PITTSBURGH - Colin Montgomerie is coming to America and there is nothing casual or indifferent about his approach.
Montgomerie will make his Champions Tour debut this week at the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh and everything he is saying and doing suggests that he is genuinely excited about being a rookie again.
Montgomerie celebrated his 50th birthday Sunday. Gladly.
“You don't normally look forward to a birthday - do you? - when you get towards 50, but in golfing terms you do,” Montgomerie said. “We're very fortunate that in other sports you would be well gone at 50.”
Montgomerie has been zeroing in on the Champions Tour by speaking to some of the golfers he has known for many years, like Bernhard Langer and Mark O’Meara. In addition, he’s followed closely on television.
“I've been watching more television than I would normally,” he said. “Sky Sports do a very good job in broadcasting the Champions Tour over to Europe, and I'm always surprised at the level of competition and standard that the Champions Tour has.
“Bernhard is a friend and we’ve played many matches together and I know how good he is. He’s on top of the tree right now, the standard is quite phenomenal and I’m in no illusion at all … I look forward to the challenge of it.”
Montgomerie savors the thought of playing with contemporaries.
“Right now I'm playing against guys that are well under half my age, I've got children older than them, and it doesn't seem fair,” he said. “So at least when I get to America I feel that I'm on more of a level playing field.
Montgomerie, who is looking for his first victory since the 2007 European Open at the K Club in Ireland, plans on a busy Champions Tour campaign with about 20 tournaments annually. He embarks on the next phase of his career after giving it considerable thought.
“I said this openly to the European Tour, that I wasn't really going to play Champions Tour golf or senior golf as we call it until I got to 50 and found I was as fit,” he said. “Well, I've never really been fit but as fit as I have ever have been. I think 50 is the new 40 to be honest. I think health has improved to that degree allowing us to go on longer than we would.
“But 50 is old, I thought I would be retiring and I would drive my wife nuts if I stayed home all the time. So I thought I'm better off doing what I do best, which is play golf, and I look forward to the competition almost more than the love of the game of golf. I'm very competitive still and I've remained hungry, hungry for success, and I think that's important.”
Montgomerie will continue to play what he calls “seniors golf” as long as he has an appetite for it and his health allows.
Montgomerie, who was enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame earlier this year, had a glorious career on the European Tour as the eight-time winner of the Order of Merit (Money List). He has 40 professional victories and was a central figure in eight Ryder Cups during Europe’s domination.
But he never won on the PGA TOUR, despite a couple of near-misses in major championships. Ironically, the most notable of those came in Pittsburgh, at nearby Oakmont Country Club at the 1994 U.S. Open. Montgomerie and Loren Roberts lost a playoff to Ernie Els.
“I had a great career, a great normal career if you like, and I would get to No. 2 in the world, now being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a great honor, but of course there's always an omission - isn't there? - when you talk about me,” Montgomerie said. “There's a lack of a major championship.
“All I can do from now on is hopefully add a major championship to the resume already in place and I look forward to trying to achieve that … So if I can compete in any major championship, I think it would fulfill a dream, of course it would. There are more golfers over 50 in the world than there are under and it would be fantastic to try and achieve the dream of winning a major championship finally, whether it be normal tour or Senior Tour, I do look forward to it.”
Montgomerie has a busy travel schedule arranged. He was at the U.S. Open at Merion, where he worked in the Sky Sports booth, and last week went to Germany to play the BMW Championship. He arrived in Pittsburgh on Monday for his preparations. He has zigged and zagged between America and the Great Britain for most of the season.
“My game is in good order,” Montgomerie said. “The bag of clubs is good, the equipment is okay. I'm just looking forward to having an opportunity of competing on more of a level playing field. You know, this is what it is. A lot of sport is age related and I'm fortunate I'm playing against guys that hit the ball a mile now and I would like to get back to normality where I can at least compete off the tee with some of the older guys, so I look forward to it.”
