The Best Roads in the World

Out on Highway 61, Bob Dylan sang about it, but little is said in his lyrics that can explain the draw for him or to everyone that lives within reach of that special highway. Like Bob Dylan I grew up in northern Minnesota, I've traveled that highway for almost 50 years, its like no other highway in the world.

Leaving Duluth, the largest city in Northern Minnesota you head north east through the area of the city richest in the history of Iron Ore Mining and Rail Road Moguls. The Congdon mansion, built in 1908 it's the scene of one of Duluth's more famous murders. Now a museum operated by the University of Minnesota, a fine example of Jacobean Revival Architecture .

Headed on along the North Shore of Lake Superior toward Two Harbors. Old Hwy 61 runs right along the waters edge for most of the twenty miles. A spectacular view of the deepest and largest fresh water lake in the world. So large it appears to be a true ocean as early on in your voyage you loose sight of the opposite shore line. The water is a bright clean shade of crystal blue, pollution seems impossible. Be sure to stop at Russ Kendall's smoked fish shop on the way, smoked Cisco's will taste great when you stop at one of the many little picnic spots you'll be passing.

Two Harbors, the two Iron Ore loading docks protrude well out into the bay. Train cars back down on top of the 100' high trestles with their load of taconite. Towering over the huge ships they are destined to fill, when they end their journey, reaching out almost 2,000 feet into the harbor their bellies open sending their cargo down a chute into the huge ships known as laker's because they never leave the Great Lakes.

Onward we go, Silver Cliffs a high bluff right on the edge of the lake, before the highway was rebuilt in the late 1980's this area was the scene of many tragic accidents. Falling rocks, crossing the center line, ice on the road. Now there is a well lit tunnel avoiding the rocky edge of the precipice. Further up the highway is another tunnel built during the same period, now the highway is a modern safe structure that easily handles the thousands of tourists that came to see the beauty.

Wild life, deer abound everywhere, in the cities, on the highways, recent years have seen our deer population exploding. Traveling along the north shore at dusk or dawn you will see hundreds of deer. It's not uncommon to count well over 100 deer within a 50 mile stretch. Be aware, they aren't to bright and many get killed by cars and trucks. Many other types of wild life live here as well, if your really lucky you might see a moose grazing along the highway, raccoons, porcupines are a common sight as well.

Along the highway there is an endless array of Lodges, Inns, Resorts, and Campgrounds. Some going back to the 1920's and some modern resorts. Whether it's an old fashion log lodge with a huge stone fireplace and large over stuffed leather furniture or a sleek modern look with fine dining and all the modern conveniences , you will find it all on Highway 61.

Split Rock Lighthouse, the guiding light for sailors of the past . A beacon of safety showing the way for ships the likes of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The gales of November are a regular concern for ships crossing Lake Superior. Because of its great depth the water remains very cold year around. Split Rock Lighthouse was decommissioned in the 1960's, like many other things it is now a museum open for tours throughout the summer months. Restored and maintained as it was back when the Coast Guard operated it.

Highway 61, Bob Dylan and I both have deep feelings about this stretch of road. Come see it for yourself, find the mysterious draw it will have on your soul, it's a trip worth making many times