• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • SHOP
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT CATHY
  • CONTACT

CZ Design

There’s nothing more exciting than other people’s travel photos

August 25, 2009

There’s nothing more exciting than other people’s travel photos

Welcome to What I Did on My Summer Vacation, Part One.

This year, we opted for an economical getaway and decided to vacation in our own backyard: to tour around the great state of Minnesota in search of history, kitschy photo opps, and general family bonding time.

Using the book Weird Minnesota as one of our travel guides, we planned a trip that would take us up Highway 61, through Duluth and beyond, then to head west through the Iron Range and back down to the Brainerd Lakes area where our family cabin is.

Along the way, we sought out stuff like this:

1-teacup 

The Lindstrom Tea Kettle Water Tower, Lindstrom, Minn.

Our rule was if it was large, kitschy, made of fiberglass, or had holes where you had to put your head through, we stopped. Or, if they served booze.

2-bar 

In Rush City, we found a big fish:

3-bigfish 

In Pine City, we found a huge voyageur:

4-voyageur 

And in Mora we found a Dala Horse, which led to the catch phrase of the trip: "Where's your Dala Horse, babe?" spoken ala the guy from the Two A-Holes sketch from Saturday Night Live.

5-dalahorse 

One of the other trip rules? No fast food. Sorry Mickey D's, but the Zielskes took a vow to eat in local cafes and off the path eateries, such as the lovely Sportsmen's Cafe in Mora:

6-nofastfood

Following lunch, we posed by more statues:

6-posed by statues 

And filled up our tank at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed gas station in Cloquet:

7-flwstation 

Along the way, there was plenty of time for Cole-created sight gags:

8-shenanigans1 

9-shenans2 

Until we finally arrived in our first official stayover stop: the beautiful fresh water port city of Duluth, Minn.

10-duluth 

11-lift 

We did a clever re-enactment of the famous lift bridge:

12-liftact 

We walked around on the rocky shores:

12-walkd 

We saw and toured a big boat (There's your big boat, babe.):

13-sawbigboat 

We took lots of pictures:

14b-tookpics 

And we broke a few laws:

14-brokelaws 

Duluth is a place I could SO live from June through August.

15-boy6 

16-checkingout 

17-duluth 

Throughout our first day we kept track of memorable quotes from assorted family members, and captured such gems as:

Aidan: "Why is Cole changing again?" Mom: "He doesn't like who he's become?"

Dan: "Do cowboys just call their hats 'hats'?"

Cole, informing us whether or not he would get out of the car at our stops throughout Day 1: "If there's a gift shop, I'm so there."

And so ends Day 1. Stay tuned for more Zielske Vacation Shenanigans, coming soon to this blog near you.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelli says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:36 am

    I love how your family poses for photos!
    I had the best compliment the other day, a woman in my photography class said I had the same sense of humour as this famous scrapbooker in her area. She thought I might have heard of her, her name is Cathy Zielske.

    Reply
  2. shelley h says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:38 am

    your family is so much fun. will you consider adopting me?

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Love Duluth. Whenever I used to visit my friend in Thunder Bay we’d take a road trip to Duluth. As ever your posting has put a smile on my morning face. Thanks

    Reply
  4. Melissa J says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:41 am

    I should have been born in your family. You guys are so much fun!

    Reply
  5. Lisa says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:49 am

    All I can say is thanks! This Minnesotan did not get a vacation this year so now I sort of feel like I did!

    Reply
  6. Dixie Lee says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:59 am

    My dad lived in Duluth/Cloquet area for several years. I never went to visit. Your pictures make me wish I had.

    Reply
  7. Andrea says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:00 am

    As a native Minnesotan, I should think this post would make people around the world want to come (at least visit!) Minnesota. Isn’t it beautiful here? That shot of the rainbow over the bridge in Duluth is stellar.

    Reply
  8. Pattie says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Your family is hysterical! TFS!

    Reply
  9. Nisa Fiin says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:09 am

    I hear you on the Duluth livin’ in the summer months… I might even add September. But I do not recommend camping there in late October…especially when pregnant. not a wise choice…

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:11 am

    I’m neither a big blog commenter nor a big laugh-out-louder, but Cole’s sight gag totally cracked me up. Thanks for sharing and tell Cole thanks especially.

    Reply
  11. Jennifer says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:13 am

    Thanks for the morning LOL…I love the breaking the laws sign picture. Made my day! (yeah, I am easy like that!)

    Reply
  12. Dana says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:17 am

    I second Shelly H, will you adopt me? You guys are so much fun!

