Peak Fall Color weekend on the NorthShore of MN.

This is reported to be a peak fall color weekend on Northshore of Minnesota. But perhaps could see some aurora colors as well? I sure hope so! Click on the links below to check for Northern Lights and Northern Leaf color reports. I'll be using my smart phone to do just that. Tonight the Aurora is active but it's a bit cloudy so not certain they can be seen? The weekend is forecasted to be clear and sunny. Cool hiking weather! Nothing at this point could stop me from getting up HWY 61 to Carlton Peak or Lookout Mountain. This will be a good one. Stay tuned for pictures.


http://www.spaceweather.com/

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html

Pagami Creek Fire and Fall Colors.

No visible plumes of smoke today on the daily satellite shot. You can clearly see the burn area on the map. 93,000 acres of it. If you look close on the ridges just above the lake you can see fall color. It should be just about peak this weekend in areas. This is important because I leave for a week of color hiking and touring in about two days. Good food, good hikes and colorful leaves. It's my most favorite time of the year. I've been thinking about it for two weeks.

Pink Salmon spawn Minnesota North shore.

The Pink Salmon have started the spawning run on some of the North Shore streams of Lake Superior. I missed seeing this last year by only a week. They have been reported on the Cascade River. I hadn't heard of Pink Salmon and was confused about what they were? Come to find out they are a exotic that was introduced to Lake Superior.

http://hatch.cehd.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/pink_salmon.html

And how did they get here:

http://minnesotasteelheader.blogspot.com/2006/10/pink-salmon-what-really-happened.html

Also known as the 'Autumn Salmon', Pink Salmon are now running in the Temperance River. These fish were accidentally released into Lake Superior in the 1950's, and are now thriving in the lake. They spawn in the lake's tributaries in the fall, and die after spawning. Often, otters and birds of prey can be seen taking advantage of this all-you-can-eat salmon buffet. Look in the mouth of the Temperance River and the pools below the foot bridge for this Pacific exotic.

Pagami Creek Fire updated Satellite shots, Minnesota

It's the mop up time for the Pagami Creek fire, and it could take weeks. The updated number is 93,000 acres burned. Quite a huge area. You can clearly see the burn area on the close up shot that is circled on the map. Smoke was hardly noticeable today on the satellite shots. Last week I was amazed how much smoke it produced. The amount of work the firefighters are doing is incredible. Over 500 working right now getting the hot spots in rough country.

Good pictures:

http://www.sawbill.com/www/news/archives/2011/09/index.cfm#003494

Pagami Creek Fire BWCAW Minnesota

I found another incredible satellite shot of the fire, this one from NASA. This was from last week when the fire was really blazing. The amount of smoke was huge. Yesterday the fire didn't grow despite the winds up to 25mph gusting. Today, Sunday there is rain in the area and that will aid the firefighters. There are 500 of them working on this fire. Conditions are so dry in the area that campfires are not allowed of course. The Arrowhead region of Minnesota is in drought.

Pagami Creek Fire updated views

9-16-2011 Satellite Shot.


Close up below:

Yesterday's cloudless satellite image showed a clear view of the burn area. The fire had calmed down a bit and firefighters are getting control. Concern however is that winds this weekend will kick up due to a approaching front. There are 500 firefighters on the job. Including the elite Hot Shots. We have seen these fellows on the news fighting huge western fires. They are the top guns of fire fighting. There have been close calls to date but nobody has been hurt or injured.Campers have escaped the fire and have stories of ash and embers flying over them. Sunday it's to rain which will aid the firefighters in containment.

Pagami Creek Fire BWCAW Minnesota

I really enjoy satellite shots from the daily fly over of the weather satellite. You can see the smoke from the Pagami Creek fire in these shots from the last two days. It has not advanced much more then 100,000 acres which it was at yesterday. But that is HUGE! The largest fire since 1918 I have read. The 40mph NW winds on Tuesday really had moved it further then they had expected it to go. Stories in the newspaper of campers being overtaken are quite scary to read. Folks hoping for the best with cabins in the area. It's a remote area and Hotshot firefighters canoed into the area. Helicopters drop equipment and water pumps. The elite firefighters are from Boise Idaho. I was talking about it today and a person said why don't they just put it out? I explained how remote it was, no roads! Helicopters and planes are used to do water drops. The story is getting coverage in the news in Milwaukee and Chicago for the only reason that they are affected. The smoke has come down due to the winds and people can smell it and even see the smoke. It has caused many to call fire departments in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Where is the fire?? It's in Minnesota? How far away?? What??? The fire was caused by lightning and I was near the Boundary Waters in a cabin the week when it happened.

Daily reports and updates:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2534

Pagami Creek Fire

The smoke was heavy today blown by a strong NW wind. In Whitewater I could smell it.That is in Whitewater Wisconsin! Yes way down between Madison and Milwaukee! It was all haze and smoke today from the fire! The winds were just right to carry it that far where I was visiting somebody. Amazing! Miller Park in Milwaukee closed the roof for baseball due to smoke tonight.

Fall Brook Trout Spawning Run.