“And I've got a new hunger for the game now and I've been working all year towards this date whereby I can compete against (Langer) again. We used to have great battles on the European Tour, Bernhard Langer and myself, and I look forward to it again. I used to come over and play against Couples and Mark O'Meara and Kenny Perry and David Frost and all the great players you have on the Champions Tour. Now I look forward to competing against them again. Really, it's a new chapter in my life and one that I'm really looking forward to.”
Source: pgatour.com
Sixteen years ago
Cadillac was the top-selling U.S. luxury car brand. It seems impossible
in retrospect, as its line of cars featured the soulless geometries of a
geriatric suppository. Evidently, Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz
agreed, and they all moved in to carve out their share of Cadillac’s
market. Detroit soon found itself buried underneath the force of German
and Japanese design, engineering, and marketing--and sales tanked.
You’d think
things could only get better, but they actually got worse. There was the
bankruptcy of GM, Cadillac’s parent company, followed by the infamous
bailout. Cadillac was neutered, left without the ability to lease out
its cars at enticingly affordable rates, which is a hugely damning point
in the luxury car market.
The 2014 Cadillac CTS--Cadillac post comeback.
But
the brand had been thinking ahead. The organization had already
retooled, centralizing the design line under one roof. It had adopted a
new mantra of “art and science” to blend a new, bold aesthetic with
high-octane engineering. And they’d presented a Hail Mary concept car
that inspired its own designers and engineers to invent the decade of
turnaround to come.
You could call it all corporate lip service,
if not for one key fact: It worked. Today, Cadillac’s sales are the
highest they’ve been since 1976. The automaker’s cars rival BMWs on the
track. And maybe more importantly, for the first time in 40 years,
Cadillac has discovered what a Cadillac should be.
The Root Of The Problem
1959 Cadillac de Ville--rock those tailfins.
Historically,
Cadillac design is responsible for some of the most beloved tropes in
American automobiles. In the late '40s and '50s, Cadillac introduced the
first tailfin, wraparound windshields, hefty Dagmar bumpers, and
heavily polished chrome inside and out. Then into the '60s, it did what
you’d expect of any good designer who’d pushed the envelope to its
limits--it simplified, inspired by the clean lines of modernism, and
produced a sort of overstated understatement, a big car that was
confident enough not to overdo the filigree. The Cadillac design
language for 20 years was 'How do we not make this car look like a
blank?'
Into the 1970s, Cadillacs supersized in the name of
luxury, but at the worst possible time. The decade’s oil flow was
disrupted by OAPEC trade embargoes and Iranian revolution, quadrupling
crude oil prices while creating a hysteria of mass fuel shortages.
Things got even worse into the early '80s. GM was taken over by its most
notorious CEO, Roger Smith (the same Roger in Michael Moore’s Roger and
Me). In the interest of ruthless cost cutting, he combined GM’s six
distinctive car brands under two generic umbrellas. Ironically, this
quest for efficient production killed demand, and Cadillac, alongside
GM’s entire portfolio of design heritage, became a bland, homogenous
mix. Without an identity in place, Cadillac didn’t produce a lustable
car for a few decades.
The 1965 de Ville--note the shift toward simpler lines and less ornamentation.
“They
were wandering in the desert for a long time,” says Jalopnik
Editor-in-Chief Matt Hardigree. “The design language of Cadillac for 20
years was 'How do we not make this car look like a blank?' How do we not
make the Cimarron look like a base model Chevy? How do we not make the
Catera look like an Opel?”
“[Around 2000], Cadillac took a good look at themselves, and they said, ‘What do we need to do to be successful?’”
Staging The Comeback
Legend has
it, GM execs met in an informal meeting sometime around 2000 or 2001 to
discuss Cadillac’s future, and from this, they planned a reboot fueled
by $4.3 billion in investments to save the brand. Maybe it really was
one meeting. Maybe it was a series of meetings. The people I speak to at
Cadillac don’t seem to know, and they honestly don’t seem to care.
For
the collectiv inside Cadillac, the turnaround really began with a 1999
car concept called the Evoq, created by British designer Simon Cox. The
only way we could re-establish Cadillac was to do something evocative.
