Outdoors
Cross City Trail in Duluth — Connecting the Munger Trail and Lakewalk at last
The links below are to PDF files of maps showing proposed routes for the Cross City Trail, connecting the Willard Munger State Trail with the Duluth Lakewalk.
Page 1 – 75th Avenue West to 66th Avenue West area
Page 2 – 66th Avenue West to Central Avenue area
Page 3 – Central Avenue to Ramsey Street area
Page 4 – Ramsey Street to 40th Avenue West area
Page 5 – 40th Avenue West to 29th Avenue West area
Page 6 – 29th Avenue West to 18th Avenue West area
Page 7 – 18th Avenue West to Mesaba Avenue area
Page 8 – Mesaba Avenue to the Lakewalk area
Ski Jumping at Chester Bowl Sunday
OK, so nobody’s going off Big Chester, but there will be a basics of ski jumping demonstration Sunday at Chester Bowl.
I believe anybody can try – registration at 11:30, bring your own alpine skis and helmet. Jumping from 12:30 – 2:30
Help Duluth YMCA Camp Miller get 50k grant from Pepsi Refresh Project.
The local Duluth Area Family YMCA is in the running for a grant offered by Pepsi in their “Pepsi Refresh Project” (Learn more here) to build a high ropes course at Camp Miller. They are current ranked #2 and need your help by voting for them. It is easy, click, signup and vote. Vote now here — >: https://www.refresheverything.com/YMCACampMiller
Ski Jumping at Chester Bowl
You know you’ve always wanted to see somebody go off those jumps at Chester Bowl, now you can.
Just in time for the Olympics, learn about Duluth’s world-class ski jumping history, and support both Chester Bowl and WDSE public television at the same time. Come take in a movie and hear some stories from Chester’s ski jumping legends. Kid-friendly early and late showings, conveniently overlapping the Paul Lundgren Happy Hour right upstairs.
The Ski Flyers: a Jumping Tradition, including additional archival footage of ski jumpers
Wed Feb 10, 5:30 and 7:00 pm Zinema2
Tickets: $3 for 5:30 show, $5 for 7:00 show. Seating is limited; advance tickets and more info are available at this link. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.
Excited for Beargrease 2010?
Don’t forget to watch one of the Northland’s most amazing tributes to our cultural heritage (in my opinion, at least): The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon! (more…)
Moon Over Old Central
Not that my photo (from Tuesday) is special at all, but the moon has been kind of impressive this week, hasn’t it? Must be how clear the skies have been. Full moon action is tomorrow. Get your werewolf on.
The Cold War
CBS News’ Bill Geist travels to Embarrass, Minnesota. (more…)
Skijoring the Munger Trail
Last winter I must have went jogging on the Munger Trail 70 times and never once saw anyone skijoring.
Today I went jogging on the Munger Trail for the first time this winter and saw two different people skijoring.
Was it a coincidence that I saw two today and none before, or does it mean something — like the activity is growing in popularity or maybe there’s an event people are preparing for?
Perfect Temps: A Seasonal Perspective.
Spring-55 degrees
Summer-77 degrees
Fall-68 degrees
Winter-18 degrees
Wookiefoot | Lutsen Snowball 2010 | 3 days of Bliss
Wookiefoot – Trampled by Turtles
Heatbox – God Johnson – The Histronic
Pert Near Sandstone – The Limns – Jon Wayne
I have went up to the Snowball Fest for the past 3 years. It is a great time. Snowboard during the day and jam at night!
More info: Snowball 2010 | Wookiefoot | Lutsen Snowball info
Opinions on winter clothing
Thought I’d check here to see if anyone has any suggestions.
I’m looking to replace my ‘ol generic JCP winter coat with a “high quality” brand. Had been looking at Canada Goose but I’d like to stay away from down filled coats because of the cleaning issue. Anyone got anything they’ve found that really does the job with warmth along with a water repellant and/or water proof exterior? I realize warmth is relative but shoot some suggestions. Thanks.
Boxing Day 2009 Sledding Conditions: Horrible!
Today’s report is from Lincoln Park. It was well packed down yesterday, and frozen rock-hard today. So, the speed on the way down is totally out of control, and the ride is full of solid bumps that threaten to permanently damage one’s sphincter ani externus muscle. (more…)
Snow!
| I need a new snow shovel. I am much too cheap to purchase a snow blower, but the broken plastic shovel I’ve used for the past couple years is finally toast. My wife came home with a fancy ergonomic one from Sears, but I’m not crazy about the plastic. Is there a place around town to get a nice steel shovel? What’s the best option? I read that a combination of a grain scoop (for deep, powdery snow) and a regular snow shovel is the way to go. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |  |
Coal Train (Soultrane?)
