Latest Blog Posts

Signs of Christmas…

An Old Hwy 61 blurb by Gail Gates Psst. Christmas is around the corner. And, depending on whether you plan ahead or gleefully wait until the laaaaaaast possible moment to buy gifts, I have an idea for you.  You can think of it as “a sign” from above. Sort of. Depending on where you hang […]

The Romance of a Covered Bridge

An Old Highway 61 Blog by Gail Gates “The wisdom of bridges comes from the fact that they know both sides; they know both shores!” ~ Mehmet Murat Ildan   I admit that I cried when I first read The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. The longing for connection, the love affair, […]

Moose Lake, MN, Agate Days 2024

An Old Highway 61 Blog by Gail Gates “If it weren’t for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song.” –Carl Perkins It’s a scorching July day, sweat glistening, as I made my way to Moose Lake, MN, for the 55th annual Agate Days. But hey, it’s Minnesota in July, so a […]

Clay, Cars, and Crazy Fun Events

An Old Highway 61 Blog by Gail Gates I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it. –Rita Mae Brown So, there I was, on a normally quiet highway, completely jammed up. A harried young man tried his best to direct cars to enter and leave politely, but horns were […]

Your Next Adventure: History & Art in Carlton County

Make your way around Carlton County in this history and art tour! While this adventure requires a little driving between towns it is worth it to check out the different history offered and different perspectives in the area. You can check out a local veteran’s memorial, public art, and a couple great museums with this […]

Your Next Adventure: Art with Heart

The distance between Hallberg Center for the Arts, Wyoming, MN, and the 210 Gallery and Arts Center in Sandstone, MN, is about 58 miles. With a stop at Pine Center for the Arts in Pine City, MN, (which is in between the aforementioned towns) you’ll experience a lovely “Art Immersion.” Depending on the individual gallery’s […]

Your Next Adventure: Summer Bike Ride on Old Highway 61

Relive the freedom of summers spent cruising on your bike through your neighborhood along Old Highway 61 and the Sunrise Prairie Trail. The vintage charm of the little towns along the highway celebrates nostalgic Americana and you will discover unique shops, one-of-a-kind eateries, a great trail to ride on, and a renewed love for all […]

Your Next Adventure: Pine City History

Voyageurs, fur traders, an old schoolhouse, and fresh root beer! Within a small radius in Pine City, Minnesota, there are four places to visit with historical significance: the Snake RIver Fur Post, A&W All American Food, Rural School Museum, and Voyageur Park with America’s Largest Redwood Chainsaw Carving – François the Voyageur. Because they’re so […]

Rusty Cars, Skateboard Park and Good Food. It’s Easy to “Fall” for Old Hwy 61

An Old Highway 61 Blog by Gail Gates As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see. –Vincent Van Gogh Spoiler alert! Summer is fading–boo hiss!–and fall is quietly becoming quite beautiful. I would suggest you smell the screen to see if you […]

The Great Hinckley Fire

An Old Highway 61 Blog by Gail Gates Between three and five o’clock on the afternoon of September 1, 1894, a raging forest fire driven by strong southwest winds swept over the town of Hinckley, killing 248 residents. The conflagration burned over 480 square miles in parts of five counties, also consuming the surrounding towns […]

Old Hwy. 61 …Painting The Town Red. (And Blue and Black and…)

March 3, 2017ArtsMahtowaMoose LakeNorth BranchPine City

Biking Along Old Hwy 61

August 17, 2016Outdoor Recreation

Focus on Old Hwy. 61: Willow River Dam, and a “Dam”

May 18, 2016FoodOutdoor RecreationWillow River

Focus on Old Hwy. 61: Feral Pack of Photographers

May 18, 2016Banning JunctionOutdoor Recreation

Winter. Now What?

February 6, 2019Outdoor RecreationPine CitySandstone

The Haunted Side Of Old Hwy. 61: Shadows, Sounds, and Plain ‘Ol Creepiness

The Haunted Side Of Old Hwy. 61: Shadows, Sounds, and Plain ‘Ol Creepiness

Focus On Old Hwy 61: What’s With Campgrounds These Days?

September 13, 2017Banning State ParkCampingCloquetMahtowaOutdoor RecreationPine City

Discover the Fun… Junk & Treasure on Old Highway 61

September 8, 2017ArtsBanning JunctionHarrisMahtowaMoose LakeNorth BranchPine CityShoppingStacyWillow RiverWyoming

U.S. Bike Route 41: Small Town Hospitality Served Warm and Welcoming Two Wheels At A Time

U.S. Bike Route 41: Small Town Hospitality Served Warm and Welcoming Two Wheels At A Time

A Growing Success Story Because of Covid-19

August 22, 2022North BranchOld Hwy 61 CoalitionShopping

Winter Meanderings on Old Hwy 61

February 23, 2022FoodHarrisRush CitySandstone

Vroom Vroom: The Drive to Enjoy Summer

August 20, 2021Classic CarsEventsMahtowaRush City

Brrr…inging You Winter Fun on Old Highway 61

February 16, 2021Banning State ParkOutdoor RecreationSandstone

You Don’t Know Beans About 2020

September 22, 2020 North Branch Pine City

Antiques, Thrift, Vintage & Occasional Shops

April 1, 2020AskovHarrisMahtowaMoose LakeNorth BranchPine CityRush CitySandstoneShopping

October… “Pumpkin To Talk About”

October 15, 2019FoodSandstoneSeasonsShopping

A “Sign” That You Are Cool

February 13, 2019Old Hwy 61 Coalition

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