“That
was a revolution, and a change of internal culture in the company to
think about Cadillac in a different way,” says Cadillac’s current design
chief Mark Adams. “If you think about the boldness and the very edgy
concept that came about with the Evoq, it was deliberately shocking in a
way because the only way we could re-establish Cadillac in people’s
memory was to do something bold and evocative.”
The 1999 Evoq concept--Cadillac’s wake-up call.
It
might not seem like it now, but the Evoq was radical for 1999. If you
take a look at its Cadillac contemporaries--the Catera, DeVille, or the
El Dorado--the Evoq looks like it’s been set on earth to consume them as
prey. And while the entire sharp design feels a bit like
double-breasted Corvette, you can see many of Cadillac’s contemporary
signatures in full swing--a design language spawned a guiding philosophy
at Cadillac called “art and science.” The “art” is driven by the
impression of the Evoq--the brash machined lines, the towering
headlights, and a more aggressive posture that’s itching to pick a fight
with the nearest open stretch of asphalt. The “science” is the
engineering to make that possible, be it repurposed GM technologies or
new platforms that Cadillac would pioneer for themselves. Now, we design
and plan based upon how our showroom will look like in 2017.
Around
the same time, Cadillac united its design teams, which used to create
each Cadillac model in relative autonomy, under one roof. “Under
previous regimes, one designer might make a great Cadillac,” explains
Don Butler, VP of Cadillac Global Strategic Development. “Now, we design
and plan based upon how our showroom will look like in 2016, in 2017.
You have the ability to create continuity into the future. It gives you a
sense of reach. How far can we stretch this? How far can we push?”
Because
even if you determine a new direction, and even if you have all the
talent in place, it still takes about 10 years to turn a car brand
around. I’ve heard that before from Ford’s Chief Creative Officer J
Mays. And what I hear now from Butler echoes the sentiment.
“Cars
aren’t like mobile phones. We can’t change them overnight,” Butler
tells me. “Mobile phones turn over every six to 18 months. They
literally turn over; you don’t see a phone from 2001 still around. Guess
what, you still see 2001 Cadillacs on the road. The image in the mind
of consumers takes much longer to change.”
The original Cadillac CTS, released in 2002.
The
used Cadillacs I imagine are either the waxed white boats of the road
in Boca Raton, or the rusty tanks lodged permanently on the
non-ticketing streets of Chicago. And if you think that pair of images
is only ingrained in the heads of consumers, you’d be wrong. Even car
designers aren’t immune to the precedents set by their own vehicles out
there in the world. It’s why concept cars like the Evoq are remarkably
important. Cars aren’t like mobile phones. We can’t change them
overnight.
Building out Cadillac’s new showroom in the shadow of
the Evoq is a challenge that’s spanned a solid decade. In 2002,
Cadillac released the CTS, its first car with some of the Evoq’s DNA.
Jalopnik’s Hardigree calls the moment “a rebirth” but is quick to point
out that this was but one car in a whole line of previous-generation
Cadillacs. It wasn’t for another eight or so years that Cadillac’s
showroom felt like it had adopted the "art and science" philosophy from
car to car. And Cadillac was still missing the most critical piece to
complete the statement--not a luxury flagship but a featherweight
fighter--to prove it could appeal to a younger buyer and stand
toe-to-toe with Germany and Japan in style and substance.
The ATS
You see,
while the CTS was a decent midsize luxury car, Cadillac’s line still
lacked the most important vehicle in high-end vehicles today: a
performance-focused compact capable of wooing new buyers considering a
luxury car for the first time. What they created was the ATS, a smaller,
more nimble Cadillac to compete with the venerable BMW 3 series.
An early pencil sketch of the CTS’s little brother, the ATS.
"We
usually start with a platform or architecture, a set of components,
then we say, ‘Can we make a Cadillac out of this?'” Butler explains,
referring to GM’s post–Roger Smith philosophy of efficiency. “The matter
of fact is, when we looked at our shelf at the components we used,
there was nothing we had to compete with the luxury compact market.”
When we looked at our shelf, there was nothing we had to compete.
So
rather than rebranding GM parts--the approach that got Cadillac in so
much trouble in the past--Cadillac built the ATS largely from scratch.
