Mud season. It’s that season between winter and summer where the weather starts getting warmer. You can feel the sun’s intensity on your face. Snow piles shrink, creeks and rivers swell, and everything turns to mud. That’s what happens at my house, anyway.
I spent the first 30 years of my life in Anoka County, which, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, is a sand plain. When we moved to the Northland more than a decade ago, I wasn’t prepared for how much the composition of the earth I was standing on would change, and the implications to my daily life. The North Shore Highlands ecological type borders Lake Superior and has quite a bit of variation. The parcel where I live is clay: thick, slippery, difficult to dig, and nearly impossible to grow anything in.
During mud season, as the ground is half frozen, snow melts, rain falls, and most of it goes… nowhere. That’s the state of my yard. The chickens tear up the ground near the coop, and the dogs and humans track mud into the house. The days are longer, the sun shines, but the full enjoyment of spring evades me.
So, I’ll daydream a little and put some hikes on the list while we wait for the trails—and my yard—to dry out. Here are two local eateries with good access to hiking trails: Dawson Diner in Thunder Bay, and Bridgeman’s in Duluth.
Dawson Diner, Thunder Bay
Dawson Diner is a quintessential diner just a bit off the beaten path. Formerly Sweet G’s, it has been renovated, renamed, and is busy serving what you’d expect a classic diner to serve: sandwiches, burgers, soup, and breakfast all day every day.
The menu includes delicious Finnish pancakes, along with a variety of meals and combinations. The classic breakfast features two eggs served with your choice of ham, bacon, or sausage, along with toast and home fries. Other classics include steak and eggs, French toast, and eggs Benedict. For lunch, you might try a plate of locally made pierogies, liver and onions, or a hot turkey sandwich smothered in gravy. Dawson Diner also offers soup and salad, and regularly changes out their soup of the day with delicious options like turkey rice, cabbage roll, and tomato macaroni. In all, their menu reads like a traditional diner menu, with mouth-watering classics to choose from.
Dawson Diner also offers holiday takeout specials. For Easter, they served a roasted turkey dinner, complete with your choice of fruit pie or whipped cheesecake, and for Thanksgiving, options included turkey dinner or lasagna—a hearty, home-cooked meal without any of the cooking. These specials are regularly posted on their Facebook page, so keep an eye out there for upcoming opportunities.
Hiking Suggestion: The Toivo Trail Loop is a 1-mile loop about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from Dawson Diner. With only about 65 feet (20 meters) of elevation gain throughout the trail, it’s a relatively flat and easy hike—a great way to get out among the trees for a pre- or post-meal stroll.
Bridgeman’s, Duluth
While we’re on the topic of quintessential diners, Bridgeman’s restaurant in Duluth fits the bill. What began as a door-to-door source of fresh milk in Duluth became Bridgeman’s Ice Cream Shoppe, opening its first location in Duluth in 1936. Bridgeman’s grew quickly, and its reputation for delicious ice cream endures.
Duluth is now home to the only remaining Bridgeman’s restaurant. Locally owned and operated, it remains a popular spot. Breakfast is served all day, featuring Swedish pancakes, French toast, and more. The Big Fat Greek Skizzle is a plate of crispy hash browns topped with seasoned lamb, over-easy eggs, spinach, tomatoes, feta, and house-made tzatziki sauce. Other options include a grits and gravy breakfast bowl, chicken and cornbread biscuits, and avocado toast.
Bridgeman’s also offers a variety of burgers and sandwiches. The Bridgeman’s Burger is topped with American cheese and a thick slice of bacon, while the Firehouse Burger is adorned with pepper jack cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and chipotle aioli. All burgers can be substituted with a house-made wild rice patty for no additional charge.
And, of course, dessert. The front case is filled with ice cream flavors like salted caramel espresso, raspberry fudge torte, cookies and cream, and rainbow sherbet. Bridgeman’s is also home of the Mega Malt, an oversized malt bursting with flavor and served in a souvenir mason jar. The front case is also home to a variety of cakes, pies, and cookies that quickly sell out.
Hiking Suggestion: Ely’s Peak is more or less an out-and-back hike with spectacular views of the St. Louis River and Lake Superior. Part of the Superior Hiking Trail, it requires paying attention to trail blazes on trees and rocks. While not a difficult hike, this one requires some climbing and includes just under 400 feet (122 meters) of elevation gain over 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers). The trail also features the Ely Tunnel—an old railroad tunnel—where hikers can traverse and experience complete darkness. At 520 feet (158 meters) long, the tunnel is deep enough that no light reaches the center.
Thankfully, mud season is temporary, and it won’t be long until we can hit the trails and find that sweet spot between the mud and the bugs. And fortunately, we don’t have to wait for any kind of weather to check out these diners—they’re ready for you any time of year.