Mom, Bailie, and I recently took a road trip to Duluth in my 2016 Kia Sorento. If you follow me on social media you may have seen some photos of me and the car. I will be posting a review on it next week. I can tell you, it is an awesome SUV! Mom, Katie, and I were up to Duluth and actually a bit further north to the Split Rock Light House a few years ago, but it was Bailie’s first time.
One thing we all were wild about in the Sorento was the navigation. We have seen a lot of different navigation screens but this one was by far the most fun, and easiest to read. Duluth is located on the North Shore. According to this screenshot, we were about six minutes from our destination, and look at the picture. How could you drive the wrong way with such a clear picture of where to drive?
Since we had such a nice car, I wanted to be sure it was secure before we left to go exploring. Luckily, I found this anchor to hook up to the car. I figure it wouldn’t float away in the lake, and no one could drive it away either.
We started our exploration in Canal Park, an old warehouse district that has been converted to all kinds of shops and restaurants, and is located right on Lake Superior. No road trip to Duluth would be complete with out photos of the aerial lift bridge which is a major landmark in Duluth. The span began life as an extremely rare transporter bridge, the first of just two such bridges ever constructed in the United States. Originally built in 1905, the bridge was upgraded in 1929β30 to a vertical lift bridge, which is rather uncommon, and continues to operate today. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 1973.
I wouldn’t want the car to feel left out, so we snapped a shot of the car with some of the bridge in the background. Pretty sharp looking car, I must say. Now imagine me behind the wheel, cruising along. It’s a wonder other cars don’t simply drive off the road in awe!
This is a shot of me at the beginning of the pier. See the big cargo ship out there waiting to come into port?
Bailie and I did some rock climbing. You can see the lighthouse in the background on the right, and the city of Duluth on the left.
The ship behind us in this photo is the S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum. Of course, we were not allowed to go on board, but it was still fun to see such a big boat close up.
They offer lots of different boat tours here, but in the off season, the place is closed which explains why Bailie is the only one waiting!
After exploring Canal Park, we drove across the aerial lift bridge and went to a nice beach to do some walking around. I let Mom do the driving in town, and I made myself comfy in the back of the Sorento. I put my 4Knines SUV cargo liner in the back to keep it nice and clean. It is so easy to move it from one vehicle to another, just unclip the two headrest straps and take it out. In the next vehicle, simply resnap the headrest clips. If you are looking for a cargo liner or seat cover, I highly recommend 4Knines. (Affiliate link)
If you saw my post yesterday about the Barkworthies, the photos were from this beach. This is a photo our road trip navigator took of Mom and me working on the review. We had no idea about it until we were back home.
I love this shot of me with my shadow! That is Duluth in the background.
Before we headed back home, Bailie and I took one last shot on the beach. You can see the big cargo ship in the background still waiting to get into port. That was our road trip to Duluth. Awesome weather, great car, super fun day! We all decided we want to go back again and spend a couple days to really go hiking, play in the water, etc, but either early spring or late fall, not during tourist season.
I like it!!!! an because it looks even great in white, it must be a really cool car… not all cars can wear white :o) I love the navigation, that would be the best thing for my staff … has it a penalty button too for ignorant drivers who will not listen to the gps-girl?
No penalty for ignoring the lady in the nav box, but pretty easy to follow. The car was awesome. I will be reviewing it next week.
Some giant ears you found there and many other beautiful sites. Nice ride!
We had a super fun day and such perfect weather.
you know one of the things I find in new cars is there are too many distractions – sat nav, fancy radios, email – all things that lead you to take your eyes for a moment – and a moment is all it takes to end up in serious trouble. Wouldn’t it be cool if some car company actually came out with a simplified basic car for us oldies who don’t need or want all that fancy stuff
They do have tons of fancy stuff, but the only things Mom uses are the regular radio, one station, turns it on and leaves it, and the navigation because we would be lost forever without it. She can’t read a map and this way we don’t get lost.
nice trip Emma! To tell the truth my sister loves road trips … but I don’t really. I cry a lot during the ride –then I finally fall asleep. And I love when we get to the destination. Mom doesn’t know why I cry. She wishes I wouldn’t. Love your photos! your doodle friend Dash
Thank you. I wonder why you cry too. We all love to go in the car and see where we will end up…as long as it isn’t the vet! We usually sleep a lot during the ride too…when I’m not driving I mean.
Emma –maybe that’s it! Mom should let me drive!!
There you go! I always like to be in control myself!
The town of my birth!!! I could only remember traveling to the airport to travel to Florida. Thanks for the beautiful memories. π XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
We thought of you when we were exploring. It is a fun town for a day or two. The lake and beach were our favorite part.
I love all the pictures. Both of you are sooooo photogenic !
Thank you. We did have some behavior issues as there was so much going on around us we couldn’t seem to look at the camera, but sometimes it’s good to have photos which are not perfect.
That car is fantastic, and it looks like the trip was just beautiful!!
α¦ husky hugz α¦ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
The car was great and the entire day trip was so much fun. A really nice day!
Perfect fall road trip. Have to enjoy the sand before it’s buried under snow for the winter.
That is right. Mom and I almost got washed out to sea too because a big wave came and she didn’t see it coming. Luckily she got the camera up high enough just in time. I got a bit wet, but I don’t mind.
What a nice ride you have! You gotta love a good road trip
Lily & Edward
It was just my car for a week to review. It turned into a pumpkin again last Wednesday when the guys came and picked it up. Sure was fun while it lasted!
You girls had fun!
We had a great road trip.
You sure get to have so many nice and interesting adventures!!!
We like to get out and about as much as we can. Dogs like it, most cats not so much. I think cat bro Bert would go along if we invited him.
Looks like a fun day – love the car and that navigation is cool.
The car was great! So much space I almost got lost in it!
What a great road trip! I love all of the exciting places. That is the coolest navigation system that I’ve ever seen! You should buzz down here and pick me up next time. I can show you the bayous of Louisiana and we can eat lots of delicious food. I’m trying to talk Mom into letting me bring my Rabbit treats and eat some of your yummy turkey for Thanksgiving. I don’t know if she’ll go for it though. XXOO Bentley β₯
We totally loved the nav in that car! So awesome! I would love to come down there and hang out. My mom says I won’t have a lot of time for fun on Thanksgiving since I’m making the turkey, but I would think I could get away after dinner.
You go to the coolest places, Emma! There’s so much to see there. Love the car too, that navigation looks really awesome.
The car was amazing, really liked it, and the road trip was a lot of fun.
Kia Sorento, huh! You girls sure get around! Mom keeps promising me we will travel, but so far it has mostly been taking my new little brother , El Bee, to the vet for puppy shots – not photo shoots!
Your friend, Chablis
We are on the move a lot. The Sorento was a lot of fun for the week too!
That looks like an awesome road trip!
It was great, and not too far.
Looks like a fun trip!
We had a real good time, especially at the beach.
Love that beach picture!! Another fun adventure for you all!!
Thank you. The beach was my favorite part of the whole trip!
Road trips are SO fun, especially when you have a great car to do it in. Is it roomy? Nevermind, I’ll wait for your review.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Emma!
For us it was simply too big, so yes, very spacious, but next week I’ll go over it more.
Looks like a fun trip and it was not too cold. This time of year you never know….lol. I just read something about a ship being held at Duluth harbor for some sort of investigation. I wonder if it is still there?
The weather could not have been better in mid November. I haven’t heard about any ships being held, the one we saw was waiting to come in.
What a fun day! Beach looked A-mazing but a little brisk! Happy to hear you enjoyed the car.
For you warm weather lovers, it would have been chilly, but for us, it was perfect!