Exploring the North Shore

2024 has seen a lot of changes along the North Shore. Some businesses closed, new businesses opened. Whole buildings have been demolished and new buildings added. It can be hard to keep up with all of the changes! In this episode, Jaye and Martha visit some of the new businesses that have sprung up in the past year. Up in Hovland, Objects to Crave opened late in the summer of 2023 and brought a unique, eclectic twist on the traditional North Shore gift shop. Back in Grand Marais, Abby Tofte (of The Big Lake) has purchased the former Gunflint Mercantil store and transformed it into two shops: the Lady Superior Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop and Harbortown Goods gift shop.

Listen in to learn about these changes and more that will greet you on your next trip to Lake Superior's North Shore.

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Learn More...

Objects to Crave Website: https://objectstocrave.com/

Objects to Crave Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ObjectsToCrave/

Lady Superior/Harbortown Website: https://thebiglakelife.com/collections/lady-superior

Lady Superior/Harbortown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladysuperiorbottleshop/

The Big Lake Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebiglakelife/

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

2023 really was a big year for Sisu + Loyly! Just when we thought Sisu + Loyly couldn't possibly make the sauna experience in Cook County any better, they went above and beyond with their floating sauna! Launched in September 2023, the floating sauna may very well be the first commercial floating sauna in the USA! It is currently home-based at Skyport Lodge on Devil Track Lake, and reservations are open! As the floating sauna was launched late in the season, only a lucky few will be able to experience it until winter comes and the floating sauna has to go away until next summer. If you're planning a Fall Colors adventure on the North Shore in 2023, consider adding a lovely floating sauna into your plans.

Learn More...

Book your floating sauna experience: https://www.sisuandloyly.com/floating-sauna

Book your mobile sauna experience: https://www.sisuandloyly.com/mobile-sauna

Book your Grand Marais East Bay sauna experience: https://www.sisuandloyly.com/sauna

Follow Sisu + Loyly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisuandloylysauna/

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

It's Pride Month, so we've been taking in all the North Shore activities. One of those activities included an exclusive screening of Matthew Baxley's new film, Rainbows in the Wilderness. This film is about 9 strangers who share a common bond going into the BWCA, some for the first time. 

If Matthew's voice sounds familiar, he's been on the podcast before. Remember the Haunted House episode? It's definitely a classic! Welcome Matthew back to the podcast for this interview about his new film.

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Follow Bear Witness Media on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bear_witness_media

Bear Witness Media Website: https://www.bearwitnessmedia.com/

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

In Part 3 of the North Shore Brewery Guide, we wrap up our time in Duluth. In this episode, we visit Hoops Brewing Company and get absolutely destroyed by Trivia. Then, we discuss other local breweries that we were unable to visit during the recording of the guide. We head over to 7West TapHouse in downtown Duluth to test out some beers from Ursa Minor Brewing and Earth Rider Brewery.

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Learn More...

Hoops Brewing Company: https://hoopsbrewing.com/

Ursa Minor Brewing: https://ursaminorbrewing.com/

Earth Rider Brewery: https://earthrider.beer/

Duluth Tap Exchange: https://duluthtapexchange.com/

7West TapHouse: https://www.7westtaphouse.com/

North Shore Breweries Guide: https://exploringnorthshore.com/breweries/

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

Welcome to Part 2 of our North Shore Breweries series. In this multi-part series, we will introduce you to some of our favorite local breweries, starting in Duluth. This episode features two great Duluth Breweries: Bent Paddle Brewing and Lake Superior Brewing.

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Located in the Lincoln Park Craft District, Bent Paddle Brewing Company helped to revitalize Duluth's west end. Their beautiful spacious taproom gives you plenty of room to enjoy their great brews. We tried a flight of beers and interviewed one of the founders, Laura. Then, we hopped over to Lake Superior Brewing Company, all the way over in Duluth's East Lakeside neighborhood. They are still working out their first round of brews since reopening late last year, so we sampled some of the amazing menu items.

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Learn More...

Bent Paddle Brewing Company: https://bentpaddlebrewing.com/

Lake Superior Brewing Company: https://www.lakesuperiorbrewingduluth.com/

North Shore Breweries Guide: https://exploringnorthshore.com/breweries/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@staycvr

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

Around 11:30 AM on April 10, 2023, a fire broke out at Sydney's Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza. On what was otherwise a beautiful spring day in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Responding fire departments fought the fire for over two hours, extinguishing it around 1:30 PM. Unfortunately, the intense fire destroyed the interior of this beloved downtown eatery. In this week's blog post, we reflect back on the history of this seasonal favorite. And, look to see what may happen to it in the future.

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Learn More: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/67864/sydneys-frozen-c…wood-fired-pizza/ 

Cook County Historical Society Post with Photos: https://www.facebook.com/CookCountyHistoricalSociety/posts/pfbid02j9agrGrvuEtkuz8UAGmWWrDFvH9xziQ2YQY7FnqoiGi7aGa6WjsvPqoqYkcewKwil

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

Welcome to Part 1 of our North Shore Breweries series. In this multi-part series we will introduce you to some of our favorite local breweries, starting in Duluth. This episode features two great Duluth Breweries: Canal Park Brewing Company and Blacklist Brewing Company.  

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Located in Canal Park (hence the name), Canal Park Brewing Company is a full restaurant experience with dozens of great beers on tap. We tried a flight of beers and ciders and then ate the best brussels sprouts either of us have ever tasted. Then, we hopped over to downtown Duluth to Blacklist Brewing Company. No food on the menu, but we sampled a beer and a seltzer flight and enjoyed a little axe throwing. 

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Learn More...

Canal Park Brewing Company: https://canalparkbrewery.com/

Blacklist Brewing Company: https://www.blacklistbeer.com/

North Shore Breweries Guide: https://exploringnorthshore.com/breweries/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@staycvr

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploringnorthshore/?hl=en

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploringnorthshore/

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

March 23, 2023, brought an incredible Northern Lights experience to everyone on the North Shore who happened to look or be outside. The lights were clearly visible to the naked eye all over Minnesota that day, but especially on the northernmost part of the state. In this episode, Jaye and Martha take a drive out to Saganaga Lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail to see the incredible show in the sky that night. We discuss what the Northern Lights are, how and when to see them, and where to go. While the show on the 23rd was possibly once-in-a-lifetime as far as the intensity goes, the Northern Lights can be seen periodically at all times of the year.

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2023 resulted in a thrilling finish at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Jaye and Martha were there to take it all in and report back on what an exciting evening it ended up being. Listen in to hear all about it. Congratulations to this year's winner, Keith Aili!

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Learn More About John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/6254/beargrease-sled-dog-marathon/

See Highlights on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@staycvr

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This episode is sponsored by Cascade Vacation Rentals: https://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/

Sorry about the audio on this one! Who knew that electronics and cold weather don't always mesh? It was -10 F (-20 F with windchill and it was windy!), but we braved the cold in order to watch some of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2023. Once again we went up to Trail Center on a cold but sunny afternoon to see how the race is going. 

Be sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for photos and videos. We will be recording again tomorrow and bringing you a full episode on the race as we cover the finish line for the 2023 marathon.

If you can't join us for the marathon, follow along with the sled dog teams using the John Beargrease GPS Tracker: https://beargrease.com/gps-tracking/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploringnorthshore/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploringnorthshore/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@staycvr