a freelance concert promoter who pulled strings to get her a back-stage tour before the world-famous star arrived. David Van Puffelen, the concert promoter, was given permission by Elton John’s assistant to deliver the flowers to the woman. It isn’t clear how Elton John knew of her or that it was her birthday, but he was touched enough by her presence at his concert that he make this kind effort.

The huge bouquet was half as tall as the 4-foot-7 elderly woman, who took it to her church on Sunday to show all her friends. She was the most popular congregation member that day. Her grand daughter attended the concert with her, both of them being avid Elton John fans.

Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947, and he studied music in school growing up. It was no surprise that he began his musical career right upon graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. His first band, formed in 1961, was called Bluesology, and at the time he changed his given moniker to Elton Hercules John, being inspired by sax player Elton Dean and the band’s front man Long John Baldry.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: Elton Dean, Elton John, Royal Academy of Music

A Glimpse of Minnesota History in Red Wing

If you consider yourself a history buff or have someone in your family who loves the subject, then be sure to visit the city of Red Wing in Minnesota on your next visit to the state. A little over an hour away from St. Paul, Red Wing is located on the south end of Mud Lake and is situated in both Pierce and Goodhue Counties. With a population of right around 16,000, Red Wing is steeped in history that is sure to interest just about anyone.

Most people who know of Red Wing know about the famous (and still popular) Red Wing boots. In 1905, Charles Beckman founded the manufacturing company known simply as Red Wing and began to sell boots.

So, what’s so special about Red Wing boots? The way the company takes care of you. Red Wing doesn’t sell boots through a website, as they believe in custom-fitting, which means they want you to come in and get measured. When you buy a pair of famous Red Wing boots, the company promises to take care of them for as long as you have them. You can have them relaced, carefully cleaned, and if you want, they’ll even fix the eye holes for you. That’s pretty amazing customer service.

Red Wing’s boots aren’t the only interesting thing in the city. There are plenty of activities to partake in, such as boat or canoe trips, camping, hiking, walking along the Mississippi, and there are even plenty of shopping opportunities. The neighboring towns help make Red Wing and the surrounding area one of the most beautiful and relaxing areas in Minnesota.

Filed Under: News, Travel Tagged With: Minnesota, Mud Lake, Red Wing Minnesota

Finding New Freedom – Coming to Minnesota

Germans came to Minnesota for a wide variety of reasons near the middle to the end of the 19th century. They were seeking freedom from political pressures, freedom to practice religion without persecution and to escape military conscription. The political scene in Germany at this time was extremely unstable, with the constant changes in the government and its policies. This drove many to come to the United States to find land and the opportunity to start a new life, with Minnesota as one of their many destinations. This country had land in abundance and heading west meant new opportunities.

The land that many Germans chose to settle on was already inhabited by a variety of Native American peoples, including the Dakota, Cheyenne, Lakota and Cree tribes. These areas had been annexed by the federal government under treaties which were often broken. This is particularly true in the case of the Dakota land, where broken treaty causd the tribe to rise up and fight back, leading to the United States and Dakota War of 1862. This tribe was later removed from the area and placed at Fort Snelling.

Settlement societies cropped up in the Minnesota territory, advertising to encourage more Germans to come to the United States and celebrating the many advantages they would find when they arrived. This caused a crop of new immigrants, most of which were German. They could buy land within the territory for four costs ranging from $2.50 to $8.00 per acre. Today, the areas they settled in lie in the southern part of the state and includes such towns as Gibbon and Sleepy Eye. They also settled predominantly in the counties of Gibbon, Winona, Nicolett, Benton and Morrison.

Bringing their culture with them along with their families, these German immigrants have left a strong legacy behind for us. Their story is still relevant today, and speaks of the courage and new lives that they fostered in this state.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: Ethnicity, Minnesota, United States

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.

Filed Under: Climate, Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: Minnesota, National Weather Service, Snow, Temperature, Weather

The Story Behind the Minnesota State Capitol Building

: Image via Wikipedia

The state capitol, located in St. Paul, is the center of Minnesota history. The first meeting held by the legislative body was done in St. Paul in 1849, starting out in a timber built hotel. After a fire in 1881, another structure was built, but the legislature outgrew this one quickly. Finally, in 1893, funds were set aside for a new capitol building, designed by Cass Gilbert. When construction began on the new building, the state itself was a young one, having only been in the Union for 37 years.

The work began on it in 1896, and was finally finished in 1905 for the princely sum of $4.5 million. Gilbert has built many other famous buildings in the United States, including designing the United States Supreme Court building and the Woolworth Building. He brought the same quality and grace to the new Minnesota capitol building. On the outside, the dome is constructed of white marble and granite. The statue atop the dome is made of copper, with a gold leaf exterior. Winding down from the dome is a stairway that is able to support its own weight.

The inside is a myriad of stone, with 20 various kinds used in its construction. Those walking its halls feel an airy space with the high vaulted ceilings. Throughout the structure are numerous beautiful art works and intricate detail in each room. This is due to Gilbert’s personal attention to both the construction of the building and the outfitting of the interior. When finished, it drew positive praise nationwide from numerous architects and artistic types.

