Tales of the Road: Highway 61

Cathy Wurzer is well known to Minnesotans as a host of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Edition, and is one of Minnesota's best journalists. In this book, Tales of the Road, Highway 61, a companion to a PBS documentary of the same name (which I have not seen), Cathy Wurzer travels the quintessential highway in Minnesota, Highway 61. Memorialized by Minnesota native Bob Dylan, Highway 61 stretches from the Canadian Border at Grand Portage and goes all the way to the Iowa border (although its re-signed as Interstate 35 for a good portion of its route). Wurzer takes us along this entire route, north to south, stopping at the famous locales, as well as the less heralded locations. Even more poignantly, like her visit to the tragic tale of rollingstone colony, only the site and a few ruins remain of one-interesting venues, attractions and historical sites. This is where the power and strength of Wurzer's writing comes through best. Her stories about the famous Split Rock Lighthouse, Tobie's, and the Aerial Lift Bridge are strong writing, interesting and show good scholarship. Its her stories about the venues which are lost or are fading away, venues that, even though I have traveled much of Highway 61, I've never *heard* of, is where the strength of the book lies. The next time this amateur photographer and transplant into Minnesota travels Highway 61, I will be taking this book along, so that I can find the sites and places, and stories that Wurzer has so ably brought to life. Any Minnesotan, local or expat, would do well to have this book as part of their library.

Having traveled the upper half of Highway 61 (Minneapolis to the Canadian border) for over over 60 years, I can report that Cathy Wurzer has captured the many places of interest, history, and curiosity along that highway. Many are gone, some enhanced, and some crumbling, but she has used old photos to bring the descriptions and places to life. The book brings back many memories of childhood, youth, and current trips to a cabin off Highway 61 on the North Shore of Lake Superior. After reading the book, I am looking forward to a trip on Highway 61 from the Twin Cities traveling down the southern part of the highway, along the Mississippi River. Again, old photos, good details, and history make this book a joy to read - whether you've traveled on Highway 61 already, or want to plan a road trip with historical sights, places, and contemporary enjoyment.

This book, of which I bought 3 , is so interesting in places we want to see along the highway and love the recommendations.