We had a afternoon free there so we visited the gardens and found a delightful place. Butterflies in the hot house and wonderful gardens. It was then on to Minnesota.
We took a trolly tour of Rochester with one of the highlights being this Plummer house. Plummer was a doctor who worked with the doctors Mayo in their clinic.
We spent most of 11 days just visiting friends and relatives then it was on to Duluth for four days of sightseeing.
The first day was spent on the North shore of Lake Superior. We drove North to Split Rock Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was placed into service in 1910 after a major storm in 1905 killed some 35 sailors. It's built on solid rock and is an amazing architectural feat for the 1910's.
On the way back to Duluth we stopped at Gooseberry State Park to visit the falls. A short hike brought us to this view.
The port of Two Harbors is halfway back to Duluth and here we stopped to see ore loading docks. The rail cars are backed on top of these docks and the ore is then loaded to the boat below.
We watched a loaded ore boat leave the harbor. There are 13 of these boats on the great lakes each is 1000 feet long.
Day two saw us visit Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. This is the carriage house that housed the horses, carriages and male servants on the second floor.
The house is over 27,000 square feet and was built in 1910. Mr Congdon was a lawyer who purchased stock in the iron mines. Several years later JP Morgan bought the iron mines and made him a very wealthy man.
The rooms were furnished with the original furnishings. It gave us a accurate glimpse of life of the wealthy in Duluth at that time.
In the afternoon we wandered harbor park and were rewarded with a departing ore boat. The bridge (built in 1930) raises and the massive boat sails down the narrow canal to Lake Superior.
Once clear of the harbor they head for Lake Michigan or Lake Erie to off load at the steel mills there.
Day three found us taking a harbor cruise on the Vista line. A great morning for touring the harbor up close.
The tour took us out into the lake. Coming back we had the same view as an arriving ore boat. The canal looks pretty small to me.
In the afternoon we visit the ore ship Wiliam Irvin which is now a museum. It was retired in the 1930 because at 600 feet it was too small.
One last look at the harbor from Enger tower and it's farwell Duluth. Off to Bemidji tomorrow.
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