Itinerary Suggestions

WOW! We've received so many wonderful suggestions from friends and well wishers of where Greg should go that he couldn't possibly get to every place in only 11 days - we're working on the possiblity of more!

So, we've posted all the suggestions here (the one's involving outright naughty bits may need to be edited!), so that the next time you need some time away, you'll have an idea of where to go! There are so many great ideas, we had to split them apart by day.

Link to WCCO story about Greg: http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=19320@wcco.dayport.com

Suggestions posted:     8/22   |    8/23    |    8/24  |   8/25

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

August 25, 2006, Noon

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Barn hill" by Red Wing is a nice place to hike, view the area & climb.

My colleagues just checked out your TV show. I was finally thinking I better get to the CC before summer is over, but I guess big celebs like you will probably be elsewhere?

Thanks for doing all this--I've just been thinking my wife & I need to do more stuff (when she's not working all weekend) and we don't know where to go.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greg,
The last time I was in Red Wing, I didn't get the opportunity to tour the quaint little town. I wanted to check out this restaurant (that is known as the "place to be") called Norton's Restaurant, but the husband got lost & like typical men, refused to ask for directions!

Just so you know, we ended up going to a nearby Wendy's! Ha. So, if you decide to cruise by Red Wing, stop at the restaurant and maybe if technology permits, you can snap a few shots of their antique stores for me!

I also hear there is a great family-owned vineyard! http://www.falconervineyards.com/FalconerVineyardsHome.html

Just remember, don't drink and ride!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greg - Enjoy the trip!

How about a long neck at the Blue Goose on Lake Mille Lacs. At least that's the name I remember. I'm still living in S. Carolina. Spent 10 days last June at the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda - another good place for a mid life crisis. There is a cd on the way in the mail.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hi Greg. Wow what a read! I love to watch to your adventures so keep me posted.

My travels across Minnesota have become limited since my family got lakeshore property in Alex. The Arrowhead area has beautiful lakes and camping areas and gets many visitors each year. It more populated and developed then the road way up to Duluth. My family use to go to Mankato and Red Wing a lot in pass summers.

Check out the Explore Minnesota site and the trip planner link. http://www.exploreminnesota.com/

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Greg
I think it is great what you want to do......have the guts and do it! During the trip you will found many beautiful things ...a sunset, a forest, a beach, a shore, small restaurant and so on... in another words NATURE and your soul, doesn't matter where you go, happiness and beauty is inside and will connect to the surroundings.

Big hug

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tips for the road?

Take care of yourself, and take care of the bike...stop when you're tired or hungry, check the bike in the morning when you set out, oil level, leaks and tires, and loose things.

I have a 83 R80ST, about the same age as your bike and have done 4,000 mile weeks on it with only minor maintenance And most of all, stick to back roads and talk to people.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greg -
You are too funny. I watch 'CCO all the time - can't believe I missed you pulling Darcy Pohland around!

Okay, I didn't drop everything to respond the first time, but now I have to add my suggestion. You could come to my resort! If you are there over the Labor Day weekend we'll take you on a pontoon ride. Check it out - www.pinedaleresort.com. Other idea: visit the Lost Forty in Chippewa National Forest. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/chippewa/faq/l.php

Have fun.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I've looked over the suggestions that are posted and would add this :

One of the nicest trips anywhere is a ride on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.  This is a designated route basically following the north bank of the Minnesota River across the state.  It is a different terrain than most of the rest of the state, and will give you a sample of the rolling plains and miles of corn and bean fields when you go in and out of the huge river valley (where the glacial lakes drained).

You hit New Ulm which several have suggested.  I'm in Mankato, and if we know when you are coming, maybe a local group can accompany you on this leg if you do it.

There is a nice Folk Festival in St. Peter on Sept. 9 & 10th, and a killer blues festival the casino in Morton on Sept. 9( (Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Bobby Bland, Maria Muldar, Jonny Lang).. 

You can even hear me on the radio sometime (89.7) and in any even hear some interesting music there instead of commercial crap (about a 50 mile radius from Mankao). 

Lots of history such as it is here (white person history only goes back 160 years for the most part) along this route.  The earliest fur trading posts, the site of a major Indian "conflict,"  etc.

I will check your plans and give you more suggestions if you head this way.  A ride up/down the North Shore is essential, as is a ride down the Mississippi south from the Twin Cities, although the Wisconsin side of the river is probably a little nicer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greg,
Congrats on appealling to the amazing number of  "Walter and for that matter Wilma Mitty's" who want to shove their jobs and jump on the back of Bruno with you.....You have obviously/unknowly opened a door to many peoples imagination of what your trip may uncover.  Both in your mind and their imaginations. 

Don't forget to ride safely witha good helmet and watch out for all the damn deer in Minnesota as I can only shoot one of them for the benefit of Minnesota riders.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wow is right, great website!

Ok, for the music I suggest:

• Any LIVE Grateful Dead show (check with Tom, he has some some huge compilation I sure he would share)
• Allman Brothers - Live at the Filmore

Looking forwardt to seeing more pictures of the trip and reading about it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hey Greg,
Saw your story on WCCO. Thought I would share a few ideas....
 
First... Locations:

• Eveleth, MN - Home of the BIG STICK! Also home of the US Hockey Hall of Fame (if it's still open) Just seeing the stick is awesome.
• While your up there, check out the mine's up there. I was up there last May at the stick and hall of fame, on the way home, we stopped in at the mine...  It was awesome!
• The Hinckley Fire Museum is a good place to.
• And of course almost any museum in Duluth.

Now, for music.....
 
Ya can't go wrong with Springsteen..... I have a mix cd that I burn of his music to listen to out driving...  
And I have 1 or 2 other cd's I mixed for driving.. Hey, if ya want, I can copy them for ya, you just need to let me know how to get them to you.
 
Good luck on your trip!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greg,
When your at the north shore look for Carlton peak near Tofte. From the Hwy it is about a two mile hike up to the best view you will ever see. One side is 180 degree view of the big lake and when you turn around you get a panorama of the BWCA.

Good luck and have a great trip.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hi, Greg and Carol,

If you’re going to put Jimi Hendrix on your playlist, then you MUST include Janice Joplin – especially Summertime (since you will be celebrating those wonderful last days of summer). In fact, a whole selection of Summertime versions is quite wonderful – there are many.

For a taste of some exotic world music, try Lebanese musician Claude Chalhoub for a fantastically different sound. The title of his CD is his name.

Gotta run. The sirens are going off for a tornado warning….

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -