RV Home Yet?

Exploring along the Mesabi trail

The Mesabi Trail is a paved walking and biking trail through the Iron Range in Northeast Minnesota that goes from Ely to Grand Rapids, a distance of about 132 miles. The trail goes through more than 25 communities. One morning we drove up Highway 169 out of Virginia that more or less parallels the trail and stopped at several interesting sites you could see as you follow the trail.

In Virginia, the Rochleau Mine overlook overlooks not only the pit for the mine but the town of Virginia (left photo). George spotted the building where his father worked (at the top of the hill in the right photo).

In Chisholm, you are greeted by a giant iron statute. It is the third-largest freestanding statute in the nation and commemorates the iron ore miners of the Mesaba, Cuyuna and Vermilion Iron Ranges of northeastern Minnesota. It is 81 feet high. Right across the road is the Discovery Center that explores Iron Range mining history and a short distance in town is the Minnesota Mining Museum. Jaimie is standing in one of the giant scoops, one of the many pieces of giant mining equipment on the grounds.

Hibbing was our third stop. The Greyhound Bus Line started in Hibbing to transport miners. Now you can visit the Greyhound Bus Museum and see vintage buses plus learn more about this American icon.

Up the road is the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine View overlooking what is the biggest operating open pit iron ore mine in the world. Since 1895 more than 1.4 billion tons of earth have been removed, and more than 800 million gross tons of iron ore have been shipped from the mine. Iron ore production on the Range was at its peak during World War II.

In the relocated town of Hibbing (the town was moved in order to expand the pit), is the house where Bob Dylan, (Bob Zimmerman), grew up. You can obtain a copy of the Bob Dylan walking tour as well as a walking tour of other historic buildings in Hibbing. Downtown, Zimmy's Restaurant has a collection of Dylan memorabilia and copies of the walking tour.

Each of the towns along the Mesaabi Trail has something of interest. The trail takes you through pretty woods between towns. Some of the trail is still planned, most complete. A permit is required - $15 for an annual permit, $5 for a three-day permit. You can view or download the map. Click on it for a larger version. Shuttle service is also available for a fee so you can park the RV at one spot and get a ride back from your destination. It's a great way to see the countryside plus the neat things that each town has to offer. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

 

RV Lifestyle Ezine: Sun damage - inspect & protect your RV

In Tom and Nancy Vineski's column, they write, "...Speaking of sunshine, I just finished a major cleaning of the RV exterior. It dawned on me that we spend a lot of time talking about solar energy and fail to include one of the not so healthy "energies" that come with it—UltraViolet or UV—and the damage it causes to our rigs over time..."

In this issue of RV Lifestyle Ezine, Tom and Nancy go on to explain how you can inspect and protect your RV from damage from UV.

You'll also find two new apps, three festivals that are coming up, and much more. Read also about the International Wolf Center- an item on Jaimie's bucket list.

Wolves and bears- oh my!

One of the places on my bucket list in Minnesota was the International Wolf Center (IWC) in Ely. Years ago I had read about wolf howling trips where you go out in the forest at night and howl to the wolves - and they sometimes answer! When we were in Minnesota previously, we did not have time to stop.

This time we reserved a day for a trip to Ely. However, when I looked up the howling trips, I found out they don't happen in July. The wolves are busy raising pups so the howling trips start up again in August. Still a visit to the center was fun and informative. Two wolves that are brothers are in an enclosure where you can see them through glass panes. They mostly hung around in view- lying stretched out on a rock or pacing on one of the trails. I thought maybe they were expecting a meal but at Wolf 101, we found out that wolves eat once every 7-10 days in the wild, so that's how they are fed at the IWC. Feeding day is Saturday. It was Friday. Maybe they were anticipating their meal? They were beautiful.

The mission of the IWC is to educate about wolves. The center has displays about their behavior, films and talks plus field trips you can participate in. Their goal is for you to have knowledge so you can make up your own mind about issues facing wolves.

