Outdoors
Ski ’em all: Tour Du Luth
Ski season is definitely not over. The Duluth Cross Country Ski Club is sponsoring its seventh annual Tour Du Luth this weekend. Come out and ski as many of the city’s ski trails as you can, and end with a potluck at Hartley Nature Center.
Explore Duluth’s own ice mountains
After a few good northeasters this winter, the ice is stacked up deep on Park Point. You can read all about and find tips and directions in my blog.
ISO Used Telemark Gear
Anyone out there with some decent telemark gear they’d like to sell me? I’m just getting into it, but am already anticipating infatuation with it. Ideally skis would be 170s or shorter, boots a ladies 8.5 or 9 (European 26?), though I do have a wider foot, too. Any leads would be much appreciated!
How to avoid faceplants
Happy Meteorological Spring! It’s time to break out your no-wax skis. Some thoughts and advice from my blog after a recent ski outing to Hartley Park.
Save the deer, shoot a dog
This ranks pretty high on my list of stunning news releases.
Minnesota DNR: Dogs chasing deer an annual problem
In summary: Between Jan. 1 and July 14, it’s legal to shoot and kill a dog that is pursuing a deer.
Holy crap.
Community Gardens and Arts in Superior (Broadway Gardens) wants you!
Are you interested in gardening? Would you like to have your own community garden plot? The Broadway Community Gardens in Superior has organic raised beds to rent on the corner of Hammond and Broadway (Just over the High Bridge from Duluth, across from the Red Mug coffee house).
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Riding the Lake Superior Waves
Here’s what they were doing Sunday off Stony Point, just south of Knife River. 50 mph wind gusts, 21 degrees.
Lake Superior Waves Video
I’m new to the area, so I was really excited to see the waves and film some this morning. To all locals: what’s the biggest waves you’ve seen?
Hockey Day Minnesota: Portman Bruins vs. Glen Avon Red Army
[This post originally featured video from nhl.com that has since been removed.]
Duluth Deer Parts
Has anyone else noticed deer parts along Seven Bridges Road? You know where they close the road in the winter, and people walk and ski and snowmobile and run dogs? Near the barrier at the bottom, and in the woods next to Smiley’s, my dog is always coming up with a spine or a leg or a hunk of pelvis. What’s up with that? Do poachers dump the parts they don’t want there? Do old deer go there to die?
Community Clean-ups for Water Quality
Imagine Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes full of clean, clear, fresh water for future generations to enjoy. Together we can make this vision a reality. The Freshwater Society, the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, and the McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League invite you to learn more about Community Clean-Ups for Water Quality, created to protect the water in our lakes and rivers. Presentation on Monday, Feb. 21 @ 7 p.m. at Hartley Nature Center.
Steelhead Fishing Class for Youth
Join the Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA) and Hartley Nature Center for a great opportunity to learn about and try steelhead fishing. This event has eight openings for youth ages 12-15 to work with LSSA mentors to learn everything from equipment to technique. Female mentors available, so female youth are encouraged to sign up! Class includes: Two classroom sessions at Hartley Nature Center (3001 Woodland Ave.) on March 12 & 19, 2011 from 10 am to noon. Two field sessions at the Knife River, April 9 & 16, 2011. Equipment (if needed) will be provided. Participants will receive a certificate of participation and recognition at the LSSA Spring Banquet, April 16.
Cost is only $25 and includes the banquet. For more information or to register contact Hartley Nature Center at 724-6735. Together, teaching and encouraging youth to get outdoors and fish!
“Elements of Exposure: Images Made on a 10,000 Mile Journey” opens Friday, Feb. 11
"In the Heart of Mount Olympus" captured in Olympic NP
Duluth nature photographer Ryan Tischer opens an exhibit of new photographs at Washington Gallery on Friday, Feb. 11 from 6-8pm. His images are a compilation of new work created over the past year on travels through twenty states, covering over 10,000 miles by car.
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Basic photography workshop with veteran local instructor Dave Kohne
Basic Photography: Taking Great Outdoor Pictures
Hosted by the Duluth Photography Institute. Registration open all — you do not need to be a member of the DPI.
Instructor: David Kohne
Saturday, Feb. 26, 10am-4:30pm (more…)
Snow Safari Winter Recess Camp
Looking for something for your child to do during Duluth public schools winter recess? Join MinnAqua, Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Lake Superior Zoo for three days of winter fun. Go ice fishing with MinnAqua, explore life at the Aquarium, and try to survive like an animal at the Zoo.
$40 for members (includes LSZoo and GLA members) and $50 for non-members
For kids in grades 3-5. Pre-registration is required! Registration deadline: February 18
More information: contact Lindsay at 218-740-2027 or lbrandt @ glaquarium.org.
XC Ski Hartley!
The XC Ski trails in Hartley Park are in top shape — which makes now a great time to get to Hartley Park and Nature Center for some cross-country skiing. Bring your own equipment or rent ours. Wednesday night, Feb. 9, from 7-8:30 pm, join members of the Duluth XC Ski Club for an evening headlamp ski on Hartley’s trails. Warm beverages will be provided in the Nature Center. Families are invited!
Alpine ski referral
Looking to change up the ski scene a bit and am wondering what’s worth a 6-8 hour drive from Duluth? Or with that limitation, should one stick with Lutsen or Giant’s Ridge?
Fishing Superior Bay
Anybody got any good tips for ice fishing on Superior Bay off Park Point? I’ve tried it a couple times this year but haven’t had any luck. I talked to a couple people out there, but most everyone is tucked inside their fishing shelters and I hate to intrude. I’m wondering: what bait are they using? How are they rigging it? How deep are they fishing? Actively jigging or just setting tip-ups? Best time of day? I’ve heard of big walleye and even sturgeon, but haven’t seen anybody pull them up. What are they catching?
Easiest ski trail in the Duluth area
In a land of steep hills and deep valleys, where can a beginning cross-country skier in Duluth go without fear of hills and spills? Check out the new trails and new parking at Boulder Lake on my blog. Now we just need Slim Goodbuzz to check out the adjacent Island Lake Inn.
UMD professor in Antartica
UMD Geological Sciences Professor John Goodge traveled to Antarctica to collect and analyze rocks to build a better picture of the continent hidden beneath the polar ice cap.
Check out the New York Times slide show Rocks, Ice and Science in Antarctica and the Scientist at Work blog to get your geek on.
1970s pop culture quiz on Piedmont ski trail
The cross-country trail at Piedmont is in great shape … but in what shape is your 1970s pop culture mastery? Know your Lip Smackers from your Mayberry RFD? Test yourself against the punny wisdom of Piedmont’s wooden signs at my North Shore blog.
Get in where you fit in.
I was out enjoying the local snowmobile trails yesterday and came across a man walking his two dogs; a man with his child and dog walking; a man, child and two dogs XC skiing (not the dogs); a woman walking; and a man riding his mountain bike.
These are all great outdoor recreational activities to enjoy and I am not mad that they are participating, I am mad that they were all on the state snowmobile trail. If I were to ride down a ski trail, or the Lakewalk, or a regular sidewalk for that matter, people would be calling the police and hopping up and down in anger. So why is it OK to break the rules the other way?
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Micha Mellang’s Favorite XC Ski Places
[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]
Duluth Snowshoe-buying Advice
I’ve become a true Minnesotan — I went snowshoeing for the first time this past weekend. We checked out Lester Park and Park Point. I enjoyed snowshoeing so much I’ve decided to buy a pair with some gift money my generous in-laws gave me. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy snowshoes in Duluth? Any recommendations regarding brands also?