It debuted, rather than repurposed, GM’s new performance-focused Alpha
Platform. The platform’s goal is to make a compact to medium-sized car
as light as possible, right down to the smallest detail. As Car &
Driver put it so eloquently in its review:
"When
you compare a CTS with an ATS, you see that every part--aluminum or
steel--is carefully sculpted to be no thicker than necessary. Aluminum
webs are slim, steel stampings have large lightening holes and rolled
edges to add stiffness, and most fasteners have been downsized. The
manual-transmission housing, the strut towers, the brake booster, and
the hood are aluminum…Cadillac is sweating the details. It needs to,
considering how much ground the ATS has to make up."
The final ATS (2014 version).
Via
its newly unified design studio, Cadillac crafted the ATS to feel like a
little brother of the CTS--a Caddy through and through, though maybe
most distinctively, with a wider, lower grill to accentuate agility. But
none of this would have mattered much if the car didn’t drive well. As
it turns out, it drove extremely well.
“The original Cadillac
CTS wasn’t as good as a [BMW] 3 series or 5 series,” Hardigree assesses.
“But fast forward 10 years in the future, and the new ATS is
benchmarked to, not the newest 3 series, but an older BMW 3 series that
actually benchmarks better." Some people will hear you have a Cadillac
and think you wear gold chains.
Hardigree continues: “If you can
swallow buying an ATS, it is the best car in compact luxury. It’s a
great car, you just have to suck up the fact that it’s a Cadillac. Some
people will hear you have a Cadillac and think you have gold chains,
chest hair, and three buttons unbuttoned. But they’re great cars. At
some point, people will get over that stigma.”
Adams, a Cadillac
designer, confirms that the next battle is to change consumer
perception. “We know we have work to do. We have a lot more people to
convert and bring them over to looking at us with a new level of
respect. That takes time, consistency, and integrity. We’re doing the
right things at the right time now, and we’re going to keep growing,
building the brand, and being laser focused on what’s next.”
What’s Next 
A sci-fi conceptual mock up of the ELR, Cadillac’s Volt.
Whether
it’s your cup of tea or not, Cadillac’s new design finally has a
perspective to buck the stigmas of Florida drivers and gold chains. And
with the critically acclaimed ATS in its pocket, Cadillac has a new
level of clout. The future for Cadillac hinges on expanding its line
with character and variety but with enough consistency to feel like a
steady, timeless luxury brand.
The next statement in their
lineup is what Butler calls the “epitome of art and science.” Called the
ELR, it’s Cadillac’s take on the Chevy Volt platform. Deconstructing
the entire concept will only lead you to a series of borderline silly
paradoxes: An electric coupe? An eco-friendly Cadillac? But the company
hopes it will be a showpiece, almost like a concept car that’s actually
brought to market. It’s perhaps Cadillac design’s least apologetic, yet
maybe most refined form yet--a balance between the hard lines of "art
and science" with the sculptured curves that historically define
luxurious goods.
The final ELR design. A single cheekbone connects the taillight to the front tire.
“Cadillac
has turned everything on the car into a design feature,” Hardigree
tells me, as I pore over the Tron-esque concept art GM had sent me
earlier. “The CHMSL on the ELR coupe looks like He-Man’s sword. It’s not
like a BMW where you have chutes and lines going in all sorts of
directions.”
Indeed, right down to the distinct curves of their
cars, Cadillac has found direction after decades of being lost on the
map. Only time will tell how many of us they can bring along on the
ride.
Via Mark Wilson
Cadillac, General
Motors resurgent luxury brand, has a new advertising agency to help it
launch the next-generation CTS sedan this fall and promote Caddy’s push
into foreign markets.
The new agency, a consortium of three
agencies under the Interpublic Group, is called Rogue and will make its
headquarters in downtown Detroit. Created specifically for Cadillac,
Rogue brings together resources from three existing IPG agencies – Hill
Holiday, Lowe and Partners, and Campbell-Ewald. Rogue replaces Fallon,
which had the account since 2010.
