Byway stories shared around kettle of soup

They came to taste the split pea with ham soup served by the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association's "Pea Soup Shorty," artfully characterized by board member Wayne Chamberlain.

Between noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, the byway's soup stand at Crosslake's Bait Box Marina served nearly 60 bowls of burly lumberjack-sturdy pea soup with ham to Crosslake Winterfest visitors.

Between spoonfuls of soup the taste-testers chatted with PBSBA representatives about the byway. Most knew Paul Bunyan, as well as many of his cast of characters. Some had to have the new deck of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway playing cards featuring 13 of the logging camp characters at various events along the byway.

Some soup sippers had roots in the area as far back as the turn of the century and enjoyed every minute of telling their stories. Others recited heartfelt longings for "the little cabin we always went to when we were young" as the reason for their retirement move to the lakes area.

Several talked about places along the byway route that are personal favorites, such as Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area and Veterans Walking Trail, both on County Road 16.

Within that two hours around the soup kettle, the essence of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway route came to life; rich stories from the people, the strong role of recreation and the lodging industry that supports it, the appeal of the charming, winking whimsy of Paul Bunyan lore, and the 54-mile route that serves as the necklace on which to hang these gems.

Did Pea Soup Shorty's split pea with ham soup win the People's Choice award? No, it did not. Even though it didn't earn top billing, thanks to the people who shared their stories and took time to learn more about the byway as they tasted soup. The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway came out a winner indeed on Saturday in Crosslake.

To learn more about the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, go to www.paulbunyanscenicbyway.org.