Outdoors

How are you liking the Lakewalk extension?

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I didn’t get around to checking it out until yesterday, but I must say the new Lakewalk extension to 47th Avenue East is fantastic. Call it reason #1,327 to love Duluth.

My only complaint: What’s the deal with the annoying chain-link fence that runs the entire stretch? I suppose it’s to prevent toddlers from crawling in front of a train, but can’t we sacrifice a few kids for the sake of aesthetics?

Silver Creek Cliff (less than an hour from Duluth)

Paul Lundgren kind of stole my thunder on this with his excellent photo-essay on the North Shore earlier this week, but I was out in the same neighborhood for a work project last week myself. Truly I was in a big hurry and swamped with about a dozen things, but I just couldn’t help but stop for half an hour and snap some photos on the way back. It was the same day as the big Vikings-Packers game and I thought if they turned out it might make a good PDD post/tip for armchair quarterbacks on a great (brief) weekend road trip, but … that didn’t happen and now we may be past peak colors up in those woods. Still its a great drive anytime of year. And it’s fun going through the tunnel, too. (more…)

Fall colors on Lake Superior’s North Shore: Silver Bay and Beaver Bay area

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Someone left this for me to find on the footbridge across Penn Creek. Kudos to the artist. (more…)

Bike racks anyone?

I sent an e-mail to the Duluth Transit Authority last year questioning why it takes bike racks off before winter — seeing how in cities with somewhat similar weather (e.g. Minneapolis, Portland) leave them on year ’round and are rated some of the best cycler-friendly cities nationwide.

This morning I did the same, but with results:

I have forwarded this on for a response.
I do believe we have decided this year not to remove them.
I will supply a response when I get it.
Thank you for your inquiry.

Aleda M. Johnson
Director of Information Technology
Duluth Transit Authority

—–

Good news for cyclists, hope to see you all on the roads/trails this winter!

Moose on the Loose at Deer River High

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From WCCO:

“Students at Deer River High School got a surprise nature lesson without leaving the classroom after spotting a moose wandering around the school’s bus garage.”

Photo gallery here.

Deer River is about 100 miles northwest of Duluth.

Morley Park Fall Fundraising Festival

This Saturday is the Fall Fundraising Festival for Morley Heights Park. Join us from 10am to 2pm for a free fun outdoor party in the park and help us raise the money to erect a new playground for our neighborhood. Enjoy live music by Rachel Kilgour and the Duluth Suzuki Violin students, food, and free games and activities for the whole family!

Directions to Morley Park: From Snively Road, turn northwest onto Morley Parkway and follow up the hill to the park.

For more information on our efforts, visit our blog at https://morleyheights.blogspot.com/ or find us on Facebook. Hope to see you there!

Fall Colors – Trestle Inn – On the Road with Jason Davis

Good “On the Road” segment that aired a few weeks ago on KSTP 5 Twin Cites. It was nice to see my friends at the Trestle Inn get some free advertising. I was up there on Grouse opener to have lunch and a couple drinks and was talking to the owners and they have got a lot calls since the airing with people asking, “Where are you? I put you into our GPS and it can’t find you.” Sue says, “OK first turn off the GPS and I will tell you how to get here.” They insist, “But my GPS can’t find you. What is the problem?” She politely says again, “OK if you want me to help you find us just turn off your GPS and I will tell you how to get here.”  https://www.trestleinn.com

Minnesota North Shore Fall Colors Report 2009

This year’s fall colors are a bit behind due to warmer than normal weather, but should start to peak in the next few weeks. 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 Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Finder for more info.

The Glensheen Luxury Experience

GlensheenPoster

New poster and ink. Great. Press.

Everything you need to know…

(more…)

Old Cemetery

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One of the oldest and prettiest cemeteries in the area is also one of the most obscure. This one is on Cemetery Road off County Road Z, near County Road A, just south of Superior.

The Glensheen Luxury Experience

Northland Brainchild Concert Series: Pt. 2

*The Glensheen Luxury Experience*
Friday, Sept. 25 (when the leaves are changing)
@ Glensheen Mansion, Duluth

Featuring:
*Haunted House
*Moonstone
*The Unit Breed (Portland)
*Brothers Band (Duluth)
*Bat Breath
*Obchod Na Korze
bbreath+obchod=splitset

(more…)

The Ones That Got Away

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This little snake managed to make the swim across Bent Trout Lake in Barnum without getting snatched into our boat. Roger had one lunge at it before it found refuge in the weeds.

A conversation that occurred about two hours later, when we saw a circle of small waves nearby on an otherwise calm lake:

Roger: What the hell is that over there?
Paul: Holy crap. Is that a whole school of fish?
Roger: I’ve never seen anything like it. Something’s going on over there.
Paul: Troll over! That’s gotta be fish or beaver or something.
Voice from the shore: Those aren’t fish! Those are scuba divers!
Paul: OK. Well, I guess we’re idiots then.
Roger: Yep. Pretty much.

