Greetings From Duluth - Quilt Show Day

Greetings from Duluth Minnesota. I have always wanted to attend the Minnesota Quilters statewide show and when I saw it was scheduled in Duluth this year I could not pass up the chance. I'm so glad I made the trip. What a great quilt show! There were so many beautiful quilts to see. Before I left for the show I met two quilters in the lobby of the hotel. They invited me to share the show with them.

Marj and Miki, I treasure the time we spent together. Meeting you both was such a gift. We explored each quilt from design, to the exquisite workmanship and use of colors. I always enjoy sharing a quilt show through the eyes of other quilters. I learn so much. I hope, dear ladies, our paths cross again.

At lunchtime a quick trip across this footbridge took me from the DECC convention center to the Canal Park area. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the first shop across the bridge. I bet the quilters kept them busy!!

Canal Park is so much fun to visit. The city's effort at urban renewal has gone a long way, making this area a must see destination. Old warehouses and shipping docks now house restaurants, shops, hotels and movie theaters.

This photo shows a shot of the convention center on the left about a block away. The Waters of Superior is a wonderful art gallery. I mentioned this shop in a previous post. They just started carrying my quilt block jewelry.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of my wares in with so many other beautiful pieces. I am humbled to have my products accepted here.

In the distance you can see two water cisterns on top of what was once an old hardware supply warehouse. This building has been converted in the Hawthorne Suites Hotel. Inside you can see evidence of the building's history, from the wood grain embedded in the concrete ceilings and supports to the massive safe in the entryway. This building once housed one of the largest hardware distributors in the US.

I love the detail in old brick buildings. It is rare to see this type of construction used today. (Can you tell my day job involves commercial construction projects?)

Another look up the road toward the aerial lift bridge that spans the shipping canal in the Duluth Harbor.

P.S. On my way north I made a stop off in Eau Claire. Click here to see a bit about Tangled Up In Hue.

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful

Sorry to start my post with this out of focus shot of Jack but I just couldn't resist sharing this picture of our snow puppy. This shot was taken on Friday morning after we received 8" of snow overnight with a total of 12" by the time the weather broke.





Saturday brought more snow and a choice, do I travel in the snow or wait until Sunday when 30 mile per hour winds were forecast? I chose the snow. The 9 hour trip took 14 hours. It is good to be home safe and warm. Next year my son is getting a bus ticket for Christmas...

As you travel north of where we live the land levels out quite a bit. There are rolling hills and the occasional limestone outcropping. Into the Northwoods the roads are lined with pine trees, oak and birch as far as the eye can see. It was too snowy to capture the distant tree lined hills today. I had also hoped for some pretty shots of Lake Superior but had to settle for this freighter in drydock and a grain storage facility in Superior, WI. Duluth Harbor, located between Duluth Minnesota and Superior Wisconsin, is the largest and the farthest western port on the Great Lakes. The chief exports from Duluth Harbor are grains from the US and Canada, coal and iron ore. Here is a link to the Lake Superior Martime Mueseum's webcam. Not much action today.

Here is a link to some quick facts about Lake Superior. There are so many beautiful places to see along the shore line. More about that on another visit.