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July 21, 2016 This newsletter is brought to you by Pedal Minnesota. On the water in West DuluthOn the once-gritty St. Louis River, boaters and birders enjoy the scenery.
In Duluth, there's water — a lot of water — beyond the big lake and the Aerial Lift Bridge. The St. Louis River is the largest U.S. tributary to Lake Superior, and it creates a huge estuary as it approaches the lake. Fishermen and bird-watchers have frequented it for years, and more are showing up as the water becomes cleaner. Sturgeon have come back, eagles nest, and 70 percent of the birds seen in Minnesota come through on fall and spring migrations. The St. Louis also is a state water trail, and paddlers like to explore the many peninsulas and islands. They can even hitch a ride on the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad and return by canoe or kayak, for a Choo Choo Paddle. Best bets for the weekendBeat the heat with cool water and a cold treat.
Even towns on Lake Superior are sizzling this week, but there are ways to cheat the heat: Sit under a waterfall, go whitewater rafting or tour a cave, where the temperature is always 48. You'll see lots of splashing at the St. Croix Riverfest in Hudson, Wis., which includes log-rolling and paddleboard demos, and at the Wisconsin State/Regional Water Ski Show Championships in Wisconsin Rapids. The heat gives you a license to eat lots of shakes and sundaes, and many mom-and-pop soft-serve stands are heaping them with fresh raspberries and strawberries. And you can sample lots of cold craft beer at festivals in Milwaukee and Duluth, where you can cool down afterward at one of our favorite swimming holes. In Minneapolis, it's time for Aquatennial and also the grand opening and open house at the climate-controlled Vikings stadium. Tours start next month, and the $19 tickets are going fast. State fairs are coming up, but if you can't wait, see racing pigs and stunt shows this weekend at the Dane County Fair in Madison and Kane County Fair in St. Charles, Ill. There are also 10 county fairs in Minnesota and 29 in Iowa. Football training camps start next week, with free admission to practices and fan fests. For a bonus, go to see the Minnesota Vikings in Mankato during RibFest and the Packers in Green Bay before the Tall Ships Festival. Next weekendEnter the world of Norwegians and lumberjacks.
Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa. It's the 50th year of this friendly, authentic, very fun and very large festival of Scandinavian culture. The parade is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. July 28-30. Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wis. You can't see this kind of thing just anywhere: cut-throat log rolling, boom running, springboard chopping and speed climbing. July 28-30. German Fest in Milwaukee. Look for dachshunds, dirndls and lots of oompah music at this big party on Lake Michigan. July 29-31. Riverboat Days in Wabasha, Minn. There's a lighted boat parade Friday, and on Saturday a pedal tractor pull, duck derby, water fight and 6 p.m. parade. July 29-30. For more events, see our Events Calendar. (A word from our sponsor) Touring the Twin Cities on two wheels You can leave your car parked while exploring Minneapolis and St. Paul, because they have more bicycle-friendly attractions than you can shake a spoke at. With rows of baseball-shaped bike racks alongside Target Field and purple, football-shaped racks at the new U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis is built for going places. From the stadiums, follow the Mississippi on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, crossing on the Dinkytown Greenway, and you'll soon be at Surly Beer Hall & Restaurant, a longtime supporter of pedal-heads that lends bike locks to its guests. Continue along the UM Transitway and you'll reach the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, where bicyclists get VIP parking. In nearby Como Park, pull up for a free lakefront concert and a meal at Como Dockside. If you need a bike, pick one up at 190 Nice Ride stations. There's even a bike center with showers on the Midtown Greenway across Minneapolis, next to Midtown Global Market, a hive of bike-friendly restaurants and a brewery that's one of eight on the Aug. 6 Craft Beer Pedaler. There's so much to do by bike in the Twin Cities — plan a trip now!
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