    Reply
  13. kate says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Sounds like you had great fun! πŸ™‚

    RE:Andrea, I would so love to visit Minnesota after seeing these pics. I’m ashamed to say I couldn’t even show you where it was on a map of the USA. I can be forgiven though, Our country isn’t even as big as your smallest state!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  14. TinaCG says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:18 am

    Love your family – can I join? Fun idea for your vacation and great pics. Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply
  15. Karen F. says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:20 am

    OK . . . I know better than to force my husband to read any blog entry I love . . . but I forced him . . . and he laughed out loud . . . and wondered if there is a “Weird California” guidebook . . . and mused that maybe one day we could take such an “unusual” vacation!
    Score for me!!!

    Reply
  16. Denise Laborde says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Great vacation guide!

    Reply
  17. anna says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:29 am

    I am right there with you on the living in duluth from june though aug We try to take a couple trips uo there every summer.

    your family seems so fun.
    I laughed hard at the no standing picture so fun.
    Have a great day
    Anna

    Reply
  18. denise:) says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:29 am

    Great photos- absolutely fun and/or beautiful & you all are hilarious – wish i was there… and how many people say that and really mean it? ;D

    BTW, saw Green Day last night finally- OMG! 3 hours of fast & furious mania and I have a screaming injury.

    Reply
  19. Glenda says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Sounds like a fun trip…I love those type of backroads adventures. But no Mickey D’s? Not even for a tea? Now that is roughin’ it!

    Reply
  20. Susannah Stapp says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:35 am

    I love that your family enjoys the quirkyness of it all. They relish these picture opts rather than dread them. Good Family!

    Reply
  21. Lisa Boland says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:40 am

    As a Swede, I really enjoyed seeing your pictures from all the “Swedish” places!

    Reply
  22. Vicki says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:41 am

    The answer is “Yes” Cowboys do just call their hats hats.

    Reply
  23. Debbie says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:42 am

    Your family is so fun and cool!!!

    Reply
  24. Liz says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:42 am

    The no stopping or standing photograph is by far my favorite.

    Reply
  25. Shelby Austin says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:44 am

    That sounds like a great holiday, lots of fun. I’m going to have to remember it for when our kids are older. Thanks for the great ideas.

    Reply
  26. Ali Edwards says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:48 am

    You know this is scrapbooking right?

    Reply
  27. ady abreu says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Great photos… I’m sure you had a blast. My family has that no McD’s or fast food on vacations. We support the locals when on vacation. Besides McD’s does not sit well in my tummy!!!LOL

    Reply
  28. Marcie L says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:02 am

    So very funny! Can’t wait to see/read the rest.

    Reply
  29. Melanie K. says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:07 am

    Awesome, awesome, awesome! I love the pictures … and your humor … I love it when you post like this … you are one very funny lady!

    Reply
  30. Molly Irwin says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:08 am

    that is a great [not so] mini-book right there.

    Reply
  31. brandy says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:14 am

    three cheers for the lindstrom teapot and the muni! hip hip hooray! i can’t believe that you were 3 blocks away and didn’t stop for premiums and homemade cherry cokes…

    Reply
  32. Mary Jo says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Awwww, I think they’re fun :0)
    Although I’ve been boring people with photos of our trip to Ireland and the U2 concert we saw there for weeks now, so I can’t say anything ;0)

    Reply
  33. janet o says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:30 am

    Crack me UP!

    Reply
  34. Heather says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:36 am

    you might be my new hero. I LOVE LOVE the sign that says ‘BAR’. What more do you need to know, really?

    Reply
  35. shimelle says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:38 am

    new income strategy for the zielske household:
    sell tickets to the rest of the world to accompany you on family roadtrips.
    i mean, i would pay good money for that.
    who wouldn’t?

    Reply
  36. Helen says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Had to laugh when I got to the no stopping or standing photo – I think I have a shockingly similar one taken in Duluth from a family vacation about 2 years ago….ahhhh…little things!!

    Reply
  37. Anne says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:49 am

    You are so hilarious….

    Reply
  38. Trude says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    That standing around shot is SO my family too. πŸ™‚ Love these!

    Reply
  39. patti says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Hysterical!

    Reply
  40. Loydene says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    What a fun trip! Come to the Ozarks some time — the strange things you see aren’t quite as big … but probably a bit “weird-er”!!

    Reply
  41. Lisa says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    As a Minnesotan recently relocated to Alaska, I loved seeing Duluth through your camera’s lens and with your family’s sense of humor. The breaking laws part made me laugh out loud, which doesn’t happen often enough!

    Reply
  42. Jennifer says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    ahh, Minnesota- the land of 10,000 lakes and huge statues of everything– love the Dala horse statue! when I was growing up we went up every year to go fishing; I miss it a lot- seeing your vacation brings back some wonderful memories- thanks! can’t wait for the next installation!

    Reply
  43. Missus Wookie says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Oh I’m so glad we’re not the only family to plan our trips around weirdly titled books. Or plan/photo sight gags…

    Thought of you and your orange sweatshirt as we ate in a restaurant called “The Breakfast Club” this week. Although our exploration was without kids.

