Outdoors
Mysterious “Headless Snowman” in Duluth’s Canal Park
I think that PDD needs to solve the mystery of the headless snowman, preferably in the form of a song, an epic poem, or maybe a short story in the style of O. Henry or Charles Dickens. Ok. Go.
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Duluth will study ATV trail
I’m curious to see what the study consists of and who will conduct it. I’m sure the public will have an opportunity to provide input and review the study. Regardless of whether an ATV trail is eventually approved, enforcement is an ongoing issue on our city trails (and not just regarding snowmobiles and ATVs).
Duluth News Tribune: Duluth City Council directs staff to study feasibility of ATV trail
Previous PDD post: Should ATVs be allowed on trails within Duluth city limits?
Hartley Arch
So what is going to be the established tradition for the Hartley arch? Is it a place to stop and smooch, or take a hit from your flask? I say both.
Should ATVs be allowed on trails within Duluth city limits?
According to an article in today’s DNT, City Councilor Jay Fosle has “introduced a resolution asking city staff to consider the feasibility of opening one or more city trails for ATV use. The resolution is on the consent agenda, which means its passage is virtually assured Monday night.”
Snow Day
What Four Mile Portage did with the snow day.
Employment at Chester Bowl
Snow making started a couple weeks ago at Chester Bowl. With this snowstorm and the stolen lift chair returned, the hill should be ready to go for the projected December 14 opening date.
Thom Storm, who has operated the ski program at Chester since the 70s, is planning to retire at the end of the 2015 ski season. Clearly, those are going to be some big shoes to fill, and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club is looking to hire someone to begin working with Thom this year.
Also hiring:
ski instructors and snowboard instructors.
Check the links for more info.
Snowmaking photo by Jeremy Kershaw.
Paved Trails at Hartley
I was out at Hartley Park this morning and saw that someone had posted signs letting visitors know that the city is considering paving a bunch of trails there. I looked up the mini master plan for Hartley that SRF Consulting Group prepared, and it does indeed call for paved trails running through the park to provide access for bikers, wheelchairs, and parents with strollers. I’m curious about what other PDDers think of this proposal.
Local owl lands in national bird magazine
The new issue of Birds & Blooms (cover date: Dec/Jan) features this image of a blue moon boreal owl shot by Duluth’s Ken Greshowak.
Time Lapse Video: The Deeps
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYA7TnYT27M
The Northshore streams are starting to ice over. The sunshine of the past few days have made them even more magical. In this short time lapse video taken Thursday afternoon, 10 minutes are reduced to 15 seconds. Enjoy some serenity on Amity Creek.
Amy and Dave Freeman’s Big Adventure
Amy and Dave Freeman of Grand Marais are among ten finalists for National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year. The couple paddled, dogsledded, and hiked 11,647 miles across North America from April 22, 2010 to April 4, 2013.
Northern Lights Over Hawk Ridge
This past Sunday night the Northern Lights shown over Duluth. This photo was taken at about 2:30 a.m. from the Hawk Ridge Viewing Platform. Hawk Ridge is a great place for watching the Aurora Borealis as the viewing platform gives an unobstructed view of the northern and northeast skies over rolling hills with very few lights to ruin the experience.
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The Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke
It’s back, as of Nov. 1.
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Stone-Arch Bridge and Haines Road open
The Stewart Creek Stone-Arch Bridge at Magney-Snively Natural Area (State Bridge Number L6007; built circa 1925) has been repaired from damage sustained during the Hideous Solstice Flood Calamity of 2012. The bridge had sustained significant flood damage and deterioration to the abutment walls, stone-arch underside, headwalls, wing walls, railing and guard stones. (We’re not sure when that sign was damaged or when it will be pulled upright.) (more…)
A Video Love Letter to Chester Creek
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5y2o2HBOHQ
Previously released segments united under one title, my Chester Creek magnum opus.
Probably the last Superior Hiking Trail post of 2013 … but we’ll see
I’m not sure if this is called Fox Farm Pond or Paisley Pond or both, but it’s funky as hell.
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City proposal to privatize 17 Park Point street-ends?
I’m wondering if anyone has heard of the city proposal to “privatize” 17 Park Point street-ends? Maybe this is old news?
Below is a letter from Dawn Buck, president of the Park Point Community Club, from this month’s Breeze of Park Point newsletter:
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Self Portraits While Checking Camera Settings, Summer 2013
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4JTNx_YMTQ
Every time I turn my GoPro on to check the settings, it takes an accidental self-portrait. I junked the first ones before realizing these random shots could function as a record. So this is what summer 2013 in Duluth, MN was like, which I spent dressing as Aquaman and recreating in the water.
Jay Cooke State Park Survey
The DNR is asking whether or not to open the road from Fond du Lac.
Feet of Lake Superior
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqbdvCpgT7I
A brief tour of Lake Superior — by foot.
Fauna of Lake Superior
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llg8rejFJ44
All the random animals that have crossed my path over 3-4 years of summer lake videography, familiar for the most part to regional residents. There were others that didn’t make it on video including river otter, sturgeon, various birds incl. loon seen threading between underwater boulders.
Getting Lost in the Valley of Silence
Yesterday I had a rare 90-minutes to myself and after some meandering I ended up behind St. Scholastica looking for the sunset. I never really did find it, but I did see some other stuff.
Piedmont Trail Hike
It’s a beautiful day to hike in a Duluth Park.
Duluth Parks Blog
If you are interested in Duluth city parks you might be interested in my parks blog:
Portable Amateur Radio from All Duluth Parks
kd0etc.blogspot.com
Seven Great Minnesota Fall Color Drives
Bob Berg wrote a great article in Lake Superior Magazine about “7 Great Fall Drives” to check out the changing colors. Let’s add to the list. What are some of your favorite Minnesota fall color drives in Duluth and along the South and North shores of Lake Superior? You can see the current fall color reports here.
I’ll start with the Temperance River road. The over-hanging canopy acts as a colorful tunnel as you make your way from Highway 61 north. You migth as well hit the Trestle Inn for a beer while your up in that area.