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By Lynn VanDervort
MnSF member Just a few warm days away, the summer travel season will embrace Minnesota - so start planning now - and take in these Minnesota treasures with seniors as volunteers, managers and owners! Duluth - Most everyone has been there, but did you know that one little railroad is run almost completely by retired volunteers? The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad operates on weekends only from mid-June to mid-October, on a line of track that begins near the Duluth Zoo on the west side of town. Volunteers include retirees who have taken a combination of book and “on-the-job” training as “firemen” to actually serve as engineer. One of the newest “retired” engineers is a woman! There are also conductors and ticket sellers who find this hobby a fine way to spend their retirement. Volunteer Jodi Chambers notes that this year’s goal is to get their newly acquired railroad postal car operational. Many of the cars are more than 90 years old, so it’s possible you may remember riding in similar cars as a child. Enjoy a 1 hour and 40-minute round trip ride along the St. Louis River, and there’s even an open air “Safari Car” for kids to enjoy. Iron Range - You’ve probably heard of IronWorld, but have you bothered to stop? Nestled between Hibbing and Chisholm on Highway 169, this attraction includes a trolley, educational exhibits on everything from heritage and folklore to mining and forestry, and a lot of retired volunteers who meet and greet guests. If you are looking for an excuse to go, no experience equals a good party on the Iron Range - consider stopping by for Finn Days in July or PolkaFest in June. Blue Earth - If you find yourself on Interstate 90 - stop by and say hi to Bill Hanson and his wife Jeanette between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the Red Barn Information Center in Blue Earth. Bill is there every Saturday, and most other days, and you can easily find him by looking for the guy wearing the straw hat with red bandana that says, “Red Barn Bill.” Bill retired from the municipal power plant in Blue Earth and eagerly took on a second career as the local agricultural historian, greeting people from around the world who stop by to see the 55.5-foot-high “Green Giant” statue. While so many vegetable packing plants have closed or consolidated, Blue Earth is still home to a cannery that occasionally processes vegetables for the Green Giant label. Bill gets special support from his wife, Jeanette, who makes sure that Bill eats by bringing his lunch and her computer savvy has resulted in a printed map of the United States, where she and Bill keep track of where visitors live. Everyone is color-coded by the month of their visit with push pins on the map. Add yourself to the array of visitors and say hi to retirees Bill and Jeanette Hanson, who have put the personal touch and a breath of fresh air back into a “rest stop.” Detroit Lakes - Lakes, you will find a lot of them in central Minnesota and near Detroit Lakes, a couple of family resorts have been “in the family” for generations. For the real “family friendly” experience, jump into Pelican Lake out of Fair Hills Resort. This resort includes a weekly Hootenanny show put on by the staff for all ages, as well as activities for teens and kids. But if you’d rather find yourself on the green - bring the clubs and shoot a few rounds at the 27-hole Wildflower course, rated 4.5 by Golf Digest magazine. If you want a more rustic experience, try the Valhalla resort on Island Lake, where original cabins date back to the '30s, '40s and '50s. With campsites and cabins, shower room and a canteen, Valhalla will take you back to the resort experience of your youth. When you are tired of the water, don’t forget to take in the flea market, owned and operated by retirees Ardis and Dave Hanson. Shady Hollow Market operates on Sundays, some Saturdays and some holiday weekend dates. Find everything from antiques to shabby chic at this eclectic gathering of people. For more information |
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