Outdoors
Lake Recreation
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkIo2pDLx-g
Traveling nature camps in Duluth/Superior
Here’s a chance to get 10-13 year olds out of the house this summer. Send them to Urban Wilderness Camp to explore the public forests and creeks of Duluth and Superior. Sign up for the location closest to you for drop off and pick up. This year, camps will be at Lester Park, Lower Chester Park, Fairmont Park and Billings Park. Find more information and register at hartleynature.org, or call 218-365-6537. Warning: kids may come home wet and dirty.
New outdoors website launches in Duluth
The goal of Duluth Outdoors is to be an online network for the outdoors community in the Arrowhead region of Lake Superior. Our indexed information is meant to provide visitors with recreational opportunities. Duluth is known for its outdoor recreation and now visitors and local outdoor enthusiasts can access those opportunities through one inclusive site.
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Advice along the way
We are hedging our bets that fuel will be down to under $3.00 a gallon come July, making a summer vacation affordable. All kidding aside, we are heading to Calgary for the big rodeo. We’ve got 3 weeks for the trip out and back. Could I get some advice from those of you who have been out that way?
(1) Thoughts on the route?
(2) Suggestions for campgrounds?
(3) Significant points of interest?
We’re pulling a tent-camper and do not need hookups. We can get by with primitive camp sites. Along with my wife, our two kids [6 and 8] will be making the trip.
Duluth trails are now open
The city Parks and Recreation Dept. has determined trails are now dry enough for public use. Let the hiking and leashed dog walking commence.
Minnesota Northern Lights
I was fortunate enough to be up the North Shore Monday night near Grand Marais and caught an awesome Aurora Borealis Storm that was, dare I say, a Perfect Grand Marais Night. This art showing by Mother Nature was one that I would have thought I’d have to travel to northern Norway to witness. I have seen the Northern lights many times in the past, but this was pretty amazing, there were many moments over the course of 3 hours I had to duck as I thought they were gonna hit me. I probably should have been wearing a tin foil hat.
Time-lapse video of Superior’s North Shore
This is a pretty cool compilation of time-lapse videos taken over the past few weeks along the North Shore. Definitely an early spring on the shore. I’m still trying to figure out what that lightning flash thing is at 1:07 during the Aurora activity, some kinda gamma ray flash or something. Pretty sweet.
The Boundary Waters
Two videos by Alex Horner — shot Sept. 24, 2010 — with music by Duluth’s Steve Horner. (more…)
First Tick of the Year — 2012 Edition
I haven’t seen any ticks yet, but this popped up on my Facebook wall:
Tour Duluth: One tired guy’s report
Did anyone else participate in Tour Duluth this weekend? Saturday was the last glorious day of the cross country ski season in Duluth, and the timing was excellent for the annual event sponsored by the Duluth Cross Country Ski Club.
Not to toot my own horn, but…here’s my little brag piece.
Mellow Iceberg Rides
The scene down at the lake these days.
A Floating Rock in Lake Superior
I wish I’d gotten more footage for an even better view of this typically quirky Duluth sight. But I had to wade in to get this and I froze my ass off doing it, so this is what you get.
Super Frozen – Lake Superior Surf Short
Lake Superior surfing video shot on Jan. 13, set to the song “Cry, Cry, Crow” by the Pines.
Boreal Bicycle Works
Last week I was tooling around town on my bicycle when I stumbled upon this business. I have never heard any of my cycling friends mention this shop. It opened in 2001, but when did it close? Heck, it might even still be open. There are some Christmas lights on in the window.
Do people have stories/history about this business?
UMD Outdoor Gear Swap
The UMD Outdoor Educators Club’s 14th annual Outdoor Gear Swap/Fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, March 3. Bring your outdoor gear to sell during the drop off times, and/or come to the sale and take advantage of some great deals! Gear to help people enjoy the outdoors will be sold by students, community members and local businesses. 15% of the sale price is taken to promote outdoor education. It’s like a big garage sale for outdoor gear.
All in the Sports and Health Center. Link to a map. Park only in legal spots. Look for signs.
Gear drop-off times:
Friday, March 2, 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 3, 8 to 9 a.m.
Sale (Open to everyone):
Saturday, March 3, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Meet: Sports and Health Center Room 135
Duluth cross-country ski trails open
Here’s the much anticipated news release from the city:
Parks and Recreation has announced four of the six cross-country ski trails are groomed and ready for skiing.
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Canoe from Jasper to Churchill
Three guys are looking for an experienced paddler to go on a 1,700-mile, 85-day canoe trip from the foot of the Rockies, in Alberta, to Churchill, Manitoba, in mid-May to mid-August. If you’re interested, contact Adam Maxwell at adammaxwell601 @ aol.com or Ryan Ritter at ritt0219 @ d.umn.edu.
It’s snowing!!!
I’m hoping by the end of the week there will be an abundance of snow in Duluth. This weekend I’m going to head north and do some snowshoeing. But I would also like to get out on a weeknight after work — can anyone tell me where there are snowshoe trails that are lit up at night? Does Lester Park have snowshoe trails or are they all ski trails? Any web sites or maps to tell which trails are which? Thanks!
Marooned in Pack Ice Off Deception Island
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v78f79YdXh0
Have you been to Brule?
Now that I’ve had three great ski trips there myself, I can spread the word to other snow-hungry Duluthians: there is fantastic cross country skiing in Brule. Good old Lake Superior lake-effect snows cranked up again last week; while Duluthians were shivering in the windchill, four inches of the fresh stuff was falling on the Afterhours Trail in Brule. It’s lovely down there.
Head to my blog for more pics and a description of my new favorite ski trail.
The Singing Sands of Julian Bay
Duluth’s Bob and Peggy Hom check out the “singing sands” at Julian Bay on Stockton Island in this In Wisconsin segment from 2008.
Big Water Bike – Two Duluth adventurers to circumnavigate the Great Lakes by bicycle
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.
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From I&I to Feelin’ Irie in Just 12 Easy Steps
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.