SPRING/SUMMER 2019 UNIQUE LODGING PAGE 4 MOUNTAIN BIKING PAGE 6 WINONA FESTIVALS PAGE 10 MORE INFO 888-VISITMN • 888-847-4866 • EXPLOREMINNESOTA.COM 2 SPRING/SUMMER 2019 1.877.44.STAGE guthrietheater.org A swashbuckling romance Cyrano de Bergerac Now – May 5 by EDMOND ROSTAND adapted and directed by JOSEPH HAJ UNIQUE LODGING .....................................4 TWIN CITIES MOUNTAIN BIKING .................6 EVENTS CALENDAR ....................................8 WINONA FESTIVALS .................................10 ARTS CALENDAR ...................................... 14 THE GREAT NORTHWEST ........................... 16 SPORTS CALENDAR ................................. 18 COUNTY FAIRS ....................................... 19 A visually stunning masterpiece In Minnesota, True North is more than a direction; it’s a feeling. No matter which path you take, Metamorphoses you’re destined to Find Your True North. April 13 – May 19 based on the myths of OVID written and directed by MARY ZIMMERMAN from the translation by DAVID R. SLAVITT EXPLORE MINNESOTA 121 7TH PLACE EAST, SUITE 360, ST. PAUL, MN 55101, USA Director John Edman Editors Brian Fanelli, Erica Wacker The perfect musical comedy Photo Editor Melanie Graves Calendar Coordinator Wes Grosslein Guys and Dolls ©2019 Explore Minnesota, an office of the State of Minnesota. All rights reserved. June 22 – Aug 25 Published by: Explore Minnesota in partnership with the Star Tribune. A Musical Fable of Broadway To advertise in this section, please contact Michelle Ladyzhynsky based on a story and characters at 612-673-4507 or [email protected] of DAMON RUNYON Minnesota Explorer is published three times a year. Contact the music and lyrics by FRANK LOESSER editor for permission to reprint any part of this issue. Not for resale. On request, information in this issue will be made available book by JO SWERLING and ABE BURROWS in alternative formats to those with visual impairments. directed by KENT GASH FOR COPIES OF THE MINNESOTA EXPLORER, CALL TOLL-FREE 888-VISITMN OR 888-847-4866 Sponsored by EXPLOREMINNESOTA.COM PHOTOS: Tipi camping at Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne, photo by Jim Henderson (cover); Father Hennepin State Park in Isle, photo by Mille Lacs Area Tourism (above) 3 SPRING/SUMMER 2019 TECH-ING THROUGH THE GREAT OUTDOORS BY LORENA ARMSTRONG-DUARTE inding activities that everyone in your family deems Ffun is a challenge. It certainly is in my household, which balances the interests of two boys under 5, an introverted writer mom and a nature-loving archaeologist Geocaching at Whitewater State Park, photos courtesy MN DNR dad. And because one of our sons is on the autism spectrum, crowded spaces and new experiences pose a challenge. You log your found caches, pick up fun mementos Enter geocaching. In its simplest terms, geocaching is and can even make your own caches for others to find. a scavenger hunt, one done using your cell phone or a GPS Geocaching makes for outings that are exciting, unique, device. It’s a global phenomenon with millions of active caches and often take you to unexpected places. all over the world—and thousands right here in Minnesota. In Minnesota, we’re fortunate to have a great deal of Caches can be anything from a simple log with a guestbook, natural beauty to explore, and the Minnesota Department to a box containing small toys, stickers, coins or other swag. of Natural Resources uses geocaching as a way to encourage Seeking out hidden treasure must be hardwired into the everyone to get out into nature. human genome, because no matter the circumstances, all There are 82 geocaches hidden at Minnesota state parks four of us get positively giddy when we find a cache. The and trails, and the DNR allows people to rent GPS kits free boys want to see the cool toys and trinkets inside the cache, of charge. They also curate special geocaching adventures, while the grownups get to smugly check off the elusive like the current Aquatic Quest, that focus on a specific geocache as “found.” topic. Past adventures have included everything from the Geocaching has been particularly valuable for our son on Geocaching History Challenge (where collectible cards the spectrum. Like almost half of all kids on the spectrum, provided fun facts about the history of the location where he exhibits “wandering behavior,” which means he will they were found) to the Geocaching Wildlife Safari (where wander off, run away, and not stop when you tell him. cards focused on the animals that live in that habitat). Geocaching has helped curb that behavior greatly, because it Of course, not everyone is a nature buff, and that’s OK combines a lot of the things that many kids on the spectrum as far as geocaching is concerned. Urban geocaches can be love: technology, a clearly defined