It has a total of three floors, housing the Supreme Court, chambers for the House and Senate along with offices for the governor and his or her staff. It still stands today, waiting for visitors to stroll through its halls and enjoy its stunning beauty.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Government, Travel Tagged With: Saint Paul Minnesota, St. Paul

A Romp Through Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, located in International Falls, Minnesota, is a unique experience for the visitor. In order to fully explore this park, you have travel by water, navigating your way through the parks numerous lakes and islands. While doing so, you may go by either kayak, canoe or motorboat. Early explorers came up through the areas waterways using birch bark canoes, searching for new sources of trade in pelts and furs.

The high time to visit the park is during the warmer months of August and September, giving you a mix of pleasant weather and fewer insects while outside. However, if you love to explore in the wintertime, the park has numerous opportunities for you to enjoy. Within the park, you can snowshoe over trails, cross-country ski and even ice fish. You can always stop by the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, which is open throughout the year. Here, you can rent skis and snowshoeing equipment.

For those who love to learn about nature, various programming is provided to visitors from fall to spring. Spring is the time to get out in your boat and explore, as the waters start to open up from winter’s grip. Summer is the busiest season of the year, and the park has three visitor centers open at this time. During this season, you can take a guided tour by boat through the park, or go on your own by renting a canoe.

Campers can get out under the stars in more than 200 locations within the park boundaries. To reach these sites, you must travel by water. Some sites are available by trail, with a few sites that can be reached with your vehicle. You must have a permit, which is provided free of charge, at one of the park’s visitor centers. With all of the available activities, Voyageurs National Park is a perfect place for diving into the beauty of the great outdoors.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: Big Bend National Park, National Parks Conservation Association, United States, Voyageurs National Park

Getting in Touch With Minnesota’s Native American Heritage

: Image via Wikipedia

Minnesota has a rich Native American heritage, which can be discovered at Pipestone National Monument located in Pipestone. The park is the site of a rich quarry of red pipestone, which was used by local tribes as a medium for carving peace pipes. These items were very precious to the individiuals who had them, for they were held to carry prayers through the smoke up the Great Spirit. The park showcases the process of making these pipes for visitors, giving them a glimpse of the past.

Visitors can see demonstrations of local Native Americans carving the pipes, they work their creations right before your eyes. The pipes are made using traditional techniques, and the carvers will explain the process to you. You can also watch the stone being taken out of the ground. The workers use the same hand tools and techniques from past times.

If you want to explore the park, you can explore the Circle Trail, which is about a thirty to sixty minute walk. The path is paved, starting at the visitor center and circling back around. Along the way, you will see various areas that have been marked as critical to the area’s history. These include quarry sites, Winnewissa Falls and long strolls through tallgrass prairie. In order to use the trail, you have to get a pass from the visitor center. It is open throughout the year, but may close in inclement weather.

There are also sites to have a picnic and just to enjoy the view. The Three Maidens picnicking area is located near the road going up to the visitor center. There are restrooms and plenty of places to eat. Inside the visitor center you can attend a ranger given presentation, visit the many exhibits and watch various demonstrations. Pipestone National Monument is a fascinating and unique place for you to enjoy, and should be on your vacation checklist.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Government, Travel Tagged With: Ethnicity, Great Spirit, Minnesota

Take a Winter Tour through Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park lcoated in Preston, Minnesota offers a variety of natural beauties on the surface and just below your feet. Mystery Cave is the perfect place to hide from the summer sun on a guided tour with one of the park’s naturalists. On the tour, you will get to see a variety of cave features, including stalagmites, cave pools and stalagtites. The temperature within the cave stays at 48 degrees throughout the year. The cave runs for a total of 13 miles below the surface, with gorgeous fossils, flowstone and other natural features around every turn.

The tours run from a one hour basic excursion to advanced tours that go deeply into the cave’s geological features. The park suggests that you wear warm clothes and have shoes with gripping soles. Visitors can take pictures while in the cave, but may not remove any natural items.

Those who want to have fun on the surface can visit a completely restored village out of the 1800′s or go fishing for trout. Those who want to get out in nature can ride a horse or go by bicycle on one of the many numerous trails. Winter allows visitors the opportunity to ride snowmobiles and go skiing. These trails take you through forestted areas and near amazing land features such as sink holes and the Big Spring.

To horse ride in the park, you must have a Minnesota Horse Pass, with the trail being open from May first through November first. The fishing in the park has a season from the middle of April until the middle of September. The rest of the year is catch and release only, and you must have the proper fishing stamp and license.

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park has numerous activities for you to take part in, and is well worth a stop when on vacation.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: Cave, Caving, Outdoors, Recreation, Travel and Tourism

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.

Filed Under: Climate, Entertainment, Sports, Travel Tagged With: Camping, Campsite, Lake Superior, Park, Rock climbing, State park, Temperance River, Trail