From April through December, there is interesting shipping traffic at our Duluth MN inn. It is amazing to be strolling the beach or sitting by a window and suddenly notice these fantastically large ships.

They are so very big. They are so very close.

It is a great reminder of how our goods travel about the globe. It is also great fun to witness. We reminisce about the ships during the January – April freeze, when the waters are impassable to shipping traffic.

See you in the spring, ships!

Quietly they slip by, then comes the crash of waves.

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Originally uploaded by sol_glimt

Being Green is important to us. Living where we do, on the shores of majestic Lake Superior, the impact of everyday decisions is clear to us. We don’t use chemical herbicides or pesticides that would run off our grounds into the water of the lake. The same goes for our cleaning products in the home – we want to be clean, but we strive to use products that are not harmful to our surroundings.

We walk and bike whenever we can, since it makes us feel better and it helps our air quality. Fortunately for us, we reside in an area where amenities are close at hand. We are happy to share favorite routes with guests of our Duluth lodging, though we certainly don’t begrudge anyone who prefers to drive.

Since our business is also our home, we feel that it is essential to incorporate green practices into our Duluth b&b as much as possible. We support other local businesses whenever possible; Minnesota may not have the longest growing season of the year, but if we can find fresh, preferably organic, locally grown food, we buy it. Then we prepare it ourselves, to ensure that when you stay at our Minnesota bed and breakfast, you are eating delicious, whole foods.

Our commitment to this issue is evidenced by the photo above: worms. Yes, we allow worms at the inn. They happily munch their way through (literally) our fruit and vegetable scraps, creating healthy compost as they go.

We know we aren’t alone out there – many, many of you travel green whenever you can. We hope you’ll stop by Duluth.

While snow might prevent us from gardening at our Duluth bed and breakfast any time soon, there is still a way for us to experience the joy of a garden’s rebirth and growth. The Duluth Playhouse is preparing a production of The Secret Garden, which will run from February 18 through March 7, 2010.

Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, sent to live in the mysterious, austere, English country home of an uncle after the death of her parents. Little Mary has little happiness in her life until she discovers a long neglected garden, and sets to work bringing it back to life.

The Duluth Playhouse is close to our Duluth Inn

The production at the Duluth Playhouse is the Tony award-winning musical (1991), which seamlessly incorporates music by Lucy Simon and lyrics by Marsha Norman. The result is an entirely uplifting experience for all ages.

It is worth traveling to Duluth to see this show, and while you are here, why not stay at our Lake Superior inn? We are just over a mile from the Duluth Playhouse – an easy walk in any weather. On the way, enjoy dinner before the meal or drinks afterward at one of the establishments in Canal Park.

The New Year is upon us, and with that comes New Year’s Resolutions. Usually we top our lists with things like “lose weight” and “organize garage”; necessary, perhaps, but hardly exciting. To help keep on track with these resolutions, throw in one that’s truly enjoyable: romantic weekend with sweetie at Duluth inn.

Let’s face it, many of us are not motivated to do much at all when the days are short and the nights are long. But what if we were at a Lake Superior bed and breakfast? We’d don sweaters, hats and gortex and walk for miles and miles on the beach, hearing nothing but the wind, water and intrepid gulls.

After dark, we’d curl up in front of the fire and read a book from cover to cover. Or we’d get gussied up and head out for a great meal at one of the Duluth restaurants near the inn. In the morning, we’d either sleep late or head out to the beach again to stimulate the appetite before a tasty breakfast made by someone else (when was the last time that happened?).

So before you get too deeply into that garage project, take a moment to look at your calendar and book a couple of nights at our Duluth bed and breakfast. Start the New Year with your priorities in order.