goal and a reward at the as challenging and fun as any found in a state park, and end. It is every occupational therapist’s dream, and for our you’ll find them everywhere from humble playgrounds to family, it has been a complete game changer. distinguished historic buildings. So how do you get started? The easiest way to play is to “Travel bugs” are another variation on geocaching that download the official Geocaching app (available on Android is especially fun for road trips. Think of travel bugs like and iPhone). While there is a premium membership with game pieces moving across a board—each bug has a goal added features, the free version has everything you need to (“this travel bug wants to go to Duluth”), and it’s your job get started and can keep you busy for years to come. to carry the bug for part or all of its journey. The app will show you a map of all the caches in your So whether you’re planning your family’s next camping area. Pick one and the app will get you close, but not too trip or an urban adventure, be sure to check for geocaches close: After all, the fun is in checking behind trees, looking along the way or at your destination. Be it down the block under logs, and combing the ground for the hidden cache or across the state, geocaching will give you new insights— and its unknown contents. If the cache contains swag, take Park staff helps a young geocacher at Fort Snelling State Park and a whole lot of fun—no matter where you explore. ■ what you want and leave something else behind—an old toy your kids no longer play with, for example. 4 The Covington Inn on The Historic Calumet Inn the St. Paul riverfront, in Pipestone photo by Altamish Osman SLEEP IN A TUGBOAT, HAUNTED HOTEL & MORE UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS BY ERICA WACKER comfy bed, a quiet room and a hot shower are at the PARK LODGING Guests of the Jailhouse Historic Inn in Preston can stay in top of many travelers’ lists when looking for a place the former sheriff’s quarters, the detention room or even the A The only full-service lodge within a Minnesota state park, to stay. But for those seeking a truly unique experience, cell block, which sleeps up to five “inmates” in semi-private Douglas Lodge at Itasca State Park was built in 1905 and many lodging properties throughout Minnesota offer jail cells. Other former jails have been turned into B&Bs in features a spacious lobby and stone fireplace, with additional sleeping quarters, history and other quirks that can’t be Wykoff and Taylors Falls. lodging in suites and cabins nearby. There’s no need to found anywhere else. Moored on the Mississippi River with the St. Paul skyline rough it here, with a restaurant that serves three meals a day, as its backdrop, the Covington Inn is one of the country’s few HISTORIC INNS wireless Internet access, and heat and air conditioning. floating bed-and-breakfasts. Each of the four rooms feature A 13-mile boat ride is the only way to reach the historic Part of the historic 1885 Fitger’s complex, which includes private baths, deck access and fireplaces, and breakfast is Kettle Falls Hotel, located within Voyageurs National the brewery, multiple restaurants, shops and a salon, Fitger’s cooked in the galley and served in the stately salon. Park near the Canadian border. Built in 1910 by a timber Inn in Duluth boasts unique guestrooms with views of either The oldest continually operating lighthouse on the North baron, the hotel has a storied past, particularly during the the city or Lake Superior. Step outside for direct access to the Shore of Lake Superior was transformed into the Lighthouse Prohibition days, and the original on-site saloon retains Lakewalk, where Canal Park and the Duluth Rose Garden B&B in 1999, with three rooms in the keeper’s quarters its uneven wood floors with pockmarks from the loggers’ are a 15-minute stroll in either direction. plus the skiff house a few steps away. Maintained by the hobnail boots. Opened in the 1920s as an exclusive private club, Grand Lake County Historical Society, the lighthouse’s beacon still Marais’ Naniboujou Lodge now welcomes guests to bask in TRAINS, BOATS & AUTOMOBILES flashes three times a minute, 24/7, and the light tower and the beauty both inside and surrounding the property. With You don’t have to ride the rails to experience life on the two other buildings on the property are open for tours. Lake Superior on one side and Judge C.R. Magney State Park train. In addition to rooms in the main house and cottage, Most of the rooms at Winona’s Express Suites Riverport on the other, the lodge offers a respite from daily life, with the Whistle Stop Bed & Breakfast in New York Mills has four Inn are standard hotel fare, with the exception of two: The no phones, TVs, Wi-Fi or reliable cellphone service.