Outdoors Posts

Your AM snowstorm road report

Dec 09, 2009 32 Comments

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


Outdoors

Ledges Section of Lakewalk

Dec 07, 2009 7 Comments

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”?

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Outdoors, Recommendations

Bridge Repair in Duluth: Must be some federal stimulous money involved

Dec 04, 2009 1 Comment

BridgeRepair2

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.


Outdoors

2nd Annual Open Studio

Dec 02, 2009 No Comments

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.


Art, Events, Outdoors, Photos

Skiing at Chester Bowl

Nov 11, 2009 1 Comment

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.


Outdoors, Recommendations

UMD Fall Sustainability Fair: Nov. 4

Oct 29, 2009 No Comments

UMD Sustainability

UMD Office of Civic Engagement

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.


Events, News and Current Affairs, Outdoors

How are you liking the Lakewalk extension?

Oct 25, 2009 16 Comments

LakewalkExt34905682

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?


Outdoors

Silver Creek Cliff (less than an hour from Duluth)

Oct 14, 2009 8 Comments

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.

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Outdoors, Photos , ,

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

Oct 13, 2009 13 Comments

PennCreek894572

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

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Outdoors, Photos , ,

Bike racks anyone?

Oct 01, 2009 7 Comments

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!


Outdoors , ,

Moose on the Loose at Deer River High

Sep 30, 2009 2 Comments

DeerRiverMoose3489567

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.


Outdoors

Morley Park Fall Fundraising Festival

Sep 30, 2009 No Comments

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 http://morleyheights.blogspot.com/ or find us on Facebook. Hope to see you there!


Events, Music, Outdoors

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

Sep 29, 2009 1 Comment

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.”  http://www.trestleinn.com


Outdoors, Videos

Minnesota North Shore Fall Colors Report 2009

Sep 27, 2009 No Comments

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.


News and Current Affairs, Outdoors, Random

The Glensheen Luxury Experience

Sep 25, 2009 2 Comments

GlensheenPoster

New poster and ink. Great. Press.

Everything you need to know…

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Art, Events, Music, Outdoors ,