Big Zuchinni's and Tall Ships

The answer to the age old question: "what to do with those big zuchinni's?" well, stuff them of course! We got a few of these fresh beauties from Peggy's Dad when we visited. I cooked some white rice with cloves, olive oil and spice, then browned up some lean beef, toasted some slivered almonds and diced ripe olives.. After hollowing out the squash, I stuffed it firmly with the clove and spiced mixture, wrapped it in foil and baked it for about 1 1/2 hour at 375. The cool part is serving... sliced into attractive rings and topped with a luscious white sauce with spice, herbs and clove. Picture of that later!

To celebrate my Birthday, Sweet Peggy my Love decided that we go to Duluth, hang out, eat treats, drink good coffee and for a surprise, take a harbor cruise on the Vista!

A beautiful day for a road-trip, we headed east to McGregor
for the WONDEROUS baked goods in the Bake Shop there.
Stomachs gurgling as we approached, ready to order.... I love good baked goods and these are the finest I can remember having, certainly in Minnesota or these parts. We had a cream cheese filled maple croisant with toasted walnuts, fresh blueberry Danish, chocolate fudge topped cream bismark and carrot cake. We also got a loaf of "honey corn bread" for lunchtime snacking.

We nibbled as we traveled to the Tourist info station on 35w. We were told basically, that we had picked a very bad time to hang out in Duluth, if we could even get there... 35 is completely tore up, gone, and there were over 100,000 extra people down at the canal for the "Tall Ships".

Bravely, we decided to forage on and just see what could happen, and ready to accept whatever. Slow driving for sure through the 1 lane construction barricaded gravely area, we got to our exit in about 20 minutes, pulled off to Canal Park and FOUND A SPOT in the lot to park... Whallah! it was meant to be! Right in the middle of the crowd and all the tall ships, there we were, blessed and lucky to experience this little miracle.

We walked around to loosen up after the drive, bought some cheese, pepper jelly and sausage for our bread lunch and poked our heads into a few shops while watching the fun crowd, a tall ship sailing in the harbor and enjoying the day.





These pictures are on the Vista cruise boat, again lucky to get on, Peggy had made online reservations but we were literally the last 2 to board.... the crowd we had to pass through to get to the gang-plank was awesome!

Cooling off, breezy and wonderful, we got incredible views of the Tall Ship extravaganza and then back into the harbor to see some history and where the bigger freighters are loaded and unloaded..... Way Cool!



It sure didn't look like we picked the wrong day to go to Duluth as we situated ourselves in this perfect, prime parking spot in the heart of the action!










Incredible lunch as we tore into the loaf, opened the jelly and smeared the delice de bourgogne cheese onto the honey corn bread. We selected this cheese as it was ripe and soft and was supposed to have a honey-like taste... some of the best cheese I've ever had and it went perfectly with our spicy jam picnic lunch as we sat on the ledge under the Aerial Lift Bridge!







Peggy got right up to the Bounty, the actual tall ship from the "Mutiny on the Bounty" and was also Capt. Jack Sparow's ship in Pirates.

Like perfect timing, everywhere we went, just being together in Duluth to celebrate was wonderful enough, and all this other stuff was a bonus.

2 of the ships were taking lucky passengers out into the harbor... out on the lake, there were strong breezes and waves on top of surges... must have been quiet a ride. Hard to imagine these boats out on the oceans, one from the
Netherlands, one from Baltimore, a world traveling research ship, a sailor training vessel and others, only one was confined to just the great lakes.

I'm standing at the stern of the Vista, a few drops of refreshing rain as we chugged out for a look at Duluth from the greatest of all lakes. A tall ship is behind us, and there was a freighter waiting to come in and load 9000 tons of wheat. Always something fun to learn in Duluth.









Peggy and I threaded through to the bow as we reentered the port to go under the little draw bridge at the end of our little cruise. What an incredible view of the Tall Ships, Duluth and the fun crowd of people. The cloud cover kept things just a tiny bit chilled and refreshing, way better than the searing heat and humidity that could have taken over the day.







Candy Apples next, we went into the candy shop to get a treat to munch as we strolled through stores featuring local artworks. I had a Tiger Stripe Apple, caramel, peanut butter and chocolate thick dipped over a granny smith, and Peggy had a Caramel Toasted Cashew dipped granny smith.... juicy and wonderful, they started a few conversations and comments from passer's by as we strolled.. ah, twas a lovely sight indeed!

Not wanting to get back too late, we drove north a bit, walked around Glensheen a few minutes to get a feel for what we may do next trip, and then headed back towards Brainerd... traffic was briefly a bit worse than when arrived, but soon we were heading west on 210 through Aitkin county.

I felt then and still do, younger than before my birthday, still celebrating too, all that life has to offer. Peggy really outdid herself with these surprises and ideas for me! Yippee!

Peace!