renee5k

This is one of my favorite places in the world. No cars, just bikes, horses and people walking. Gorgeous views. I recommend renting a tandem bike and touring around the entire island. It’s only 8 miles around!

I went to high school here.

I ran the Minnesota Half Voyageur Trail Marathon here in 2005. It is beautiful!!!

I ran the William Irvin 5k here two years in a row. The city is beautiful, especially running along the water. There’s a nice free maritime museum along the water as well.

I saw the 2003 World Cross Country Championships here. It was a great trip – I stopped by the Olympic Museum and saw the running shoes of Lasse Virren!

A beautiful little town just 20 minutes up the hill from Florence. There are some steep hiking trails. Check out JJ Hill’s pub or visit La Reggia for some delicious pasta. :-) I lived here for three months in Hotel Villa Bonelli – the people are great!

Although I live nearby, I still think it’s a worthwhile place to visit, because this mall contains a number of stores you can’t find anywhere else in Minnesota.