That’s the Truth, Duluth!

This PORTRAIT is superior.
This PORTRAIT is superior.

We decided to take a little trip on our long weekend for the Fourth of July.

Mommy booked a hotel in Duluth, Minnesota since we’d never been there before. It was the Holiday Inn and we had a pretty good view, even though it looked down over the parking lot.

Is that the Liftbridge?
Is that the Liftbridge?

Our trip was fun. Daddy goofed around with you while Mommy drove. You played your Nabi tablet much of the way and really couldn’t stand having your shoes on.

Daddy is a goof.
Daddy is a goof. (This picture is in reverse, by the way)
Who needs shoes to ride?
Who needs shoes to ride?

Our first night was pretty mellow. We just got to the room, had dinner and crashed. The king sized bed really agreed with you.

Zzzzzzzzzz...
Zzzzzzzzzz…

The next day (July 4th), we went to Canal Park.  We started by heading into a toy store that kept you interested for a while.  You also found some great fountains along the way and you practically begged mommy to let you get soaking wet in them.

Just Moosing around...
Just Moosing around…
Careful, mommy!
Careful, mommy!
Water was the theme of the day!
Water was the theme of the day!
MINE!
MINE!
I'll just get a LITTLE wet, mom. Promise...
I’ll just get a LITTLE wet, mom. Promise…

We walked around Lake Superior and you were pleased to get to run up and down the boardwalk. We also saw some big boats, a lighthouse, the Liftbridge in action and a sunken pier!

Lighthouse ahoy!
Lighthouse ahoy!
The Cribs in Lake Superior
The Cribs in Lake Superior

You were dying for pizza (as usual), so we stopped and had some for lunch.

Lemonade and Pizza? Perfect.
Lemonade and Pizza? Perfect.

Before your nap, we went swimming. As soon as you got your swim diaper on, you were ready to go, but we had to make sure you were appropriately dressed. You joked around and had a great time in the kiddy pool with Daddy. You even swam with him (a little bit) in the big pool.

Ready for the pool!
Ready for the pool!
WAAAATERRRRR
WAAAATERRRRR

Later that day, we went to Two Harbors to see what was there. It had a small train museum, but you got bored with it quickly and had a minor meltdown. We had to get you some food quickly, so we went back to a place called Tom’s Logging Camp. It was a much better distraction, since you got to see lots of things and the cafe (called “Tom’s Too”) was nice, cool and quiet.

I'd like a ticket to Ontario, please!
Where the dickens is that train?
Mommy is silly!
Mommy is silly!
Lantern? More like Antlern.
Lantern? More like Antlern.

Before we left, you mentioned that Vanna White was on vacation in Duluth. So when we got to the room that night, you decided you wanted to talk to here. Here’s the result:

A phone call from Miss Vanna.

Oh, Vanna, you are awesome!

The next day, we took you to the Lake Superior Zoo. It was fairly small, but you had a great time. You got to pet rabbits and goats. You saw a huge frog and turtle (not real ones) and you had the time of your life riding on a little “zoo train”. Even though it lasted less than ten minutes, you talked about it the rest of the day.

This zoo is for the birds!
This zoo is for the birds!
Peter? Is that you?
Peter? Is that you?
Ouch! This is hot!
Ouch! This is hot!
Nice cool frog eyes... ahhh.
Nice cool frog eyes… ahhh.
Halt there, train!
Halt there, train!
Just my speed.
Just my speed.
Faster, please! Again, please!
Faster, please! Again, please!

You also got to play on the zoo playground which had some really fun things to do.

Ahhh, the shade.
Ahhh, the shade.
Snaaaaaaaake!
Snaaaaaaaake!
Lady Bugs make the best carriages.
Lady Bugs make the best cars.

Taking the reigns at the LadyBug Rodeo.

Finally, we ate some Indian Food, which is perpetually one of your favorites.

On Saturday we packed up and left the hotel, but the fun didn’t end. We decided to go to the old railroad depot in Duluth where there was a great train museum.  You and mommy climbed on trains and marveled at them while daddy shot pictures. There were all sorts of steam engines, train cars and machinery, along with an entire depot of “stores” which were decorated to look the way they would in the late nineteenth century. By the time we were done there, you were all tired out and had your nap too early.

Whoa...
Whoa…
THIS WAY, MOM!
THIS WAY, MOM!
Toy trains
Toy trains
Let's shop here!
Let’s shop here!
Trains are so... zzzzzzzz.
Trains are so… zzzzzzzz.
Red, White & Blue mommy!
Mommy’s got your back!

We also went back to Canal Park for a bit and had some Vietnamese food which you seemed to like. We also went into a store called Spirit Bay which had some pretty crazy Native American stuff on the walls. You liked the buffalo the best.

IMG_6999

Buffalo head
Buffalo head

On the way home, daddy made yet ANOTHER stop at “The Fires of 1918 Museum” in Moose Lake, MN. It was a small exhibit run by a local historical society, but you’d pretty much had enough of musty smelling buildings with antiques in them. And to be honest, mommy probably had too.

Yes, daddy... this looks great. *yawn*
Yes, daddy… this looks great. *yawn*

We also decided to stop at a convenient outlet mall to get you some new shoes, since your tennies had caused tiny blisters on your toes.  She also got you some new overalls and clothes which look great!

You had another meltdown which could only be settled by having a sandwich at the outlet cafe which turned out to be surprisingly good. We got to eat on a big, soft couch while watching Disney movies and you had a peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

The rest of the trip went smoothly and we spent the final Sunday of our little break at home.

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Bart H.

artist, photographer, gamer, father, nerd.

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