I’m working on a new book for 2012. Unlike my other Mississippi River books, this one will not be a travel guide but a collection of stories about the people and places of the Mississippi River. I’m big on putting the river in its broader context, so the chapters in this new book will often
A couple of weeks ago I praised the cities along the Upper Mississippi River with the the best riverfronts. Now it’s time to prod the cities that could do a lot better. I resisted calling these the “Five Worst” because I think any place that provides a decent view of the Mississippi River shouldn’t be
It’s the last day of August, but it feels more like October. The sky is a monotonous grey, and the air has barely warmed above 65° F (18° C); with the light breeze and intermittent mist, I’m wishing I had a sweater. In spite of the clouds and moisture, I’m about to get in
The Minnesota State Fair is a deservedly famous for its kitschy entertainment and bizarre foods.
Welcome to the Fair! I haven’t been to many festivals this summer; timing just hasn’t worked in my favor. Lucky for me, though, I get to make up for it all by going to the granddaddy of festivals: the Minnesota State Fair, the place that made food-on-a-stick famous. This is my first
About twenty miles from Angle Inlet, the only town in the Northwest Angle, the sealed road ends and you jostle and bump along a wide gravel surface the rest of the way. This is better than the way things used to be. Until 1969, there was no all-season road. The Angle may seem remote,
