Originally published Nov. 30, 2007, on DuluthBudgeteer.com.
Oftentimes the road to Jay Cooke's core (the much-lauded Swinging Bridge/River Inn area) is as impressive and rewarding as anything else in the state park -- if not more so.
For full effect, start your adventure in Fond du Lac, where Highway 23 forks and Highway 210 is "born."
Follow 210 up the incline and you're on your way. The road, also known as Rushing Rapids Parkway, is an adventure in and of itself: mountain-esque ups and downs lend themselves to hairpin turns and, believe you me, it's usually a long way to the bottom.
This is a shame, because solitary drivers just trying to keep their car in the right lane will miss out on a number of interesting sights. Aside from all the expected natural beauty, a couple hydro-electric stations, out-of-place water towers and a "Danger! Keep Away" dam of some sort dot the landscape.
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Some other highlights visitors come across before hitting the visitor center include the surreally quiet Grand Portage Trail (where there is a much-deserved Carlos San Miguel Jr. memorial) and the always-amazing Oldenburg Point/Ogantz Trail.
"Discover Duluth" is an ongoing photo essay series by Matthew R. Perrine that highlights points of interest in and around the region. For more photos from this set, click on the accompanying photo gallery.
