As a new Minnesotan, I am greatly looking forward to my first long weekend trip “up north”. For those unfamiliar with the Land of 10,000 Lakes, “up north” refers to the large stretches of Lake Superior shoreline and vast stretches of national parks just south of Canada. I believe you can also call that area the Boundary Waters…. Depending on your final destination, this area is a convenient 3-5 hour drive from the Twin Cities, perfect for long weekends of camping and all manner of water sports. I am very excited for my first experience of this classic Minnesota pastime!
Here is what I am thinking:
We start our journey bright and early Friday morning. Our first stop will be the Wuollet Bakery in Edina, Minnesota. This delicious bakery has been a family-owned Twin Cities staple for over 65 years. We will stock up on some delicious pastries for breakfast and some snacks for the road.
The only gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Our first day of activities is in Duluth, MN, but before we arrive, we will make a quick pit stop in Cloquet. Cloquet is a small town about 25 miles west of Duluth. It will be worth the extra few miles to see the only gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The gas station was part of Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of a utopian future in Broadacre City (Disappearing City, 1932). The city never came to be, but Frank Lloyd Wright did build a home and service station for the Lindholm family in Cloquet in 1958. The service station features a second story waiting room with all glass windows. FLW envisioned this as kind of a relaxing waiting room/coffee house where customers would relax after filling up. No one ever used it that way… it turns out people want to buy gas and quickly leave.
Waiting Room at Lindholm Service Station
Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of a Utopian city
Then it is on to Duluth!
Future Vacations 