Outdoors
Minnesota Deer Hunting Opener 1907
Good luck this weekend, nimrods!
Seagulls
I’m just wondering if anyone else has noticed that there are no seagulls on the seagull island that is visible from the “high bridge.” There have been hundreds of them bobbing on the lake as well as along the pier of the high bridge.
Did someone do something to their nesting area? Just curious.
Duluth Lakewalk extension open
The newest Lakewalk section — between 47th and 60th avenues east — is open. Any reviews?
3rd Annual Chester Bowl Wine/Beer/Pizza Tasting & Silent Auction
The 3rd Annual Chester Bowl Wine & Beer Tasting and Silent Auction will be held Saturday, Nov. 6 from 6pm to 9pm at the Midi Restaurant in Fitger’s Brewery Complex.
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Team CXC Superfit at Skihut
Thinking about doing the Birkie – or any other Nordic races this winter? Or do you simply want to make your XC skiing a bit easier? Team CXC Vertical Limit will be at Skihut this weekend kickin’ the k-nowledge.
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Partridge and life as we know it
Right on time, the partridge are back in my crab apple tree. They have been here ever since I moved in. They move to my feeder come winter (I put out cracked corn for them) and beat a path through the snow (I can see their little heads poking up above their snow-bank path as they come, which gets taller as winter progresses). I love it that some things never change.
One day, years ago, I went out to my rental cabin to clean and noticed white poop everywhere. I mean everywhere! (I didn’t go out to clean for days in between rentals.) I looked around and saw a little window broken out, (actually in). So I looked closer, and saw a partridge sitting on the sofa. We blinked at each other. He let me pick him up, and set him free outside. Me and his prodigy have been friends ever since.
Remember the glory days of smelting?
They weren’t that great (I had to clean them as a kid!). I used to think the smelts were planted in Lake Superior as a food for the fishery, not so.
The St. Louis River Trail
A few weeks ago I was in Chambers Grove Park in far western Duluth when I saw a sign in the corner of the park for the St. Louis River Trail. A few days ago my wife and I returned to investigate it. After hiking a portion of the “trail” it seems that it is not maintained and I can’t find any information about it on the internet.
Anyone out there know about it? Is it even an official trail or did some guy just put the sign up? Is it merely in the planning stages? Whose property does the trail lie on? Minnesota Power’s? All I can say is that the walking was pleasant. Most of the “trail” followed an old rail line and there were many utility poles that had been cut down along the corridor. There is also the remains of an old railroad trestle at the point where we turned around.
If anyone has any more information about the St. Louis River Trail, it would be appreciated by this hiking enthusiast. I put a more detailed trip report up here:
The Continuing Adventures of Eric and Noelle
The St. Louis River Trail
Minnesota Grouse Hunting
Has anyone been out early-season grouse hunting? I’m curious how people have been doing. I have seen decent numbers around Duluth and up the shore.
Grouse Hunting
Fall Canoeing!
The sun is setting on this canoe season. Get you last fix in at Hartley Nature Center. This Saturday, September 25, from 10 am- 1:30 p.m., rent a canoe at the nature center and paddle around Hartley Pond!
Franconia Sculpture Park Art and Artists Celebration 2010
art and artists fest
14th Annual Franconia Sculpture Park Art and Artists Celebration
Saturday · September 25th · 10:00am to 9:00pm · Rain or Shine
. . . is a day-long festival celebrating the artists, the new sculpture installations, and our amazing community. A full day’s entertainment with artist-led tours, live music, dance, poetry, kids’ activities, and great food.
This year’s Franconia Fellowship and Intern Artists will be exhibiting their new sculpture installations – some interactive, some climbable, most simply amazing. There will be artist-led tours of the exhibition for those who like to get the inside scoop on the artists and their work.
Wednesday night at Hartley Nature Center
Adult Night Out at Hartley Nature Center:
This week, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.- Fabulous Ferns! Learn to identify our areas “top ten” most common ferns and which work well in home gardens. Speakers include Carol Andrews, President of the Arrowhead Chapter of Wild Ones, and Clayton Oslund, author of What’s Doin’ the Bloomin’?
Free for Wild Ones and Hartley members, $4 donation for non-members
Minnesota North Shore Fall Colors Report 2010
Typical MN Fall Color Peaks
The Duluth/Minnesota North Shore fall colors are expected to be great this year! Typically the peak happens sooner if you go inland from the shore. The colors right on or near the shores of Lake Superior tend to peak a little bit later.
See the the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website for more info.
Friends of the Boundary Waters Seeks Submissions
The Boundary Waters has a long literary tradition. From the works of Sigurd Olson to Paul Gruchow to Helen Hoover, many writers have tried to capture the adventure, solitude and beauty of canoe country.
Now, it’s your turn. (more…)
Leaf it up to Wisconsin
Is anyone else as excited about fall colors as I am? Probably. So for those headed toward Wisconsin in pursuit of your “fall color fix” check out the Wis. Department of Tourism’s interactive fall colors report.
Winter Camping Symposium 2010
The 12th Annual Winter Camping Symposium is taking registrations. The purpose of the Winter Camping Symposium is to educate, collaborate and celebrate everything Winter! (more…)
Sled dogs for sale
My friend Megan is a musher up in Alaska and is looking to downsize her dog team. She has five trained, awesome dogs that she is trying to find good homes for. They would be great for someone wanting to mush, ski-jour or just looking for a companion. Check out her website for photos of Bess, French Fry, Chopper, Little Bear and Dylan. Megan will be back in Duluth on Sept. 12 and will bring the dogs with her if people are interested. Call her at 507-269-8110 for more details.
First Thursday Motorcycle Ride
We ride again! Bring your jacket, it’ll officially be September. Last month’s ride was great. If you missed it, you missed out. Prepare for about 60-70 miles, and maybe a beer afterward!
Duluth Parks and Recreation Master Plan
PDFs of the most recent draft:
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapters 4-5
There will be a public meeting to review the draft plan on Monday, Aug. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Offices, 12 E. Fourth St. It’s your chance to talk to consultants, city staff, and the Parks and Recreation Commission and tell them what you think.
“Habitat Here!” Festival is for the Birds …
… as well as birders and non-birders alike who enjoy Laura Erickson’s “Speaking For the Birds” program on KUMD (Laura will be speaking at the festival!). The event is an essential for gardeners or non-gardeners interested in native landscaping; and/or all your friends and neighbors!
*Wild Ones Arrowhead Chapter and Hartley Nature Center invite you to the second annual:
Habitat Here! Festival and Native Plant Sale
Sunday, Aug. 22, 10-3
Hartley Nature Center, 3001 Woodland Ave. Duluth, MN 55803
A free, open-house style festival to celebrate habitat and learn to create a haven for nature in your own yard; featuring:
- Garden Tours
- Speakers
- Native Plant Sale
- Expert Advice
- Kid’s Activities
Lightning?
3:31 am — Single flash of light and a long rolling thunder… or was it the ship coming to a stop? Keep your eye out for cover-ups.
Anyway, it just seemed strange without any other lightning that I can tell.
Nevermind, there’s the second one, and I saw it too. That’s some huge creepy lightning I tell ya. Hope Lakeside is still there in the morning. Or do I? Yeah I guess I know some people out there.
Good story.
-A