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Monthly Archives: October 2008
A Nice Little Cabin On the Lake — Literally
We normally don’t blog about such creature comforts as posh cabins and houseboats, but we’re justifying this post by telling ourselves that this is neither.
Wayne and Margy Lutz blog about living in this floating cabin, on the jewel-toned waters of Coastal British Columbia. Definitely enough to make dreamers like me, turn emerald green with envy. I should think living in one of these would be street-legal on the lakes of Voyageurs Nat’l Park, right? Right? No… didn’t think so either.
http://powellriverbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-chance-to-be-alone.html
http://tinyhouseblog.com/floating-homes/our-little-cabin-up-the-lake/
What’s a Pictograph Worth?
Even if you’ve never been to Pictured Lake or heard of it, you actually do love the place dearly. That’s because the Ontario lake (located about 15 miles southwest of Thunder Bay) is the home of this pictograph, one of the border region’s most iconic and recognizable images. The pictograph is estimated to be in the hundreds of years old, but you’ll want to get a snapshot soon – that photo may last longer than the pictograph itself.
Yyyyy-yup, you guessed it: The current owner of the land is a developer, and has plans to subdivide the property into building lots.
The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, a local non-profit, are working to raise private funds for purchase of the land. To realize their vision of creating a new reserve, they have until December 8th to raise $170,000 [assumedly Canadian dollars.] That’s about $218,000 American dollars… Uhhhh, that sounds like an absolute steal! Their site has more info on how to help, as well as several photos of the gorgeous lake; go have a look. And then call any millionaire buddies you have, for a little pocket change. Tell ‘em UpNorthica sent you. Via Murat the Paddle Maker.
1 billion served at the State Forest Nurseries
On Thursday, the one billionth seedling grown at the State Forest Nurseries was ceremoniously placed into cold storage to await the spring planting. DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten was on-site at the state’s Willow River facility, operating the forklift that carried the lil’ sprout to its temporary winter home. The nurseries are also celebrating 80 years of planting trees, which in addition to like, just growing, do a ton of other stuff:
The seedlings have been used to create windbreaks, establish erosion control, reforest riverbanks and streambanks, re-establish wildlife habitat and support the state’s strong wood fiber industry.
Wow. It never fails that every time I ask how I can help the environment, planting a tree figures into the answer.
UPDATE: Here’s some video coverage of the event.
Jim Brandenburg has a photoblog; look and be amazed.
Famed photographer Jim Brandenburg has just posted a batch of photos recently shot in Denali National Park, Alaska.
Y’know…the only thing more wonderful than looking at skadillions of lovely Brandenburg photos, would be to actually live inside the man’s camera. Dang, the things this guy sees — amazing!
He’s also recently put up a series of photos taken in Giverny, France and inspired by Monet’s impressionist paintings. On paying a visit to the Brandenburg Gallery in Ely this weekend, I saw several of them printed on canvas; they really do look like paintings.
Beards make the man better
Paddling technique a little on the lame side? Bushcraft skills a bit lacking? If you still consider yourself a “camper” or “enthusiast” instead of a Woodsman, maybe it is because you need to grow a beard.
Start beefing up your trail cred by reading 10 Very Good Reasons Why You Should Grow A Giant Beard. Just ask Grizzly Adams or Jeremiah Johnson and they will tell you the same: Beards make you way outdoorsy, northwoodsy and far less likely to be messed with by man and beast alike. Get to it, Peachfuzz. Via Backpacker.
Happy 29th, BWCA ;)
Whoa, how did we miss this?
Thirty years ago this Tuesday, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act was signed into law. Thus becoming, in the estimation of myself and all my buds, The Official Best Place on the Earth, Like, Ever. The tranquil, motorboat-free lakes, roadless forests and miles of undeveloped shoreline we enjoy today are due to the passing of that legislation (thanks for the birthday reminder, Greg!)
It’s really hard to sing “Happy Birthday” on a blog. So… we thought we’d celebrate by inviting everyone to share a Favorite BWCA Memory, here in the Comments of this post. Let us hear yours; both short and long stories are welcome…
Get your Smokey on
The weighty tone of the last few posts was more than I could handle for long. So on a whim, I decided to see just what Smokey the Bear is up to these days…
Love the first commercial – more, please! If you’re into nostalgia, our favorite ursine ally also has a trove of vintage posters and memorabilia. [It should be stated that it was by accident that my still image above, makes it look like Smokey is giving someone the finger (or the paw?). A happy accident, but unintentional nonetheless.]
UPDATE: Smokey sure is busy! There are a number of Smokey the Bear PSAs floating around the Interweb. And several Facebook groups as well (Personal Fave: McGruff vs. Smokey.)
Ham Lake Fire culprit is a lot like you and me
A Washington, D.C. resident was indicted Wednesday for having started the Ham Lake Fire of 2007. Upon cracking the report on this, I had expected to read about an outdoors newbie or perhaps a young-ish camper lacking judgment. Sadly, the truth was quite the opposite.
It wasn’t some kid, but in fact a 63-year old retired federal employee, whose campfire began one of the worst blazes in Minnesota’s history. It was a one-time Minnesota resident and BWCA frequenter who fueled the fire mainly with flimsy, blow-away paper trash, carelessly ‘doused’ it and walked away. And there’s no sense in beating the whole lying-to-investigators thing into the ground; this speaks for itself.
While not everyone would make these same mistakes, many catastrophic fires are set off by normal, good people like you and me. Still, this shameful story is a reminder that we all wear the ranger’s hat. When we’re all alone out there, using and enjoying our pristine forests, we must assume a very literal sense of stewardship…even ownership.
[Smokey steps down from his soapbox]
On voting “Yes” for Minnesota
‘CCO news anchor Don Shelby posted his thoughts yesterday on the upcoming Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment vote. Impassioned but to-the-point, it’s by far the best argument I’ve yet read in support of the amendment.
The “Vote ‘YES’ for the Minnesota You Love” campaign has a site that explains the amendment far better than I could. The site holds up no shortage of statistics and messages that have many rallying behind, while others (many of them, outdoorsmen) rail against it. It’s become a rather contentious issue statewide.
Me, I’m with Don. The Boundary Waters is not our backyard; it’s we who are in the backyard of one of the world’s rarest wildernesses. I’d want to protect that place; I wouldn’t want to take any chances with losing it. Or any of our wild places, parks and museums. If you feel the same, please be sure to get out there on the 4th.
How to fit a backpack, by founder of Gregory Packs
If you didn’t know already, there actually is a right way of fitting yourself with a backpack — and plenty of wrong ways.
Wayne Gregory, founder of Gregory Packs, demonstrates how to pick the right size pack, and how to put it on before hitting the trail. Of course, he also manages to plug his own product a little, but after having reviewed one of Gregory’s latest packs, we’re fine with that. Via Trailspace.
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