Spending five weeks together driving across America is a great test of a marriage. We have always done everything together – just not four hundred miles a day for so many days. The results were a stronger relationship, so many more memories together, shared delight in the God moments we witnessed, and a greater appreciation for the beauty of and freedoms enjoyed in America. This was our 2023 journey. We hope you will plan your own…
In St Paul we stayed at Hyatt Place St. Paul Downtown in the waterfront area. It was very special to Merrill that this hotel was once a post office. Her dad would have been so proud. He worked for the post office for so many years. The room was beautiful, clean, spacious, well stocked with a large bathroom. It came with breakfast. 180 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55101.
Two blocks away we were pleased to discover the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. God moment!
Great music, fun people watching, and great food trucks were available all day on multiple stages. Highly recommend. It was a nice overcast day cool enough to enjoy outside. www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com
Our hotel was Park Point Marina Inn. It was away from the crowds on the mainland and right on the water. We had a harbor view room with a balcony. They even offer a free shuttle to the mainland so you can park at the hotel and not worry about parking. 1033 Minnesota Ave., Duluth, MN 55802, www.parkpointmarinainn.com
The drive to Duluth is long with not much to see. We got there in time to see the ArtFest on the Point. Many artists, potters, woodworkers, metal workers, jewelry makers, etc., setup in tents at the end of the island. The quality of the products was excellent.
Vikre Distillery was one of many attractions in Canal Point on the mainland just across the bridge from Park Point. They offered tasting flights of their locally brewed gin, vodka, and craft blends. 525 S Lake Ave #102, Duluth, MN 55802. www.vikredistillery.com
We had dinner at on outstanding Italian restaurant Bellisio’s. It has an old-world elegance that is very comfortable. They offered many different wine flights to enjoy with your meal. 405 Lake Ave. S., Duluth, MN 55802. www.bellisios.com