Two falls ago we were hiking in search of fall color in which to photograph. It was a wonderful fall and we were near peak color time. Hiking along a small stream we spotted something, brook trout! They were in spawn! We were thrilled as we had never seen this or been so lucky to be there at the right time. I put on my zoom lens and snapped these shots. Being very careful not to scare them away. They look bigger then they are with the zoom but you can see how pristine the water was in this wonderful unnamed stream. So now this is our secret place and we shall try to time another visit to the spawn this fall which is about to happen. For more information click on the link below:

http://www.bwca.cc/activities/fishing/fallbrookies.htm

Two types of color

Image from Spaceweather.com of the aurora flaring up about 10pm.

Stream on the Northshore that is dry due to the lack of rain in the far north of Minnesota.

Tonight there are reports of Aurora up on the North shore. Wish I was there! This seems to be a active year for Northern lights. The other type of color from changing leaves is just beginning. There is just a hint of color on the ridges. Not much but a hint. Drought in the far northern part of the Arrowhead of Minnesota might cause the leaves to drop quickly there? Will see? I have a fall color tour planned and it's all timing. Last year I was just past peak.This year I hope to hit it right on the nose. But that is hard as there are so many factors that cause the timing to change slightly. It would be a double thrill to see the Aurora and the peak fall colors during the same week. Now that would be asking for alot but you never know?

Anderson Aero sad story

Grand Marais, MN.
Floatplane flips over on Devil Track Lake.
A floatplane taking off from Devil Track Lake flipped over on the east end of the lake on Saturday, August 27, resulting in substantial damage to the plane, but no injuries to the pilot or three passengers. The plane, a 1960 Cessna 182 fixed wing single-engine owned by Dan Anderson of Grand Marais was piloted by Mike Raymond of Grand Marais

Hopefully the plane can be restored to working order again. It's a very nice Moose Tour.

Ship coming in!

It never gets old, I've watched the ships arrive at the Shipping Canal for 30 years.

http://duluthshippingnews.com/

Good Harbor Bay Minnesota

Good Harbor Bay Minnesota just south of Grand Marais. This has been the summer of the North shore for me. Several trips up and down the shore. And there is still more to explore. You will never run out of places to visit between Duluth and Grand Portage. The fog was on the bay making it interesting. Rock hunters like the shores in this area. Thomsonite is one sought after rock. Agates another of course. I've never found either. I cheat and find them at the Beaver Bay rock shop.

North shore sunset

Practice the art of doing nothing is a vacation phrase I heard recently on a ad. It really seems to apply on the North Shore. Grab a ice cream sundae and just sit for awhile. You don't have to be busy all the time. You might see a nice sunset.

Pigeon River, Minnesota/Canadian Border

Just before the Canadian Border on HWY 61 is the Pigeon River and the High Falls. Matter of fact the river is the border. The Visitor center there has been remodeled and the trails to the falls upgraded. It's a very easy walk to the falls and the viewing pods as they call them in Canada. For more information click on the link below the picture.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_River_(Minnesota%E2%80%93Ontario)

Inuksuk marks the way

The Inuit used Inuksuks to make their way in the barren tundra. With no real landmarks it was the only way to find the path. Each August these seem to appear in great numbers on Artist Point at Grand Marais Mn.. They are always there in few but with the increase in vacationers they just explode in numbers on the point. It’s a wonderful treat and really entertaining to see who has made what and how elaborate. Perhaps they are marking the way to a excellent vacation holiday for families in Grand Marais. I don’t know of many better spots with the variety of things to do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuksuk

August Moon

A full August moon on the North Shore of Minnesota. Weather was clear and cool at night.
Perfect for moon viewing. This is the view from the cabin near Lutsen. What would be better in the evening? I typed in August Moon on Google and it came up with hundreds of Chinese restaurants and a few old songs. But to my surprise the moon in August is called the Sturgeon Moon. I would have never guessed that one. Next August 2012 we will have two full moons in August. The second is always called the Blue Moon.

Fisherman's Picnic and Parade, Grand Marais,Mn.

Exciting events, food stands and a nice Parade on Sunday afternoon. This is the Fisherman's Picnic at Grand Marais. And of course you have to eat a Fish Burger at the stand. They sell hundreds of them over the three day event. The wood cutting events are the best to watch.

Constant changing weather in Grand Marais, MN.

One minute it's a bit rainy, then foggy and then clear again. Last night the Northern Lights were just the best in years but I missed it. Click the link below for information on the Auroras.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Cascade Lodge, Lutsen Minnesota.

Another summer holiday at the Cascade Lodge again this summer! I feel lucky as that was unplanned and there was a opening. The location between Lutsen and Grand Marais Minnesota is ideal. I really enjoy the fact the Lodge is in the Cascade River State Park and you can hike from your door to the waterfalls. Pictured is the Lodge and you can't tell the water from the sky as it was just a picture perfect day. You can also rent cabins if you don't want to stay in the lodge. I really like the cabins near Cascade Creek. The sound of rushing water is very nice at night. And the bottom picture is one of the waterfalls of the Cascade River in the park. It's only a short hike from the Lodge. Hike all morning, get real hungry and have lunch in the Lodge restaurant overlooking Lake Superior. In the wintertime they have groomed XC Ski trails if you enjoy the other seasons as well.