Also in Ely, on the other end of town, is the North American Bear Center (NABC). We decided to stop there too. Two of the three  bears hang around towards the viewing area; the other tends to stay hidden except when hungry. You could view the bears from the lecture area if they were nearby or on the outside viewing deck, up a floor. Ted, possibly the largest black bear in North America, had his area staked out over to one side right near the viewing windows. Apparently he has lost some weight, though he looked enormous. At one time he weighed more than 1000 pounds! Lucky was younger and more active. It was a hot day. While Ted panted at the slightest exertion, Lucky played with a ball in the pool. A delivery of sorts was a diversion that attracted both bears, and we could see the series of fences and gates designed to make sure the bears did not get out.

Before we left, it was snack time. Ted posed by sitting up. The attendant placed a large bunch of grapes on his arm, which were soon gobbled up. Both got other fruit plus nuts and seeds. A chipmunk could barely wait until Lucky wandered off from his food to go stuff his cheeks with the seeds Lucky had left.

NABC's purpose is also education, with displays of other bear specimens and plenty of information. They work with educators, providing them with materials.

Both parking lots have room for RVs to park while visiting. The town of Ely has plenty of places to eat plus shops. Since Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters, you'll find plenty of outfitters and outdoor equipment stores. If you can park your RV somewhere - a park - and then drive in, it will be easier to park in town.

Someday I would still like to do a howling trip - called Wolf Communication in the schedule. George's reunion is always July 4 so I don't know when that is going to happen. Having not yet seen a wolf in the wild - even in Alaska - nor heard one howl, I know it would be a very cool experience. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Good news for RVers with physical limitations

While at least one manufacturer that used to customize RVers for those with disabilities no longer does that, Kick'in Kampers is taking up the slack. Out of Tucson, Kick'in Kampers manufacturers truck campers and trailers but is now also customizing RVs. Kick'in Kampers is "now converting travel trailers, fifth wheels, vans and motor homes to make them accessible to the disabled, according to the Arizona Star. "Roll-in tile showers, chair-lift systems, widened entry doors and altered counter heights are just a few of the possible modifications that owner Lorenzo Caracciolo and his employees offer to customers," continues the article.

And, on another front, according to RVBusiness.com, a Canadian firm now rents wheel-chair ready RVs. The owner, Chris Loscerbo, is a parapalegic and decided to rent wheel-chair ready RVs after obtaining his own and experiencing the freedom of the open road.

It is wonderful that there are companies responding to this niche market so they too can enjoy the world of RVing. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak Photo by Alice Zyetz

Today Show RV coverage- does it help attract RVers?

The Today Show did a short feature on "glamping," that is glamorous camping in a high end RV. The three women, consumer correspondent Janice Lieberman and two female friends, camped in an upscale Winnebago Journey at Normandy Farms in Massachusetts. Normandy Farms is one of the more expensive RV resorts in the nation. The three enjoyed facials and manicures besides the more "usual" camping activities.

Does a segment like this attract more RVers? or does it scare them away? Certainly glamping at Normandy Farms is not the typical RV experience. It's not what the RV experience is all about, though a small percentage might like this type of stay. The majority of RVers could not afford $77/night for a weekend stay during the summer there.

What do you think? Do you think viewers would be turned off by glamping? or might it attract a new group of RVers? Is any publicity to promote the industry better than none? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak 

Going for the gold!

I admit it. We are yuppies when it comes to coffee. We like Starbucks! Though we do like to patronize independent coffee shops, the quality isn't always the best. For the most part, Starbucks is consistent. That's why we're going for the gold - our gold Starbucks cards!

Thirty purchases on a Starbucks card gets you a gold card, with your name embossed on it- quite the looker! Once we earn our cards, we do get some bennies - like flavors or different kinds of milk at no extra charge. We get a free drink on our birthdays and every time we purchase 15 drinks once we have our cards. The downside to more people using Starbucks cards for the barristas is that they get fewer tips but a card is easier than cash for all. Also, a pain for the cashier is that we order two drinks separately because we get double the points that way. Getting two drinks or more on one order is only one point.

How do we find Starbucks when traveling? Our primary way is to use the iPhone (and Droid) app, iExit. As you travel an interstate, it lists the upcoming exits and what fuel, food and lodging is available. It primarily lists the major chains. You can also have favorites and then it will notify you when you are near one.

Our GPS also searches for POIs or points of interest. You can't look as far down the road, but if there is one in the area, we can find it that way.

