On May 1, two adventurers will hit the saddle and begin their documented journey around the Great Lakes of North America. We will spend three months bicycling over 5,000 miles on a journey that will take us through two countries, eight states, and over 20 major cities. As we undertake this epic journey we will be filming with high-definition cameras to document our experiences.
(more…)

OK, maybe there are more than twelve steps, and maybe they are not-so-easy. But the City of Duluth and the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District promised a “12-year schedule to stop sewage overflows.” That was back in 2004 (I think), so if my math is right we are 8 years into the plan. I don’t know about you, fellow Duluthians, but I am feeling irie!

Here it is early February, and spring is in the air. That means snow-melt, which admittedly won’t be a huge issue this year. But we know from past experience that spring melt and heavy rains can lead to sewer overflows. This is a problem worth understanding, and rather than trying to offer details here, I highly recommend WLSSD’s article on the topic (I and I Solutions – Inflow and Infiltration: When Clean Water Causes Problems!).

Read more about why I love the new storage tank in Canal Park, and overlook some of its less redeeming qualities (and see a photo) by visiting today’s Nature of Modern Life post.

When you look at old pictures of Duluth’s Cascade Park there is a creek that runs through it. Whatever happened to it? Why did people change it?

It’s visible in Finland — as in northern Europe, not Finland, Minn.
(more…)

Bjørn Jørgensen Image taken: Jan. 22, 2012 Location: Grøtfjord close to Tromsø, North Norway

Also to listen to the effects, check out the software defined radio from Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The low and middle bands show the activity.

Why even listen to the weather forecast? With the fizzle of yet another snow forecast into gray skies and brown ground, I’m about to give up hope on the cross country ski season. Time to pull out the ice skates and hit one of Duluth’s fine outdoor rinks.

Any recommendations about places to rent skates here in town?

Thought PDD would like this.

I’ve been having hot flashes. No, not that kind of hot flash. And if it were, I sure wouldn’t be writing about it here. I am talking about something more insidious: a societal hot flash.

Is anyone else losing patience with media references to “unseasonably warm” temperatures? This is a record-busting winter on all counts.

Case in point, Little Angie’s: “Opulent Ice House Coming Soon: December 9 Until Thaw!” High-end cocktails to be offered in a lounge made of ice blocks. But today I noticed the piled shards of melting ice scattered around the enclosure. They just couldn’t get the thing built.

For more ranting about the Duluth climate-change experience, including a couple of photos, please see my latest Nature of Modern Life blog post.

(And, yes, it would seem that the joke is on me. Winter is here today. Gone tomorrow? We’ll see.)

Doe anyone got deets on snow cover outside Finland? I’m heading into the woods for the day on Sunday. Yak Trax, snowshoes or both?

Thanks to all the pagan drummers and bonfire tenders, the sun came back up this morning. From Park Point, it was rising right over the mouth of the Amnicon River. Where was your solstice sunrise?

Here are a few musings on the topic.

Happy winter!

Chester Bowl Park is open for downhill skiing as of today. Daily lift tickets for all ages are $5.25. Details at chesterbowl.org.

Can anyone point me to good places to ice skate or cross-country ski on lakes around Duluth this week? Looking for lakes with a sheet of smooth-ish ice or with an inch or two of snow to ski on.

(more…)

The benefits of cutting your own — a seasonal question.

Although it’s not for everyone, one thing I love about the cut-your-own experience up north is that in theory it is available to anyone. We own our own land, which simplifies things. But the Superior National Forest offers tree cutting permits ($5 apiece) and anyone is free to go cut one for personal use.* Be sure to follow theirFollow this link for more musings and photos.

I am about 90% sure I am getting my first pair of snowshoes for Xmas this year. I have always wanted to get into this but need some advice on a few things. Besides the actual snowshoes, what kind of actual shoe is best to wear? Is snowshoeing something that needs to be practiced or is it pretty much walking in the snow? I live very close to Hartley Nature Center so that will be the main trail but where are some other good places to go in town? Any advice would be appreciated.

I was just trying to figure out trail mileage in Hartley on the internets. I found a good enough map on the Hartley Nature Center website, but while poking around I also saw on aerial maps that there is a lot of contiguous greenspace across Howard Gnesen Road to the west. Anyone know what is over there? Is it private or public, and are there trails? Not that there aren’t enough trails in Hartley to get good and lost without heading out of the park boundaries.

I’m curious if anyone has dates of estimated chair-lift openings at area [and by that I mean "day trip"] alpine hills? Lutsen was rumored to open on the 19th of November and Big Powderhorn is scheduled to open the 10th of December.

Any advice on where to look for early-season runs?

The 2011 Minnesota deer hunting season is officially open as of this morning.

I am coming to you from my deer stand in Kelsey, MN. It has been pretty quite morning thus far for our hunting party, but the season is still young.  Hopefully we harvest a few over the next few days.

How have others faired around the northland this season?

Good luck and be safe!

So, the brouhaha over the ski jumps reminded me about this project – some historical photos from Chester Bowl.

(more…)

How did you spend yours? What was the best part of your day?

According to the Duluth News Tribune, and pretty much every other website I’ve seen, it’s gonna be a cold one this winter. My question is… How do I get out and enjoy it without spending any cash? I’ve thought about buying snowshoes or ice skates, but even a good pair of those would set me back. Does anybody know of any nooks or crannies in this area that would make for some enjoyable winter exploring?

Discussion is getting underway today about setting up a bike share system here in the Twin Ports, modeled after the Nice Ride MN nonprofit in the Cities. In case you missed it, check out this article in the DNT.

The basic idea behind the Nice Ride system is to provide affordable access to bicycles for short trips inside the city, as an alternative to taking the bus or driving a car. (more…)

A few weeks ago I posted a general guide to photographic locations in Duluth.  It was well received so I wanted to write another similar guide. This guide is all about the Duluth skyline. There are maps and directions to seven different places to get a great look at Duluth. Some places may be familiar, others may not.  Even if you don’t go to take pictures, these seven spots are amazing for their scenic vistas. With fall in peak color now is the perfect time to get out.  Check them out here.

Video by Jake Strassman, one of the guys behind … (more…)

Hey everyone, I don’t have a fancy flyer to post tonight, but we’re getting together at the Co-op tomorrow at 5 for a ride. Usually we take off at 6, but we’re gonna shoot for a little earlier departure to get more daylight. So get out the bike, it’s supposed to be super nice, and soon it will be winter and you will be wishing you had gone on that last ride in October…

Below are real-time snapshots from local Duluth web cams. If you know of any other area web cams please post link in the comments below and we will look to add those to our Duluth MN web cams page. Click thumbnails for larger view.

The fall colors season is upon us. Be sure to get out and check out your favorite places around area to enjoy the changing of the season colors. It has been reported that it will be a great year and I have already noticed some pretty vivid changes taking place.

I also recommend you snap a photo or two of some fall colors when you are out and about and post them here on PDD.

Skyline Parkway

Stop by the Perfect Duluth Day tent at Fallfest at Chester Bowl today and pick up a free sticker, 50 cent pop, candles, and other goodies. We’re the first booth on the right as you enter the park, conveniently located next to the biffies.
Saturday, 10-4

If you’re allergic to pretty underwater light on rocks, self-indulgent swim videos featuring the bottom of Lake Superior, or lots of footage of my neck, then do NOT watch this.