    Reply
  44. cindy b. says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    LOL!! So lovin’ your vacation so far. That picture of Cole’s hat TOTALLY cracked me up!!! πŸ™‚ Can’t wait for Day 2…

    Reply
  45. alexa says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    Brilliant photos and family! You’ve made me want to visit πŸ™‚

    Reply
  46. Jeanne Ann says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    I know that this is only day one, but can I say what an awesome trip? What a great way to spend time as a family and see your own back yard. Off the beaten path and onto the weird things to see path is the way to go. Wish my family had more of a sense of humor, maybe we could plan a trip like this one.

    Reply
  47. janis says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    well your vacation photos are way better than mine, so I am happy to check them out! looks like you had a great time so far!!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  48. Rose says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    Home sick in bed, surfing on my iPod, and LAUGHING out loud at your wonderful family photos and the hilarious antics! Tell Cole he’s the funniest. Thanks for the gafaw.

    Reply
  49. tara says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    looks like so much fun cathy-i have always wanted to roadtrip and find that kitschy stuff. so fun.

    Reply
  50. Lisa says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Your summer vacation was way better than mine. Thanks for making me feel like I went along for the ride!

    Reply
  51. Jennifer M. says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Best blog post ever. I am so going to do a trip like this with my husband and kid. Only around New England.

    Reply
  52. Cami says

    August 25, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Your sense of humor has not been lost on this bunch.

    Reply
  53. Chris says

    August 25, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    This reminds me of a couple of trips I’ve been on. There was the one time we drove from MA to MN to go to Darwin- home of the biggest ball of twine made by one person.

    More recently, we went from MA to ID stopping at the biggest ball of twin in Kansas, Wall Drug, visiting Happy the Hodag (Rhinelander, WI), the Corn Palace, riding a Jackalope (Dubois, WY), Carhenge, the geographic center of the lower 48 states, plus visiting the highest point of 9 different states.

    Reply
  54. Kristie says

    August 25, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Love this! What wonderful memories you are making for your children …. πŸ™‚

    Can’t wait to see the next installment!

    Reply
  55. annie says

    August 25, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    wonderful vacation…i love it.

    Reply
  56. bobbie says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Can I go with you on your next vacation??? I LOVE that rainbow shot! TFS!

    Reply
  57. Rochelle says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Love to see other families having fun – but where are you Cathy??
    No photos – unabridged or otherwise! Maybe they’ll be in the next chapter!

    Reply
  58. anna says

    August 25, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    you never, NEVER, fail to completely crack me up! love the cole gag pic AND the criminal pic, beautifully done!
    such a great sense of humor!
    a

    Reply
  59. ShellyJ says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    sounds like alot of fun!!!

    Reply
  60. Cynthia says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    Oh my love this CAthy. my mom and i went to the north shore this summer:) ah the memories. Makes ya proud to live in the great state of minnesota:) so, gonna get that book the next time. And that breakin the law pic:) made me break a rib laughing:)

    Reply
  61. Jessica says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    You guys are so funny! Love the street sign pose.

    Reply
  62. Karen M. says

    August 25, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    loving your photos…thanks for sharing. looks like a fun vacation.

    Reply
  63. Korey Lindberg says

    August 25, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    You were so close to my hometown…sheesh! It looks like you guys had the bestest of times and I can’t wait until I have kids old enough to do a fun trip like this. πŸ˜€

    Reply
  64. gitz says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    Will you adopt me?

    Reply
  65. Laura Melohn says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    Love the post! Makes me homesick for Minnesota and I love the ‘wierd’ books.

    Reply
  66. debganzel@hotmail.com says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    what an awesome idea – sounds like a perfect goof off vacation. Bet it was one of the best you ever had.

    Reply
  67. Jane says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Love the no stopping or standing shot! My unfunny husband had to explain the sign to me when I showed him…..I was like all…Yeah whatever mister…you just don’t get it!

    Reply
  68. Cheryl says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    So you wouldn’t mind if some of your readers tagged along on your next vacation, right? What, is that weird or something?

    Reply
  69. j says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    you guys are simply hilarious. the photos really cracked me up πŸ˜€ so well taken with a craziness. such a joy to see a whole family having fun together πŸ˜€ looking forward to MORE πŸ˜€ enjoy yrselves!

    Reply
  70. BunnyKissd says

    August 25, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    You guys are hilarious! And those last 2 photos? Amazing!

    Reply
  71. Jennifer says

    August 25, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    really fun stuff, as always!

    Reply
  72. Heather H. says

    August 25, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    Awesome trip! Sounds very much like the ones I took in my childhood growing up here in MN. But we didn’t use the book back then. Those were just places we knew of our found. Which is what happens when this is where your people have always been and rarely left!!! Can’t wait to see more. And I love the no fast food rule. Did you go to Betty’s Pies?? How about the Worlds Best Donuts???