The decision
is a big win for Campbell-Ewald, which lost GM’s $600 million Chevrolet
account in 2010 after 91 years. GM spent nearly $244 million on Cadillac
advertising last year, according to data provided by Kantar Media Inc.
While
Cadillac has other agencies outside the U.S., spokeswoman Jordana
Strosberg said London-based Lowe has the global expertise to coordinate
Cadillac’s marketing message on a worldwide basis and shepherd its
growth in China, Russia and other international markets. Campbell-Ewald,
based in Warren, Mich., will manage the account and Boston-based Hill
Holiday will do the creative work.
Cadillac sold about 150,000
cars in the U.S. last year, down 1.7 percent in an industry that was up
13 percent. So far this year, Cadillac sales are up 38 percent, thanks
to the addition of the new compact ATS. Some of those sales, however,
have come at the expense of the CTS, which has seen a 38 percent decline
so far this year. A redesigned CTS — larger, but lighter for better
performance and fuel-economy — goes on sale this fall.
It will
be up to Rogue to make sure the new CTS is a hit. Then, early next year,
Cadillac will launch the ELR, a luxury plug-in hybrid similar to the
Chevrolet Volt.
GM wants to turn Cadillac into a global brand
and compete head to head with German luxury brands like BMW. In May,
Cadillac’s worldwide sales were up 74.3 percent on an annual basis to
3,843 units. It was the brand’s second-highest monthly sales ever.
Leading the way for GM’s luxury brand was the SRX, which had sales of
2,221 units, and the new XTS, which had sales of 1,503 units.
“We
selected Rogue because its strategic insights, creative vision for
Cadillac and strong luxury and automotive experience were the best match
for our global growth plan,” said Bob Ferguson, vice president of
Global Cadillac.
GM also hired public relations firm
FleishmanHillard to help with strategic communications and reach new
customers in fashion, luxury, and technology.
Source: forbes.com
“Are we there yet?” are four words you won’t hear from your restless backseat drivers (or, more truthfully, you won’t hear those words every five minutes) when you embark on one of the 10 scenic summer drives we’ve outlined for you in the following pages. These routes offer so much to see (and do) that even the most tireless passengers will be speechless.
1. STILLWATER
You could argue that the scenic town of Stillwater—located on the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway—is the perfect summer drive destination because it’s less than 30 minutes from the Twin Cities; and you would be right. At least partially right. The short drive and prime location on the St. Croix (one of the last unspoiled rivers in the country within close proximity of a major metropolitan area) are two appealing reasons to visit, but that’s only part of the story. The historic character of the valley’s community is another main draw. Many of the buildings in Stillwater are listed on the National Register of Historic Places—even the Stillwater Lift Bridge, extending over the St. Croix River from Minnesota on the west to Wisconsin on the east, is on the National Register. Drive up into the hills to see the lumber baron’s mansions from the early 19th century before parking your car and wandering down Main Street, featuring several blocks of unique gift and antique shops, then walk along the river before enjoying a malt at Leo’s.
2. UPPER ST. CROIX AREA
Head just 50 miles northeast of the Twin Cities to the sister cities of St. Croix Falls, Wis. and Taylors Falls, Minn. for the wild and scenic St. Croix River, phenomenal hiking trails, music festivals, live theatre, artists of all kinds, paddleboats, waterparks, wildlife, and wineries. Drive from Stillwater north on Highway 95 to Highway 8 before turning north and winding your way down into the valley. “After all these years, I still get a thrill coming down the hill and catching my first glimpse of the St. Croix from the bluffs near Franconia,” says Danette Olsen, a founding member of the St. Croix Marketing Alliance and the executive director of the Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls. The options for enjoying a summer afternoon in the area are as varied as the steamboats that travel down the river. Visit the National Park Service headquarters and interpretive center, hike the trails in over 2,000 acres of park preserve, go on a riverboat cruise, check out the galleries, shops, live theatre, Franconia Sculpture Park, and the art of wine-making at Chateau St. Croix, zip down a waterslide at Wild Mountain, or dine at a variety of nearly 20 restaurants, many with outdoor seating. Lodging choices include everything from campsite and cabin rentals to hotels and B&Bs. Come on a Friday for music in the park, play a game of mini golf, tour the Folsom House, bike down the Gandy Dancer trail, view domestic and wild animals at Fawn-Doe-Rosa, or board the historic Osceola train.
