The Duluth Zephyr: Silver Club, Part 3

The Silver Club car has an interesting mix of flat and fluted panels.

The Silver Club has Federal Railroad Administration required marker lights for when it is the last car on a train.

The Duluth Zephyr: Silver Club, Part 2

The upper level of the Silver Club gives riders a better view of their surroundings than any airplane, bus, or car.

The lower level of the Silver Club gives riders a near to the ground view of their surroundings.

The Duluth Zephyr: Silver Club, Part 1

Here is the door to the Silver Club, lower level restroom.

The Silver Club restroom was certainly designed before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was made into law.

The now demolished Thunderbird Motel located in Bloomington, Minnesota

I hope that a new, family-friendly Thunderbird Motel, designed for all types of conventions, will be constructed upon the same land as the former Thunderbird Motel.  I did love attending conventions at that well-maintained and updated motel.

MLP-MSP 2014 pony plush

I found a pony plush wearing an attractive hat during MLP-MSP 2014.

MLP-MSP 2014 with James!

This is the only time in my life, so far, that I’ve stood next to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.  I also love that reflection in the glass to the left of the image.

MLP-MSP 2014 with Kathy!

Here is an artistic shot of Kathy taking pictures of adult fans cosplaying as characters from My Little Pony:  Friendship is Magic, a show designed for 5 to 11-year-old girls.

“Kathy and the Cosplayers”, that phrase sounds like the name of a musical group.

What I found at the DECC Parking ramp

I found something strange on the floor of the third floor of the parking ramp.

I have no idea why is this arrow is here and why is it pointing northeast on the wide pedestrian walkway.

The former Astoria Hotel is now demolished

I hope that a bigger, mixed-use replacement structure will replace the Astoria Hotel in 2023.

The relocated Bentleyville USA gift shop

This year, the Bentleyville gift shop moved from the Bayfront Family Center structure to a much larger gift shop tent.  The gift shop tent reminds me of the Black Mesa research structures, found on Xen, in the Black Mesa game.

My second Thanksgiving meal at the DECC

I love the artsy shadow of my camera and hands on the table.

Thanksgiving Day celebration at the DECC

Due to the national turkey shortage, the staff served me an excellent ham dinner this year.

What I unexpectedly found in Duluth, Minnesota on February 23, 2022

I saw this Jefferson Lines bus was stuck on an icy patch on West Michigan Street and north of the Fourth Avenue Auto Park.  I was very surprised that that huge bus could become stuck on a small patch of ice.

What I unexpectedly found in Duluth, Minnesota on July 20, 2020

While I can understand, “Enjoy today”; I can’t comprehend, “Say yay to they.”

What I unexpectedly found in Duluth, Minnesota on May 18, 2020

I found this nicely printed sign at the door of the Wells Fargo Downtown Duluth branch.  This was just one of many COVID-19 lockdowns all around my home city.

What I unexpectedly found in Duluth, Minnesota on April 17, 2020

On Superior Street and next to Burggraf's Ace Hardware, I found the transit stop had been thoughtlessly vandalized by ugly graffiti.

What I unexpectedly found in Duluth, Minnesota on March 19, 2020

On Superior Street, I found a dump truck with a flat, front tire.  The dump truck had been driving westbound and had stopped next to the Duluth Technology Village.

What I unexpectedly found in Duluth, Minnesota on August 22, 2019

I found an abandoned ice cream treat and spoon on the east side of the Harbor Drive viaduct.  Why would anyone leave an intact ice cream treat on the top of an Interstate 35 viaduct?

I wrote this report as a student in Woodland Middle School, Duluth, Minnesota

I started my advocacy for passenger trains before I started growing facial hair.  I also wrote this report on a manual typewriter, something that I have not done for decades.

This is also my 100 post to my blog for 2022!

Bentleyville hot cocoa

Yesterday, I walked up to the Bentleyville Cookie House.  The nice lady asked me if I wanted hot chocolate.  To which I replied, “That would be cool.”  I then quickly added, “Sorry for the bad pun.”  She replied with, “No need to apologize as I know what you meant.”

My return to Bentleyville USA 2022, Part 5

The big Bentleyville Christmas Tree is always an impressive sight.

There is a unicorn pony at Bentleyville?  Is that a crafty reference to the My Little Pony franchise?

My return to Bentleyville USA 2022, Part 4

I’m not sure what cute dinosaurs have to do with Christmas.  Yet, these dinosaurs do look cool.

Many people agree that there is “Snow much fun at Bentleyville.”

My return to Bentleyville USA 2022, Part 3

The Salvation Army has a gift drop off area in Bentleyville.

I love those Bentleyville snowmen.

My return to Bentleyville USA 2022, Part 2

I found additional new Christmas displays on the main path to Bentleyville.

Also on the main path, I found an overhead sign welcoming visitors to Bentleyville.

My return to Bentleyville USA 2022, Part 1

This is the main gateway to Bentleyville USA 2022 on Harbor Drive.

There are many new Christmas displays this year.

 

What I found at Duluth’s Fourth Avenue Auto Park

By happenstance while I walked alongside Depot Road; I found the 96 parking spot at Duluth’s Fourth Avenue Auto Park.  I love how artful the stenciled number 96 appears on the rough asphalt.

I loved watching “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is so entertaining that it does not feel as long as the 2h 41m runtime.

The King Manor fire alarms were set off and then the Duluth Fire Department arrived, part 3

I took this image of people walking east on Second Street.  I thought this was a cool reflection, as I love images that have reflections.

The King Manor fire alarms were set off and then the Duluth Fire Department arrived, part 2

This image was taken on the Second Street skywalk looking west.

The King Manor fire alarms were set off and then the Duluth Fire Department arrived, part 1

This image was taken on the Second Street skywalk looking east.

What is on King Manor’s fourth floor bulletin board for November 8, 2022?

I hope that King Manor residents’ club officer candidates should get a chance, an hour or two, talking to residents to explain why they should get the residents’ votes.

I got my socks at Minnesota Surplus & Outfitters

I referenced Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, when I told the clerk, “Sir, Sock It To Me”.

 

It is a bonus to me as these are Railroad Socks.

What is on King Manor’s fifth floor bulletin board for November 7, 2022?

Surprised that voting for King Manor residents’ club officers will be this November?

My Little Pony: A New Generation (G5) merchandise

I intend to give this cute book to Kathy’s grandchildren.

I’m reading “The Second Male Lead is Actually a Girl”

I know that I haven’t reviewed a comic that I’ve reading in a while.  I love this great story with excellent art.  I hope this graphic novel gets an animated series.  In addition, I’d love to play a full immersion virtual reality (VR) game of this heartwarming story.

This building is the former Astoria Hotel

The former Astoria Hotel is located at 102 East Superior Street.  This building was once home for the Chinese Dragon Restaurant, Hucklebeary stationery store, and Old Towne Antiques.  It was approved for demolition by the Duluth City Council.  I hope another hotel, with some space for stores, could be built at this site.