MPR's Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer takes the show on the road to Duluth, for a special Mainstreet Radio broadcast on Monday, Feb. 4. The program explores what brought people to the area and why they stayed, as well as the changing economy of the region.

	MPR's Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer tries her hand (and feet) at ice climbing at Gooseberry Falls. (MPR Photo/Jim Bickal)

CATHY GOES ICE CLIMBING

It's been a bad year in Duluth for most winter sports. Snowmobilers and skiers have had a tough time finding enough snow. But the conditions have been pretty good for the sport of ice climbing. In fact, the frequent freeze and thaw cycles have added new textures and shapes to the ice, increasing the challenge.

Cathy Wurzer visited Gooseberry Falls outside Duluth with Kaija Webster, director of the Outdoor Program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, to try a climb herself. Kaija says, in some ways, ice climbing is a lot like rock climbing. Go ice climbing with Cathy.

	Frank is the lead dog on John Stetson's sled dog team. (MPR Photo/Jim Bickal)

MUSHER GETS READY FOR BEARGREASE

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, which runs every year along the North Shore, was supposed to begin this past weekend. But it has been postponed until early March, because there's not enough snow to run the race.

No one was looking forward to the race more than local musher John Stetson, who trains all year for the Beargrease with his dogs. He also runs Stetson's Epic Adventures, where he takes visitors on sled dog tours of the area.

Cathy Wurzer recently met with Stetson while he was training for the race. He says he's disappointed the Beargrease was postponed. Take a multimedia tour of Stetson's training and the Beargrease Marathon.

	Bob Kelleher, MPR reporter in Duluth, lives across the bridge in Superior, Wis. (MPR Photo/Jim Bickal)

WHY LIVE IN SUPERIOR?

Duluth gets most of the attention, but of course, there is another city that makes up the Twin Ports. Superior is just across the bridge on the Wisconsin side of the bay. We asked Minnesota Public Radio reporter Bob Kelleher, who lives in Superior, to take us to a quintessential Superior spot. He chose the Anchor Bar.

Located along notorious Tower Ave., the Anchor Bar is a cozy little watering hole, overflowing with artifacts from the shipping industry. Bob talked to Cathy Wurzer about why he chooses to live in Superior. Listen to their conversation.

	Poet Barton Sutter lives in northeastern Minnesota. (Photo by Catherine Koemptgen; courtesy of College of St. Benedict/St. John's University Men's Studies Project)

THE BIG LAKE

A visit to Duluth wouldn't be complete unless we paid proper homage to Lake Superior, the biggest freshwater lake in the world. Duluth writer and poet Barton Sutter, who lives along the lake, says it has a hold on him. Sutter, who has won Minnesota Book Awards for poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction, provides us with his salute to the lake. Sutter says gazing out over the vast body of water brings you down to size every day. Listen to his reflections.

UMD Outdoor Program