3. OWATONNA
Drive an hour south of the metro, where the crossroads of Highways U.S. 14, U.S. 218 and Interstate 35 meet, to Owatonna, home to the first Cabela’s World’s Foremost Outfitters store in Minnesota, built in 1998—the second largest tourist attraction in Minnesota only to the Mall of America. Classic, small town charm can be found in the town square, with its picturesque fountain and Central Park Bandshell (featuring outdoor concerts all summer long), downtown shopping, dining, 24 parks, numerous trails, an aquatic center, and three championship golf courses, in addition to being home to the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children (the only state school orphanage in Minnesota’s history), the Steele County Historical Society’s Village of Yesteryear, and the RAD Zoo, featuring creatures of the reptile and amphibian world. Visit during the Steele County free fair, the largest county fair in the state, Aug. 16-21, 2011.
4. MINNESOTA'S BLUFF COUNTRY
Drive along Highway 52 south of the Twin Cities on to Minnesota’s bluff country. A descent into the Root River Valley comes complete with hairpin curves that feel like you’re in the mountains. Just south of Preston, County Road 16 branches off to the historic town of Lanesboro, one of the prettiest towns around. If you want to continue seeing amazing scenery, get on a bike and ride along the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trails, ranging from level terrain to more challenging trails that opens up to gorgeous vistas. See a play at the nationally recognized Commonweal Theatre, check out the Cornucopia Art Center, tour Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (a restored historic fur trade center and village) in nearby Preston, visit the Amish community of Harmony, and spend time in the charming shops and restaurants.
5. WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
Most people, when thinking of South Dakota, think only of Mount Rushmore—and while that national memorial is truly awesome, there’s so much more to see in this great state.
Watertown, South Dakota—the state’s fourth-largest city—is one of those must-see cities, located on Interstate 29 100 miles north of Sioux Falls and 140 miles south of Fargo. Home of the Redlin Art Center (housing over 150 of world-famous wildlife artist Terry Redlin’s original paintings), internationally acclaimed artist Josh Spies (his gallery is located uptown in the historic Goss Opera House), the Bramble Park Zoo and Discovery Center, the Mellette House, built in 1883 by Arthur C. Mellette and restored as a memorial to South Dakota’s first governor, the Kampeska Heritage Museum, and specialty retail shops in the hip Historic Uptown district, and water recreation on Lake Kampeska and Lake Pelican, Watertown has something for everyone.
6. BEMIDJI
The Great River Road from Lake Itasca (the source of the Mississippi River) east to the Chippewa National Forest makes for a memorable drive up North to the Bemidji area, a cultural oasis in the heart of the wilderness. The drive to Bemidji is a good four hours, so plan accordingly.
While visiting the area, stay at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge on the northwest shore of Lake Bemidji. Accommodations include lakefront rooms, suites, townhomes, a romantic whirlpool suite with a fireplace, and cottages with anywhere from one to four bedrooms, all spread out along 1,700 feet of natural sand beach. Check out the Camp Rabideau historic site, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp built in 1935 to house the men that constructed fire towers, bridges, roads, and trails in the area. Four of the camp’s 15 buildings have been restored and are open to the public for touring during the summer. Other attractions include the interpretive Bog Walk in Bemidji State Park; the famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues; the Paul Bunyan Playhouse; excellent biking and hiking trails; and phenomenal golfing and horseback riding.
7. NORTH SHORE
Built into a steep, rocky hillside, Duluth, two and a half hours north of the metro, overlooks the sparkling blue waters of Lake Superior. Most visitors see the vista unfold as they crest the hill of Interstate 35, and what a view it is.
“You never get tired of watching the lake and it’s many personalities,” says Gene Shaw, director of public relations for Visit Duluth.