Parked (?) train blocks view of Lake Superior from https://duluthdailyphoto.vox.com/
I thought this was intended as a temporary winter seawall.
But Duluth Daily photo (above) and later the Duluth News Tribune had some good coverage of this that straightened me out, apparently these coal cars are just being stored on those tracks, even though they do sit in a storm prone spot. Now, DNT’s Brandon Stahl writes that the train will be moved to Leif Ericson Park. (more…)
Sledding Spots In Duluth
Can anyone recommend a good spot to take the kids?
Your AM snowstorm road report
I just drove from the West End to the East Hillside. Here’s what I observed/experienced:
- Visibility is very poor. This has improved quite a bit since I first set out, since the sun has come up. Mainly your enemies today are wind and blowing snow.
- I-35 is quite clear, but slow going. I had to completely stop twice. I think the top speed was about 45, though it might have reached 50 for a moment.
- Mesaba is a traffic jam. No surprise.
- Second Street has a lot of snow on it. Also people are having difficulty finding their lane. There are three lanes on Second Street, and even in the best conditions it is wise to choose one. Thankfully, no one is doing that thing where you blow through the lights just as they change green. That would be stupid on a day like today.
- Fourth Street is worse than Second Street.
- The avenues are slippery and difficult to negotiate. As you’re spinning your wheels up them or sliding down them sideways, please take a moment to realize that this is why your house with an incredible view is affordable.
- No matter how bad it gets, there’s always someone who is in a big effing hurry and thinks that tailgating will help. You will encounter that person today. Please try not to be that person today.
Please post your experiences and the road conditions for your part of the region in the comments. If you are somewhere that’s warm and doesn’t get snow, and feel the need to point that out in the comments, please realize that the rest of us are rolling our eyes and making the “jerk-off” gesture with our dominant hands
Ledges Section of Lakewalk
I just learned this section of the Lakewalk is open. Does anyone know when it opened, or the story about volunteers working on it to meet a deadline? The Private Property signs are on 23rd Avenue East. The other signs are at the beginning of this section of the Lakewalk, at the end of 23rd. How about a sign that reads “Public Welcome”? (more…)
Bridge Repair in Duluth: Must be some federal stimulous money involved
Since I wrote a post last summer about rickety old bridges, I thought it was only fair to note that some new boards showed up recently on this little creek overpass in West Duluth. I’m not sure if the city is responsible or some industrious snowmobiler took things upon himself. Either way, I appreciate it.
2nd Annual Open Studio
Duluth nature photographer Ryan Tischer is hosting his 2nd Annual Open Studio on Dec. 4,5,6 (Fri, Sat, Sun) from 10 am – 5 pm at Washington Studios Artist Co-op. 315 N. Lake Ave. – Studio # 403
Free drinks and appetizers are available for those who attend. He is featuring a scratch and ding sale, which means great deals on almost perfect art (up to 80% off). All other artwork is at least 15% off…this deal is only available if you attend the Open Studio.
Visit www.ryantischerphoto.com for more info.
Skiing at Chester Bowl
The ski lottery was held a few weeks ago at Chester Bowl, but there are still some ski rental packages available. The Chester Bowl Improvement Club provides inexpensive season ski packages, including skis, poles, boots, helmets, and season ski passes, for those that want to take part in skiing, lessons or other activities at Chester Bowl. You also get a day pass to Spirit Mt. and Mont du Lac. Many parents call the Chester Bowl Ski Program the best deal in town, but for those unable to afford the already low prices, scholarships are available.
Check out the Chester Bowl website for more info.
UMD Fall Sustainability Fair: Nov. 4
UMD Fall Sustainability Fair
When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 10-3
Where: UMD Kirby Student Center
What: Sustainability is the balance achieved when a society is able to provide for its own needs without compromising the needs of future generations. The bi-annual UMD Sustainability Fair has been established to highlight the progress of sustainability efforts within our community. The Fall 2009 Sustainability Fair will feature panel discussions and presentations focusing on the issue of food, in conjunction with the Superior Grown Food Summit which will be held at UMD on Saturday, Nov. 14. However, sustainability encompasses multiple, overlapping issues, including: education, energy, natural resources, government, economy, health, transportation and social justice. Public and private groups representing these facets will be present to showcase their progress.