Getting Vertical!

All right, let’s face it, even though we live in the “Greatest Outdoor Town in the US” we don’t always want to be outside. For instance, when it’s -15 out, going out for a quick jog doesn’t sound that appealing to most.

We have limited options: 1. binge watch the latest installment of whatever new series is on Netflix; or 2. search around for something active to do while staying warm and toasty indoors. One unique activity for option 2 would be Vertical Endeavors! It’s located in the back of the Adventure Zone in Canal Park. They have everything you need to scale the tallest peak (around 4 stories!). Their climbing walls are fantastic and it doesn’t matter what your experience level (or lack thereof). They have options for intermediate to expert, with options for the kids as well! Want a really unique challenge? Check out the awesome bouldering cave! Shorter walls where the intent is to move horizontally and around obstacles as well as vertically!

The staff there is also wonderful! They are extremely knowledgeable and you can tell they just love climbing and want to share their excitement of the thrill of the climb. They will help with your rentals, give you pointers, and belay as you climb. (Belaying is the person that assists ropes up with you so you have a safe climb.) There are also auto-belay courses as well.

Take it from someone who can be a little scared of heights; reaching the top of one of the walls is exhilarating! It’s challenging, rewarding, and a BLAST!

So while the Duluth City Council is debating on creating an outside climbing park, rope up and get some practice!

How Sweet (and Savory!) It Is!

How Sweet It Is has moved into their new location in the Holiday Center/Skywalk. Making it much easier for quite a few of us who wader the skywalk for lunch, which can be much more convenient compared to their old location in the Medical Arts Building.

If you haven’t had one of their sandwiches yet, you have not had the pleasure of experiencing these amazing hand crafted mast pieces. Course, if you are one that does not like options, or are very indecisive, you will need to allow yourself a little extra time to decide. Do plan your lunch break accordingly. Why? On a typical day they have six different kinds of breads from the plain grain to the wild, Cranberry wild rice to the deliciously hot “inferno” bread. Then you have to pick your meat, cheese, and veggies. It’s a lot like Subway but way way better. Actually, I take that back. The only way it’s like Subway is they both have options for your sandwich! How Sweet only sources their ingredients from local places (when possible) which means fresh ingredients, and supporting local farmers.
Today, I had a turkey-bacon (oh yea!) on freshly sliced Cranberry wild rice bread with pepper jack cheese and cucumbers, spinach and their amazing garlic spread. Great, great sandwich. The heat of the cheese and garlic balance well with the sweetness of the cranberry’s, that simply reminds you that desert is waiting. This was just my combo today. The best part is with all the varieties, you could make a different sandwich and not have the same one for 5,824 days. (That's 15 years!)

The best part, (besides the cupcake, cakes, cookies, macaroons….) is it’s very reasonably priced. With my regular sandwich, chips, pickle, beverage, and Pumpkin Spice Rumchata cupcake (oh yea, It’s a thing!), all of which only came to $13.15. Not bad since Chipotle or Subway can put you back closer to $14.00 and you can't get a Pumpkin Spice Rumchata at Chipotle!

So eat Great. Eat Local. And save a little in the process. Everybody wins!

What are we doing?

When you are driving downtown, or on top of the hill one thing you notice is there is a lot going on in our “Shinning city on the hill.” (thank you David Ross). We have come a long way since the 80’s and 90’s, when most of the time you would turn on the news and hear about some old business leaving or whatnot. That is not the Duluth we have today, but we all knew that. The fact that there is over a Billion dollars worth of improvements/construction going on in our city clearly proves that fact.

That still doesn’t answer the main question: “What are we doing with a site called We Are Duluth?” Well, that’s an excellent question. To which I have too many ideas, and/or answers. Therefore the plan is to be an evolving place for Duluthians to visit and celebrate everything that our great city has to offer. (How’s that for being vague!) So far, what I foresee is a bit of everything, food, drink, play, and clubs/groups (which will be a place to showcase our great social clubs/groups such as COGGS, Rotary(s), Junior League etc.) And yes, there will be photography. (So also check us out on Instagram)

Only time will tell what this site and city will evolve into, either way we are going to have a lot of fun! Because, (to quote our new Mayor Emily Larson), “We across this city. We are hope. We are progress. We are resilience. And We Are Duluth.”