Outdoors
Diving the Breakwater Wall Ruins, 9/6/14
Duluth’s outer harbor, between the Vietnam Memorial and the red buoy, hides the submerged ruins of a hundred-plus-year-old wall (essentially stacked wooden cribbing filled with rocks) that predates the lift bridge and the canal. This is what they used to park ships behind for safe harbor — before its destruction in a gale. Been waiting to return here since last summer, finally got my window. Tried early in the day but the water was too cold. So I spent the day on Park Point beach, then hit it on my way back — water had warmed several degrees. Sun was going down so I had to act quickly. Similar imagery may be seen in my video of last year, “Freediving the Ruins of Duluth’s Outer Harbor.”
This current video represents going farther from shore (maybe halfway to the buoy?), and deeper than before (up to 15 feet or so as opposed to ~10). Next year maybe I will dive the buoy chain to the bottom (30 feet). It would have been nice to do this series of dives when I was fresher earlier in the day with more direct overhead sunlight (the water was clearer too), but it was simply too cold. By the time I got to it, I had walked several miles, was hungry, and had been given a beer and a couple slugs of wine (don’t ask). So I wasn’t as hardcore as I wanted to be — had to swim out far, then deep too, without benefit of a raft or anything, so I was pooped and not willing to risk any further depth. Next time!
Diving Among the Boulders and What I Found There
A series of dives one afternoon exploring a field of boulders.
Bike Duluth Festival 2014 Video
Video by Dudley Edmondson from the Bike Duluth Festival.
St. Louis River video at Jay Cooke State Park
Video by Douglas Feltman; music by Dexter Britain.
Rollin’ 218
Been sitting on this waiting for summer to peak for its release, but that never happened obvs.
Corkscrew Dive
Corkscrewed down 20 feet underwater to do a barrel roll over a field of boulders I like to explore, then spiraled back topside. Not a long dive (around 30 secs at normal speed), just a fun one with a glimpse of one of Lake Superior’s Atlantean grottos. Pretty sure the bubble that pops out @ 43 secs came out of my right ear as I pinched my nose and equalized the pressure in my skull. Water clarity perfect on this Sunday morning dive in MY church.
Shore-fishing suggestions around Duluth
I got great feedback on my barber inquiry, so now on to my next priority. I love to fish with my family, but don’t have a boat at this time. We will be purchasing one in the future. In the interim, can anyone suggest good shore, dam or pier fishing in the area? I have fished the Two Harbors Breakwall, as well as McQuade in the past, with hit and miss results.
I fish all species, so that is not a big concern. I do like to eat some of what I catch, so water with minimal consumption issues is preferred, but I will catch-and-release fish, too.
I don’t want anyone’s secret spot, just some general ideas and locations. If anyone does want to share more detail, I would be happy to provide an e-mail so you don’t have to post it on a forum. Thanks!
Goodbye Big Chester
The city of Duluth has determined that the ski jumps at Chester Bowl will be coming down due to safety concerns. A public meeting will be held July 31.
Heat Warning: Please do not leave your dogs in your car!
Yes, even though it’s Duluth, summer is way too hot to leave your dog inside a car, windows cracked or not! Yesterday, I encountered a women at Home Depot who was a few minutes from having her windows smashed to rescue her dog.
Even if you don’t have dogs (or are a responsible owner and already know that you shouldn’t leave your dog in the car), please be aware of other cars in parking lots. If you see a dog in distress, you can call the police/animal control, or contact the store to have the vehicle owner paged. Please do not assume the owner will be out in time – death can occur within minutes!
And true, the thoughtful dog owner may thank you for your concern for their animal by denying the danger of hot cars and flicking you off, but at least you may have helped the save the dog’s life by getting their ungrateful asshole owner called out of the store. 🙂
Formation of River Corridor Coalition
“It is our mission to generate and facilitate conversation to monitor and advance positive development of the St. Louis River corridor communities with the overall goal of benefiting the city of Duluth as a whole.”
The genesis of this group was to bundle the active Community Clubs in the western Duluth neighborhoods, and give them an active voice in the mayor’s vision for enhancing the St. Louis River Corridor. If you have an idea for enhancements for the neighborhoods come on out — RCC is still forming subcommittees so people are able to work on neighborhood issues they are passionate about, and have an active voice. The group has been meeting since February and meets every third Wednesday of the month — social time is at 6 p.m. with official business beginning at 6:30.
We feel that it is important that the ideas about the development of the Saint Louis River Corridor come from community members themselves. This coalition has members whose residency in the area ranges from just a year to over 30 years. Each neighborhood has representation, either from currently functioning community clubs, or citizens living in a neighborhood — from Lincoln Park to Fond du Lac. We have business interests represented and other area leaders. It is clear within this group that our members have a strong passion for this area and a commitment to improve it. All are welcome to attend and participate.
Like us on the River Corridor Coalition Facebook page to keep up to date.
Alaska Brooks Falls – Bear and Salmon Cam
Great nature cam setup in Katmai National Park in Alaska to watch Brown bear feed themselves on Sockeye Salmon. More than a hundred Brown Bears stalk a mile stretch of the Brooks River to snack on the world’s largest Sockeye Salmon run.
Hiring: Chester Bowl Program / Operations Manager
The Chester Bowl Improvement Club is seeking a full-time Program/Operations Manager, responsible for management, planning and operational oversight for CBIC programming and park operations under the direction of the Executive Director and Board of Directors, Specifically, the Program/Operations Manager will manage and provide oversight of CBIC’s programming and events, including supervising seasonal hourly staff, Incredible Exchange youth, and volunteers. Full posting and job description is at chesterbowl.org.
Rafting on the St. Louis River
Peter Tollefson and friends take a day trip on the St. Louis River, just south of Duluth.
Justin Berke’s Year in Duluth
Justin Berke recently celebrated his one-year anniversary of living in Duluth by creating an infographic website at ayearinduluth.tk.
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Big ol’ snapping turtle on Duluth’s Western Waterfront Trail
Here’s an opportunity for someone who knows a lot about turtles to show off and tell us all what specific kind of snapping turtle we are looking at here. It was spotted around 2:30 p.m. today lolling around by that nice little swampy nook just west of Indian Point Campground.
North Shore Drive-up Scenery
I am UMD student and an avid outdoor enthusiast. I love hiking, camping, climbing to hard-to-reach places to get some amazing views, etc. My family wants to come visit me here in Duluth, and wants to see some of my favorite nature spots, however, my family is a bit old and my favorite spots all require an hour-long hike and 500-foot climb, of which most of my family is incapable of doing. So I am wondering if anybody knows of any amazing scenery spots along the North Shore that do not require any strenuous activity to get to, and what I like to call drive-up scenery.
So far I have come up with areas such as Palisade Head, Gooseberry (of course) and Split Rock Nature Area. I am looking to find hiking trails and secluded beaches. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Additional Things I Hated About the X-Men Films
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xID8A6xs-ew
In which I continue my brutal takedown of the X-Men movies while dressed as Aquaman. SPOILER ALERT.
Lake Superior Aquaman trashes the X-Men films
Spoiler alert.
Poseidon of Lester River
- Water-bug shadow crosses the figure @ :34
- Minnow attack @ :43
- Minnow head-butts a baby crayfish two times @ 1:05
- Crayfish says aw screw it @ 1:26
Boundary Waters 2014
Video by David Cowardin from Duluth Outdoors.