Cooler by the Lake

Are the key words for me this Holiday week. So I'm off to the Cascade Lodge in Lutsen Minnesota. I'll be sure to take alot of pictures for future use on the blog of the adventures.

Another flood result.......

It all has to go somewhere and sadly it's into the beautiful lake. It will settle in time but for the time being it looks nasty from the satellite shot and the shoreline as well.

Another Waterfall season

Cascade Falls, Cascade State Park.

Waterfalls are roaring again on the North Shore of Minnesota. This is the third time this year starting with a early meltdown in March. Then followed by a late May storm and now this huge rain this week. Sadly the nice waterfalls come at a cost to Duluth Minnesota with flood damages in excess of 100 million dollars. Duluth is really a nice city and one of my favorites. Some of the damage is hard to believe. Huge sink holes and gullies washed into the hillsides.

Moose Mountain lunch

The best lunch spot in my mind is at the top of Moose Mountain at Lutsen Ski Resort. They have a new mountaintop Chalet that was built just a few years ago. It is fantastic with a deck that wraps around the building. The views are wonderful and that is Superior National Golf course below. While you might think the burgers and snacks are a bit heavy on cost you must remember that they have to haul it up the mountain and that included in the lunch is a 100 mile view on a clear day. You can see Upper Michigan sometimes. Also the Tram ride up is great fun. Better then any State Fair ride in my opinion. The kids just love it.

Along the shore you find interesting things.

Along the North shore you find these little pot holes worn into the rock. The power of the Lake Superior waves grinds them out with the friction of the rocks swirling in the depression. The only question I have is how long does this take! They are often called grinders and perhaps other names? It's quite fascinating indeed.

Flat Calm Beautiful.......

I really like Grand Marais, it has that something called sense of place. Unique in it's scenery and it's vibe. It has a bit of everything for everybody. You can find about anything you like there.

Northshore Minnesota May trip before the big holiday.

The harbor at Grand Marais is very nice. They have created a wonderful park and many people have put in great effort to make it so nice. This location was a gas station the first time I visited Grand Marais in 1983.

The Cross River Falls can be seen right from a wayside on Highway 61.

High Falls at the border is the highest falls in Minnesota. Last week after we snapped this shot it rained hard and the waterfalls are just flowing at a level not seen in almost a decade. I recall being in Grand Marais about nine years ago on Memorial Day weekend and it rained 3" and the falls were huge. There is a new visitor center at Grand Portage and a very nice improved trail to the falls. The drive up to the border and back is fantastic.

Spring is here when the bears are about.

Time to put away the bird feeders and mind your trash cans. The bears are hungry and looking for a picnic basket Yogi. Rangers said hang your food in the food bag up the tree when canoe camping. When car camping put that cooler in the truck. If you're luck you might spot a bear on the back roads grazing in the ditch. They eat a great deal of things. This one looks to be about 300 lbs. A guess of course, could be more? Always enjoyable to spot wildlife in the Lake Superior Region.

Earth day,Gaylord Nelson and the Apostle Islands.

In Wisconsin when one thinks of Earth Day you think of Gaylord Nelson.

His daughter was on Wisconsin Public Radio recently talking about the programs and continuing efforts to preserve what makes Wisconsin great.

http://www.nelsonearthday.net/nelson/environmental-decade.htm

The Thurday Program with Gaylord Nelson's daughter on WPR:

http://wpr.org/webcasting/audioarchives_display.cfm?Code=dun

Waterfall season

The waterfall season after the snowmelt is a wonderful time to explore the streams on the North shore of Minnesota. This is Gooseberry Falls of course. One of the most visited falls. You could visit a new falls each year as there are so many on the shore between Duluth and Canada.

The Run Begins!

The Steel Head are starting to run this spring already. It seems early to me but of course so is our spring. I'm not a fisherman but I like to see the fish and the activity at the streams.I saw a fellow catch a large steel head years ago on a big fly rod and it was quite exciting to watch.Nothing better then rushing fast water and waterfalls.

Minnesotasteelheader.com

Clear skies and no ice.

The sky was clear Sunday and there is no snow or ice to be seen.
Which is pretty incredible for the month of March. Alot of yard work is being done early. It was the sort of day that you just had to be outside even if it was a bit chilly in the wind. Sure makes it hard to ski however!
I've never seen Daffidills in March before.

The Breakup in Bayfield Wisconsin

Pancake ice in the channel between Bayfield and Madeline island shows the early spring.
No ice road this year to the island. The Ferry boats ran all winter this year.

Waterfall season starts early

A trip to Amnicon Falls State Park in Wisconsin shows the results of the snow melt. The waterfall was flowing strong. The meltdown is early this year due to the unusual warm weather.

Spring?

Quite possible the shortest winter in my history. March might set a warm temp record.

Call it climate change, climate cycles, altered jet stream or a fluke. It doesn't matter as it's happening. I must say it has me excited way ahead of time for spring and summer activities.

I did manage to ski twice. I would have liked to have gone again but then again I am pleased about not running the snow blower but once. I put it away last weekend and dumped the expensive gas into the car. The bears could be out of their dens early this year. I'd keep off the ice now if you want to fish. Doesn't seem to be worth the risk. This shot down at Canal Park says it all.

Better late then never, winter is here!

Snowfall depths in the area after recent storms.

Mike Seidel in Duluth Mn.

Mike Seidel in Duluth not to be confused with the Mike Seidel on the UMD Bulldogs.

This was Mike Seidel of Weather Channel fame.

He reported in front of the Inn on the Park and gave great National attention to Duluth today. He spoke of Uncle Harvey's Mausoleum which has a marker telling the story of the crib on the lake walk.

A sign near the ruins describes the building as a business venture gone bad. It was constructed in 1919 by Harvey Whitney, the locations' namesake to be used as a sand and gravel hopper to support the booming industrial expansion in Duluth, MN during that time. After just three short years, it was abandoned in 1922.

Also some great shots of huge waves and the lighthouses. I really enjoyed watching Duluth on the Weather Channel today. Really gave good National attention to a wonderful city.

What's happening? Plenty!

Snow on the North Central Radar tonight.

The Polar Plunge in Bayfield Wi. During the Winter Festivial.

I thought I’ve not posted for awhile but what is happening? Well I did my Sunday surfing and a lot is happening. Firstly the Northern Lights are very active this year. A photographer from Grand Portage captures aurora images very well and has been on WTIP radio talking about it a few times. Click on his website link below to see the pictures. Second the below average snowfall has had resorts doing a lot of advertising on Face book and on their web pages. But fear not, tonight the North Shore has a nice winter storm. Plenty of snow for XC skiing and downhill Skiing at Lutsen and Spirit Mountain. Winter is not over yet. The winter festival is next weekend in Bayfield WI and a few events were adjusted for conditions. The run on the water will be run on land this year. Unsafe ice conditions.They will have their polar plunge of course. Always fun to watch.

Active Northern Lights tonight:

http://www.travisnovitsky.com/

Big Country

I can’t help but stare at these daily Satellite shots with awe. All those frozen lakes and all that unpopulated land. Wild unspoiled land really still exists in the Upper Midwest. Pure water and fresh air galore. It is very inspiring to me. I’m making reservations already for cabins this year. Waterfalls, summertime hikes and fall colors. Much to look forward to this year.

Where is winter?

Apparently in Europe and the Western US. But not in the upper Midwest. The live cam down at the Canal in Duluth shows what looks like April. Water like glass instead of ice.