An easy half day’s drive through northern Minnesota gave us a chance to learn more about the iron mining industry in one of the world’s most important iron-producing areas, the Mesabi Range. From a highway overlook we peered down into a lake occupying a former open-pit iron mine (the mining waste is not toxic and the Biwabik aquifer filled the depression with clean water).
We then spent most of the afternoon at the Minnesota Discovery Center, with its very interesting museum and other attractions. The highlight for Amy was talking at length with a woman demonstrating weaving on a couple of large Scandinavian looms built over 100 years ago (Amy got to weave on one loom for a while).
The museum also had excellent exhibits on Minnesota geology, local history, and iron mining methods over the years.
Paul and Amy – my good friends Steve and Nancy Piragis live in Ely MN. Steve runs an outdoor store called Piragis Northwoods, and they both opened a restaurant years ago called The Chocolate Moose in Ely and recently sold it to the employees. If you stop into the store or restaurant, look up Steve or Nancy and give them my best. They could also provide advice on local features to check out that you might not be aware of. Mark