As always, Ramos provides us with food for thought. Great report, John, thanks for giving us the real story behind the hype.

Cheers to Ramos for keeping the Lyle Lanley's in check.

I love the Alpine slide in Lutsen. I think they have some kind of deal, you pay in the $20 range for unlimited sliding? I know we've done it all day there, we love it so much.

What about getting that independent, nonprofit journalist thing going and paying Ramos for this kind of work? This article was a more satisfying journalistic meal than anything I've seen out of the DNT in at least a couple of years!

Good article.

I did think it was a great idea, thanks for ruining it with the facts again Ramos!  Once I saw the rides were gonna be $8 each (or thereabouts, I decided that me and local people like me would never utilize it enough to make it viable). In my opinion, one of the problems with the aquarium from when it was built is that the prices were a teench to high for our economy.  Once the so-called slade-gate hit and alienated thousands of local greenies, environmentalists, and other outdoors types, the place was screwed.  

Speaking of good reporting ... could we see a story on how vitally important LOCAL people and customers are to making and "next big thing" work sustainably.

As someone is a vaguely tourist oriented business I appreciate all of the visitors coming buy to spend their $, but I know its the regulars coming back once or twice a month that are gonna make or break the venture.  

Oh ... back to the $8 rides.  If Calk's number $20 is for an all-day pass is accurate, while that certainly sounds better, but it my case with 5 of us, that would be $100.  I still don't think we'd go much.  By contrast, the community pond/pool in Cloquet is very nice and they charge about $25 for families to use the place for the season.  I know the admission costs may not be able to cover the bills, but every time I drove by there this summer the place was packed.

The Lutsen Alpine Slide is $7.50 per ride, $22 for 5 rides or $30 for unlimited rides.

I think Goat Hill needs an Alpine Slide, except it needs to be car-sized... oh, wait, they have that already...

Ramos's report needs to be read by everyone who lives in this city and will be affected by this proposal, if it moves forward. It's already been re-posted on Progressive Action. Ramos, maybe you could suck it in and submit it to the Reader?

What's "The Reader"?