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PHOTOS BY: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/TASTOCKE; JIM ROSVOLD; MINNESOTA STATE 20 MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // DECEMBER.2016 he other side of Thompson Hill marks an introduction to Lake Superior's largest metropolitan area. One hun- dred fifty miles and one climb away from the Twin Cities, the Great Lake gives away a grand impression well worth the trip. You don't forget the view entering Duluth from the south off of Interstate 35. Blue water as far as the eye can see. The famous Lift Bridge. Ships. Steep hills that have no place in a flat land. In the fall, leaves are showing their different colors. It's a landscape portrait straight out of a Bob Ross painting. And that's before any college hockey gets played at the arena down in the corner next to the lake. Traveling on the road to cover college hockey brings a new experience every weekend. Mountains. Prairie. Skyscrapers. Double rainbows. Each building, unique as a snowf lake, packed with history and student traditions. Each trip is an adventure between depar- ture and destination. Every city, every col- lege has its own charm, quirks and food. Minnesota families have several options to follow their favorite team, visit a new city and make new memories. Here are some of my favorite college hockey road trips. Minnesota hockey's guide to exploring local and regional college hockey treasures T BY NATE WELLS ROAD Duluth, Minnesota AMSOIL Arena Minnesota's newest college hockey arena opened in December 2010 next door to the old DECC which the Bulldogs called home for 45 years. In that time AMSOIL has seen a men's hockey national championship banner raised, a women's hockey national championship decided, and numerous big games in the nearly six years of hockey played there. The arena has several nods to tradition walking around the concourse, including a display to the fact no school has more Hobey Baker Award win- ners than UMD. While the mixture of maroon and gold seats are put together without a pattern, there are no bad seats in either the upper or lower bowl. AMSOIL Arena is located next to downtown Duluth and Canal Park. Both spots have multiple hotels and restaurants. It's easy to spend a night watching a game, grabbing a slice at Pizza Luce downtown afterwards, and follow it up with a great breakfast the next morning at Amazing Grace Bakery and Café. 1