On our trip to Minnesota and back through Colorado, we found Starbucks in some tiny towns. Targets and Safeways often have Starbucks and some towns have those stores that aren't large enough for a stand-alone Starbucks.

Not all Starbucks are convenient for RVs. Guess someone should work on an app for that! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RV Lifestyle Ezine- Are you prepared for a roadside emergency?

Have you gotten a flat tire on a busy road when it was raining? Wouldn't it be nicer to have someone else change your tire? This issue of RV Lifestyle Ezine suggests you take a look at your emergency roadside assistance policy.

Read more about a contest where you can win $50 and a new tool for RVers shopping for an RV in the latest issue. And find out how to get your copy of the ebook Retire to an RV: The Roadmap to Affordable RVing in the Kindle/Nook/iPad version so you can read it on your device. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

MN state parks still closed

On July 1 we tried to visit two Minnesota State Parks. Due to the state government shutdown, they were closed. A recent article said that, as a result, several state parks were vandalized over the 4th of July weekend. Not only is the state losing revenue from park users, but this will cost them when they reopen.

RVDailyReport.com had an announcement that the Three Rivers Parks District is open. The district has several parks in the suburban area west of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We stayed alongside the Baker Park Reserve and walked around the lake a couple of times. It's a pleasant surprise so near a metropolitan area. There is camping, including RV sites with hookups, plus many other recreational activities in this park. On the trail around the lake we crossed over the 45th parallel -meaning we were exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole!

As the press release suggests, these parks are an excellent option if you want to stay near the Twin Cities. See their website, ThreeRiverParks.org, for locations of their parks and facilities at each one. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Higher tolls on Bay area bridges

Tolls for RVs on Bay area bridges in California went up on Friday. Tolls are based on axles, not weights. If you have a dually with a two-axle 5th wheels or five-axles, the toll jumps from $11.25 to $18 on the Bay Bridge and the Antioch, Benicia, Carquinez, Richmond-San Rafael, San Mateo and Dumbarton bridges. A year from now, the big-rig toll rises to $25. Whew! It may be worth going around if you can.

You can read more at the Mercury News. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

A Callithumpian parade, another small town

A callithumpia what? That's what I asked when I saw that Biwabik, a town of about 900 people in northern Minnesota, has one each 4th of July. It's the largest Callithumpian Parade in the area. This was the 114th annual parade!

Callithumpian has a number of definitions, but as it applies to parades, it is "relating to a band of discordant instruments or a noisy parade."

I can only recall seeing two parades and being in one in my life. Yesterday, July 4th, I went to two! The difference between a 4th of July parade and a callithumpian parade? Mostly there were more local, home-style entries.

The parade started out with the Shriners - this group had sand buggies. Then there were 17 fire trucks and emergency vehicles from Biwabik and the surrounding area. Pictured is Lakeland's huge tractor trailer and firefighting vehicle, probably for wildland fires.

 

 

Next came the color guard. Actually there were more American flags in this parade than in Eveleth's 4th of July parade. Miss Biwabik and her court had a colorful float. More floats of royalty came by as well.

A few local acts: hoola hoopers, Liberty with baby.

Uncle Sam on his tractor, 4th of July dog who wanted to walk rather than ride in his wagon.

 

 

Only one high school band marched, though a second raised questions for us. Two girls carried a Biwabik High School Band banner but it was followed by about 30 men whose average age was in their 50s. Were they graduates? The "worm" was definitely a home-grown entry!

 

 

 

 

We expected that the grand finale would be another clown band. That would certainly fit the callithumpian theme. It was not to be. A group of horse brought up the rear. Oops- actually their pooper scoopers brought up the rear.

As you might have guessed, I'm not a big parade goer. But, we thoroughly enjoyed both parades. It's a slice of small town life. It was fun watching the kids scramble for candy and talking to friendly locals. Each of these towns has an interesting history and culture and we got a glimpse. RVers would do well to either park in an RV park or other town and drive to the parade, or come early. The town of Biwabik, for example, has about 900 people but the town swells to 15,000 for the parade.

Keep your eyes and ears open for a callithumpian group or event. They aren't limited to 4th of July. It will be a different experience! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak