A bit about the Minnesota that extends beyond the twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul area. It comprises about 90% of the state, but only half the population. Minnesota´s state motto is “Land of 10´000 Lakes” for good reason. Lakes are everywhere, large and small. Fishing is a very popular pastime, with plenty of bass, walleye, sunfish, crappies, northern pike, and even an occasional sturgeon. With lakes come rivers. Minnesota has their share.
The main rivers are the Mississippi, Minnesota, Red and St Croix. The headwaters of the Mississippi begin near Itaska in the north. Fly-fishing for trout in the numerous streams is especially popular in the south. In the winter the lakes and rivers are used for ice fishing. Many lakes have small icehouses scattered over them. Some of these houses can be quite elaborite, just like small furnished cabins, except these have several holes in the floor. Other people ice fish in the open-air, braving the unobstructed winds. Crazy! The rich soil is what attracted immigrants, mostly Swedes and Germans, to the territory in the early 1800´s. The agricultural and dairy industry is vital to the state´s economy. Corn and wheat fields cover much of Minnesota, along with the numerous small towns generated by the extensive farm community. It also gave reason for the many county fairs throughout the state.
The huge Minnesota State Fair is held annualy in St Paul. It last 11 days and ends on the Labor Day holiday, signifying the end of summer. Duluth is a beautiful port city on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Duluth became powerful in the transport of taconite or iron ore that was mined extensively in northern Minnesota for many years. Duluth now is more popular as a tourist city. The northern border of Minnesota meets Canada. It is mostly a land of dense forests and many lakes. It gets very, very cold up there. A large section in the northeast is devoted to the National Boundry Waters Canoe Area or BWCA. It is a protected area, no motorized boats allowed. People who trek deep into the area can feel like the early explorers as long as a jet isn´t flying overhead. There are dozens of state and national parks and forests all over Minnesota, along with several Indian reservations. A great deal of land is protected, so Minnesota´s greatest natural resource, nature, is in good hands. Minnesota became a state in 1857.
The state bird is the loon, although many will argue that it is the mosquito. The state flower is the lady slipper. Winters can be a nightmare, especially in the north, but the stories have been exaggerated to a degree. It´s not that bad. Dressing properly is the key. Houses are heated and insulated well. I can tell you this, my two winters in Chile, without snow or sub-zero temperatures have been just as cold as my Minnesota winters in their own way. We don´t have central heating here, and haven´t even used a space heater this year, but it certainly is chilly in the house at night.
In Minnesota, if you get a chill, you just turn the thermostat up a bit. Very comfortable inside, even on the coldest nights. Driving in snow storms and snow removal are two devils that have to be dealt with. Several people flop over and die each year from heart attacks while shoveling snow off their driveways and sidewalks. If you do suffer from health problems, Minnesota is the place to be. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester is world reknown. Health care is given a high priority. Minnesota is a leader in drug rehabilitation.
One final note: Minnesota leads the nation in golfers per capita. Thanks for reading,
Gagu