Duluth Pack – Backpacker Magazine “Get Out More” Event

Backpacker Magazine Get Out More

Backpacker Magazine Get Out More

Sept. 9 | 6-8 p.m.Backpacker Magazine visits the Duluth Pack retail store in Duluth as a part of its “Get Out More” events.  Free outdoor gear give-a-ways, slideshow and more. getoutmore2009.com | duluthpack.com

Duluth Pack is one of about 50 places Backpacker Magazine will visit in the USA.

Nature Identification Quiz

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Is that a hawk, a turkey vulture or a twig?

(Shot today in Duluth, along the western hillside.)

Camping Gear for Rent in Duluth

I am looking for a business that rents camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, camp stoves, etc.). We are planning a short weekend camping trip and aren’t quite ready to go all out and purchase everything. Is there anywhere in Duluth or Superior that offers this kind of service? Also, is there anywhere that rents small fishing boats?

Ah, September

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I’d like to welcome the best month in Duluth.

It’s a twister ma!

A tornado touched down a few times in Minneapolis. The Electric Fetus was hit.

We saw it coming from our work windows and headed to the basement. It touched down about five blocks from my theater.

Ride the Rubber Chicken Charter to Applefest this October!

 

RubberChickenTheater

On Saturday, October 3, make it a beautiful fall day of crunchy apples and corny jokes as KUWS Radio and Rubber Chicken Theater invite you to ride in style to Applefest in Bayfield aboard the Rubber Chicken Charter.

The Rubber Chicken Charter will leave from Wessman Arena on the campus of UWS at 11:00am, and gets back to Superior at 10:30pm. There will be plenty of time in beautiful Bayfield to enjoy the sights and sounds of Applefest, then, at 5:00pm, you will be in the audience for the LIVE broadcast of The Rubber Chicken Radio Hour. The show will be performed smack dab in the middle of Applefest, right on the main stage. The show will feature local musicians from Big Top Chautauqua, a Brett Favre apple sketch or two, and other fun surprises.

Cost to ride the Rubber Chicken Charter is just $20. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today by contacting Kim Gustafson at KUWS Radio ([email protected], 715-394-8530). Credit cards are accepted.

Farmers Market at UMD: Wednesday

Farmers Market at UMD
Every Wednesday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
UMD Kirby Plaza Bus Hub
LOCAL Produce, Music and Artisans!

Contact:
Leah Nelson
nels5131 @ d.umn.edu
218-940-2138
Ride the Bus or Park for FREE in Lot E! (more…)

This PDD brought to you by the brothers Ring

mouth

My boys are fascinated with this discovery they made last night at Brighton Beach.  Our bedtime talk was filled with the possibilities of the other worlds that just might lie at the other end of a tunnel. 

way too exciting

Do you have a favorite culvert in Duluth?  I think we have more exploring to do.

Peaceful Waves

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=volb2g0CbgY

Peaceful Waves off of Wisconsin Point

Earthwood Stock

On August 29th, there will be a free, one-day music festival at the Earthwood Inn on Hwy 61, 1 mile S of Two Harbors. The festival starts at noon, goes until 1 am and includes an open jam from noon-3 pm and six bands starting at 3 pm. The lineup is as follows:

MacInnes Kitchen – Irish Music   3 pm
Black Bear Combo – Balkan Mountain Music  4:30pm
Triple J – Blues Trio  6pm
Uprising – Reggae  7:45pm
Blues Alligations – Blues/Rock  9:30pm
Stubborn Country – Country 11:15

Food (Burgers, Brats and Jerk Chicken) and Beverages (Alcoholic and Non) will be served at this outdoor festival, under the big tent at the Earthwood Inn. This is also the official Slivovitz Festival for 2009. For information, call 218-834-3847. Paul Belsito, proprietor.

One more reason why I love Duluth, or the berries are ripe!

Saturday evening, a fabulous time to head over to Brighton Beach. A few other families thought so as well. We get out of the car and basically have to navigate our way over a few raspberry bushes to get to the beach. This being Duluth, they were still full of berries. They are no longer, so no need to consult there in your berry quest.

berry picking

Truth in Advertising

This behemoth was about 30 feet long and aptly named.

Starving Artist Barter??

Dear Duluthians,
You might have seen some of my art at Bohemia Arts, and if not, please do come see it, because if you like it: I am hoping to trade existing paintings, commissions, and/or mural work for a) a decent bike b) a canoe in working order c) a kayak that floats and/or d) misc hauling equipment and useful accessories for said objects. Or other awesome stuff to trade for might be considered too…

Thank you kindly,
maria sippola
fox wife