Strange Tales

If it hadn’t been for the inaccurate, error-laden Mitchel Map of 1755, a large chunk of northeastern Minnesota—including Duluth and Grand Marais—might have become part...

Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Lake Superior was a popular cruising area for the wealthy owners of luxury steam yachts. Here’s a...

Ever wonder what happened to steam side-wheelers (aka paddle-steamers) once so prominent on Lake Superior waters? Here’s a look at the timeline of the legendary...

Back in August 2024, my Northern Wilds article “Shorthand Writing: The Cryptic Code of the Past” talked about the hand-written shorthand systems of the past...

Lighthouse keepers had their fair share of shipwreck rescues and riding out storms. But many of them had good tales to tell, too. Here’s a...

Years ago, a Thunder Bay colleague told me they made a point of going away each Christmas to avoid the stress and hustle-bustle of Christmas,...

In his book, The Best Travel Writing 2010: True Stories From Around the World, editor-writer Michael McGee had an interesting observation. He wrote, “When travelling,...

Many of us have used or heard the phrase “Holy Mackerel” when expressing surprise, excitement, wonder or disbelief. But why that fish and not “Holy...