The town is full of outdoorsy activities: You can skip rocks along the shoreline, walk along the Lakewalk, get an overview of the scenery from Enger Tower, tour the grounds at the historic Glensheen Mansion, or visit Leif Erickson Park. Perhaps one of the most unique Duluth activities is watching the Aerial Lift Bridge and the massive ships coming into port.
Continue cruising along Scenic Highway 61 to Lutsen, a drive that takes about 10 minutes longer than the Expressway, but definitely worth the extra time. Rather than just a drive, Highway 61 is a destination in itself. As you approach the Lutsen–Tofte area, the scenery begins to shift. The ancient Sawtooth Mountains signal your arrival.
Whether you’re seeking solitude, family time, recreation, or romance, Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior, in the Lutsen–Tofte area, has the right ingredients for the perfect North Shore vacation. Once you arrive at Bluefin Bay, enjoy a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from high-adrenaline mountain biking to kayaking on Lake Superior to guided Lake Superior fishing charters to endurance hiking along the Superior Hiking Trail. Other attractions include the family-friendly Lutsen Mountain alpine slides, golfing at Superior National Golf Course, or naturalist-guided wildlife viewing excursions in Superior National Forest.
“But the real star of any vacation at Bluefin Bay is the greatest of lakes herself, and the way you feel when you’re this close to Lake Superior. That’s why we consider our lake-inspired spa treatments, lakeside campfires, summer Saturday night barbeques, and romantic lakewalk to be absolute musts for every North Shore vacationer,” says Lori Schaefer, marketing director for Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior. “We provide the views, the warm and friendly hospitality, and the umatched natural surroundings, and then we leave it up to our guests and let them define the perfect vacation—and they do.”
8. GRAND MARAIS
Stay along Minnesota 61 until the road leads you deeper into the wild boreal forest. With Lake Superior stretching off into the distance and the Sawtooth Mountains rising in the background, a trip to Grand Marais feels like a trip to the sea shore. “After the first glimpse of Grand Marais from the Cutface Creek overlook, you’ll understand why so many people consider Grand Marais the ‘Jewel of Lake Superior,’” says Kjersti Vick, events and communications coordinator for the Grand Marais Art Colony.
Grand Marais is an arts destination with numerous galleries and arts organizations encouraging visitors to get involved. Visit the Grand Marais Art Colony, Minnesota’s oldest colony, for a tour of the campus, or better yet—sign up for a visual arts, ceramics, glass, printmaking or plein air painting class (available year-round for all skill levels). Complete the day with the outdoor activity of your choice and dinner at one of the eclectic locally owned restaurants. Visit July 9–10 for the 21st Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival, when over 70 local and regional artists will set up by the sparkling shores of Lake Superior to showcase their unique handcrafted work, and August 26–September 2, 2011 for the Plein Air Painting Competition & Exhibition, when artists move from the studio to the great outdoors to celebrate the unique beauty of the North Shore landscape.
9. DOOR COUNTY, WIS.
Quick quiz: What has thousands of acres of cherry orchards, vineyards and farms, 300 miles of shoreline, more than 100 art galleries, studios and museums, over 50 beaches, 19 county parks (and excellent camping), 10 lighthouses, five state parks, plenty of outdoor recreation, an old-fashioned drive-in, a world class fishery, eclectic local cuisine (hint: think fish boils), and glorious waterfront sunsets? If you answered Door County, Wis., you are correct. As a result of the area’s numerous tourism-related amenities, Door County was named by Money magazine as one of the top 10 vacation destinations in North America, and it’s less than a six-hour car ride away.
10. BAYFIELD, WIS.
Thanks to Madeline Island, located near Bayfield, Wis. (about a four-hour drive north of the Twin Cities) it is possible to have an island vacation without booking a flight to Hawaii. Madeline Island, a ferry ride from Bayfield to LaPointe, Wis. is one of 22 Apostle Islands and the only island not part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, meaning it is the only developed island of the bunch. This means more opportunities to golf, visit museums, charter a sport fishing boat, sailboat, sea kayak, or canoe, and plenty of shopping, dining, and lodging options. The Madeline Island Ferry Line provides daily transportation to and from the island every 30 minutes during the summer.
Source: minnesotamonthly.com
