Another area of Grand Portage National Monument where you will find living history rangers is the Voyageurs Encampment. After the voyageurs had paddled 1,400 miles and arrived at Grand Portage, they could take some time off to relax before starting their return journey. The Voyageurs Encampment is set up as a place where they could …
From July 2016
James Townsend and Son
Among Living Historians, James Townsend and Son is the mecca for buying period correct clothing and accessories. When Tom and I made our quick trip back to Ohio in June, we stopped each direction in Pierceton, Indiana to visit the actual James Townsend and Son store. James Townsend and Son is a manufacturer and retailer …
Living History Lessons
People often ask us how Tom and I got interested in Living History. We kind of fell into it to begin with. We applied to our first national park gig because of the location in Death Valley (after the 2014 winter in Ohio I just wanted to go someplace warm for the winter). Working at …
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tina Fey’s book, “Bossypants,” was published in 2011 but I just got around to reading it this year. I like Tina Fey. I loved her impression of Sarah Palin during the 2008 Presidential election. She also co-stars in one of my favorite movies, “Date Night,” with Steve Carrell. Tom and I watched several seasons of …
Lord, Teach Us to Pray
One night, when John was very little (about 3), he and I were working through his bedtime routine. We had read a story and sung one song. It was time for prayers. Usually I said the prayers and then he would say people that he wanted God to bless. But this night he surprised me: …
Great Hall at Grand Portage National Monument
One of the places Tom and I are assigned at Grand Portage National Monument is the Great Hall. This is the place where we dress up in our fanciest historic outfits. Tom is a “gentleman of the fur trade” and I am a Metis or a native wife. The Great Hall is the most diverse …
Temperance River State Park
Yesterday I mentioned that Tom and I rode the Gitchi Gami Trail beginning at Temperance River State Park. After we were done riding, we spent a little time hiking and exploring the river which constitutes the center of the park. Temperance River State Park is so named because it does not have a “bar” across …
Gitchi Gami State Trail
Last week, on one of our days off, we headed down on MN 61 to bike on the Gitchi Gami Trail. This is a paved bike trail that runs along the shore of Lake Superior. Right now it is in three sections, but eventually it will be 88 miles from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. …
Holden Evening Prayer and Vesper Service
This last week Tom and I returned to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland to participate in the Wednesday night Vesper Service. This service was a special service for the Trinity congregation. They followed the Holden Evening Prayer order and had a cellist from the Minnesota Orchestra. It was a special service to mourn for …
Quick Visit to the Emergency Room
Tom and I already had our adventure day this week and it was more adventure than we care to repeat. It culminated in a visit to the Emergency Room at Cook County North Shore Medical Center in Grand Marais. But here’s how it started. I woke up Sunday morning with a sudden, severe, and painful …