Why I love the Twin Ports

First, let’s get a couple things straight: I’m not trying to outdo Sam Cook who does an outstanding job, and I am a cool weather fan.

My hot weather fan friends can never seem to understand my wilting when temperatures get into the 80s.

I do sincerely love living in the Twin Ports, and will spell out a few of the reasons. The big lake, Superior, has to be No. 1. Second largest fresh water lake in the world, and is right here for our enjoyment every day of the year. It has a variety of moods; you may not like them all, but even its most strident moods are a sight to behold.

Some readers are thinking, “Has this fellow ever seen beautiful?” Let me tell you about one comparison only. My last five years in Montana were in Hamilton in the Bitteroot Valley. So beautiful, that the locals felt there should be gates at each end with only three-day passes issued to visitors. Truly beautiful with the Bitteroot River winding through the valley with snow-capped Bitterroot Mountain peaks on the west and the Sapphires on the east with streams dashing down into the valley.

As school superintendent, I received an unbelievable number of teacher applicants who had merely driven through our valley. Beautiful? You bet your life.

But we have real beauty here in our Twin Ports. Superior has the natural harbor, a 4,600-acre city forest within the city limits, the world headquarters of Exodus Machines, which recently have brought in a project for Caterpillar that is predicted to bring in 300 new jobs and the Kestrel Aircraft Co. predicting 600 new jobs.

Duluth has Spirit Mountain for skiers, Hawk Ridge for the birders and sixteen scenic trout streams within the city limits. Both cities have scenic hiking and biking trails. Three bridges tie the two cities together with people living on one side, some working on the other side and recreating available on both.

We have the St. Louis River betwixt and between with walleye fishing of camera quality. Will there be enough snow for snowshoeing? You’re joking. Haven’t mentioned the boating and lakeshore activities. What more can we ask for?

The Twin Ports is large enough to provide great services: three notable institutions of higher education, technical schools on both sides, major reputable hospitals and great shopping opportunities. But not so large that we often get tied up in traffic or have great difficulties obtaining parking within walking distance of shops.

Friendly people, you bet. Don’t start a conversation if you haven’t got time to talk or listen.

Yes, I know some people that spent their work life here, leave for part of the winters and some leave permanently after retiring. Difficult to understand that unless they are going back to areas with family ties.

I love living in the Twin Ports!

Do I understand why Mayor Bruce Hagen returned to Superior after many years of work in the Madison-area? With his keen perception and love of the city, the future continues to look good for the city of Superior.

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D, is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@centurytel.net.

Tags: twin ports, community, seniors