Unlikely Travelers

Travelers down old Highway 61 in Duluth, Minnesota may be startled by these unusual animals. Note: "Take One"-- just a brochure with information from the artist, if anyone is interested in this kind of lawn decoration. Local, national, or international treasures await the observant traveler!

Duluth Again!

We took the grandkids to Duluth for the week-end and made our usual visit to Canal Park after getting a schedule of the ships' arrivals and departures from the daily posted Shipping News. For more information about the Maritime Museum in Duluth operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers, visit my other blog, kate-musings.

Mazatlán, México

Very excited! Just rented a house in Mazatlán, México for 3 months in 2007. I'll be able to get away from a Minnnesota winter for awhile. It'll be so much fun!

Does Minneapolis Count?

Since getting to Minneapolis takes approximately five minutes from my house, does it count as a travel destination?! This is the 3rd Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River at dusk.

Duluth Minnesota July 2006

Canal Park in Duluth Minnesota is a favorite spot for tourists to visit, coming from surrounding states and far-flung places. Canal Park has many motels and hotels, restaurants. and a plethora of shops. But, the most interesting for our family at least has been the ocean traffic that brings freighters to Duluth Harbor from many countries. While enjoying the weather, the flowers (above) and the food, the draw aways seems to be the water and the boats.

Duluth boats

Freighters and tugs and pleasure craft all visit Duluth Harbor. The romance of ships, whether they are utilitarian or used for sheer joy of nature, mesmerizes everyone, young and old. The logs on this boat were so numerous in number that most onlookers were stunned as it made its way from Lake Superior to a berth in the harbor. The logs came from Thunder Bay, Ontario and were to be unloaded and sent to various parts of the United States, and perhaps elsewhere.

Spring Break with a Grandmother-2005 Puerto Villarta

Benefactor

The Benefactee


One of the spray paint artists and some of the paintings. Dom bought his first piece of art here.



Roberto, Dom's favorite vendor

Friends and Streets in Puerto Vallarta 2005

Because I have been busy visiting as many different corners of the world as possible, I had lost sight of how much I loved México after my first visit there while I was still young and single. As a typical tourist I went to México City (it was lovely then!), Acapulco, Taxco, and Cuernavaca. I returned with a resolve to go back and learn more. But, other life-decisions altered that intention. In February of 2005, Jaime and I were invited to spend some time in Puerto Vallarta with friends (see below), and I quickly picked up where I had left off. Since then I have been in PV twice, Cancun once, Guadalajara once, and Mazatlán twice--not bad! I fully intend to continue...unless something else catches my eye!! Since I haven't been to the colonial mountain cities, I suppose that could be my next stop. Then again, I've been intrigued with Sicily lately........

Jaime making a point during lunch.



Jaime relaxing.

Mmm! Cuban Cigars!!

School Scenes Chang Mai Thailand

Photos by Kate Mura ©
Training for traditional formal dance.

Thailand Elephant Camp 2001

After touring too many temples to count, in and around Chang Mai, we teachers from the US were taken to the elephant camp for R and R. Since elephants are my favorite animals for many reasons, I was understandably concerned about using these magnificent beasts for tourism purposes. I was assured that they are well treated. I often wonder if that's the case, and certainly hope so. Since I had no choice because I was in a group and also because I was curious, I went along and am not sorry I did, for no other reason that they are truly remarkable beasts.
Photos by Kate Mura ©

Two curious little girls watching us.

Picasso, the Artist



On the trail

District Six Capetown South Africa

The museum in District Six serves as a reminder of the cruelty of apartheid and as a memorial to a neighborhood that had been a place where generations of coloured and Indian Cape town residents lived peacefully for generations.

Photographs by Kate Mura ©



The map showed some of the streets in the neighborhood that was destroyed.

This is part of District 6 that was never used after the mostly colored and Indian people were removed from their homes to make way for whites.