    Reply
  73. Hena Tayeb says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    great pictures. looks like you guys had so much fun.

    Reply
  74. Linda says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:16 pm

    That looks like my kind of holiday. Of course, it’s a long way from Australia so that add to the vacation appeal. Does look like fun though, you have a lot of interesting things in your state. We have a show on Sunday nights at the moment “Stephen Fry travels America”, or something like that. Last episode he travelled into your state. Damn, I do not know how you live there. It was winter time and colder than I can imagine.

    Reply
  75. Shari says

    August 25, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    Cole cracks me up. Even his sandcastles are a engineering work of art. Hope you have some serious tuition saved for his engineering degree.
    : )

    Reply
  76. Nancy says

    August 25, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    That was just day 1! Enjoyed the rehash.

    Reply
  77. Susan Tethal says

    August 26, 2009 at 12:03 am

    Oh you made me laugh! And I so needed that. You have an amazing family Cathy, enjoy every minute with them! Can’t wait for Day 2.

    Reply
  78. Thinkie says

    August 26, 2009 at 3:56 am

    LOL, we went to Mora, Sweden this summer! (as part of a trainjourney to the north of Sweden. We didn’t get too far up north though, because our train derailed and wrecked the track after Arvidsjaur, no wounded fortunately! Since it would take them days to repair it we went a bit back south and then west instead, to Trondheim, Norway).
    My Dala horse is tiny and dangles as a little keychain from this years traveljournal πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  79. Jennifer Larson says

    August 26, 2009 at 7:34 am

    Nice to see the Lindstrom water tower–my grandparents used to live near there in Center City. And I love your fast food rule–we had that rule this year on vacation near Seattle, and I think it will be a permanent thing.

    Reply
  80. reyanna says

    August 26, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    That one photo of Cole under the tire… hilarious! I laughed out loud! I LOVE your family. Friggin’ awesome! πŸ˜€

    Reply
  81. Jodee says

    August 26, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Cathy, you and your blog are always good for a laugh, giggle and a smile! Love it and thank you for that! Love your account of northern Minnesota. My fav so far is the street sign and pose with it! Hilarious! Makes me want to visit that. We are traveling to Brainard area in September but we weren’t planning on going further north. Now I wish we were! Thanks for the fun post! Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply
  82. sue says

    August 26, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    Ok first you were in Duluth like my last year’s vacation and now you saw the Dala horse just like we did too. I thought my husband was the only one who found that weird vacation site on the internet!! Very fun pics!! I have one of a giant Dala horse in Sweden too!!

    Reply
  83. Angela says

    August 26, 2009 at 11:04 pm

    We’re headed on a driving vacation next week and I think I just might have to borrow some of your photo ideas. The two with Cole and the giant tire made me laugh out loud. I also love the ones over the water, especially the rainbow. Would like to know a bit about your editing process, if any, for the photos posted on your blog – they are stunning. Thank you for sharing a bit of your staycation.

    Reply
  84. April Z says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    You guys take the best photos! We actually just got back from a family vacation in Duluth and up the north shore and now I’m realizing that we missed so many photo opportunities. I did force my son to have his photo taken with the giant rooster in Two Harbors, but he didn’t enjoy it. What really cracks me up is that I drive through Lindstrom several times a week and I’ve never thought to take a picture of the water tower (even though I do think it’s cool) or the bar sign. I think you’ve just given me inspiration for my vacation next year!!

    Reply
  85. Gina Ausmus says

    August 28, 2009 at 7:06 am

    Dear Cathy,
    This was my favorite section of your family vacation. I hail from Pine City, have lived in Duluth, and now reside in Cloquet(minus a few pesky years in Iowa somewhere inbetween.) I love all your shots and goofiness. Thanks, Gina

    Reply
  86. www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkQ-gGnhW0HpniOLzMzq_nWVTIFxF33P2c says

    September 5, 2009 at 7:31 am

    Oh, Cathy! THIS is what I love about you and your family. Y’all took the perfect vacation, so full of fun and laughter, and then you shared it with us and made us feel like a part of things. Thanks for the memories!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Categories

  • Cards
  • Crafts
  • CZ Life
  • Free Downloads
  • Products & Classes
  • Project Life
  • Scrapbooking
  • Tutorials

Archives

Footer

About

I'm Cathy Zielske and this is one of my homes on the World Wide Web. Want to learn more about me? By all means, click the link below:

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Let’s Connect

If you have specific questions that can’t be answered by stalking me on social media, please click below:

Categories

  • Cards
  • Crafts
  • CZ Life
  • Free Downloads
  • Products & Classes
  • Project Life
  • Scrapbooking
  • Tutorials

Copyright © 2023 Cathy Zielske Β· site by bello via design