April 27th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Art
Ease into the week by watching artist Bill Dan doing some *real* work.
This reminded us of many lazy hours making our own sculptures around the campsite. Do you find yourself wanting to trade jobs with him, too? Via SwissMiss.
April 24th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, North Shore
While many expo-goers are adventuring vicariously this week, one man has quietly embarked upon a dream of his own.
On Wednesday, Duluth-born Erik Simula launched his canoe into Lake Superior on a 1000-mile paddle that will touch on voyageur routes as it weaves through the Arrowhead Region.
But he voyageur detail is no ‘angle’ or novelty [...]
April 23rd, 2009 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Gear, Hiking, Outdoor Living, Resources
Midwest Mountaineering kicks off their Outdoor Adventure Expo on Thursday. Still going strong in its 48th year, it doesn’t look at all downsized due to the recession, we’re happy to report.
That’s only sorta good news, because it’s still impossible to see and do everything. From discovering Arctic Scandinavia by paddle, to protecting our own [...]
April 22nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Gear
Paddling for leisure and recreation is part of a healthy lifestyle. This tee is a nice reminder that canoeing to save your ass has its advantages, as well. Just keep that crossbow handy.
We’ve actually seen a few takes on the design out there in the web-o-sphere, but with the hoodie version and several color options, [...]
April 21st, 2009 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Kayaking, Resources
If it’s bigger than a puddle and it’s in Minnesota, Lynne and Bob Diebel have likely canoed it. The lifetime paddlers traveled almost 3,000 miles along 58 rivers in researching their books Paddling Northern Minnesota and Paddling Southern Minnesota.
Now you get to ride along as they host Tales of Water Trails, a new weekly podcast [...]
April 20th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Gear
I guess it was kinda inevitable. And I guess if you’re a dyed-in-the-dry wick fan of Bear Grylls, news of his new line of survival fashions is more than great. And it is.
What, you’re skeptical? Or maybe just content to patronize your local outdoors store for nearly-identical items? Well, that may be your path…
But if [...]
April 16th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Gear
Check out a behind-the-scenes video of how Duluth Packs are made, courtesy of our friends at the BWCAcast team. Nice to see that someone out there still does “make ‘em like they used to.” Not to mention, in the same place where they used to.
Watching it gave me a greater-still respect for the dedicated people [...]
April 14th, 2009 | by Arthur | published in Art, Canoeing, History
While this post lives a little more DownSouthica (just Winona, not the bayou thankfully) it has everything to do with one of the great loves of any self-respecting Northerner: Canoes.
The Art of the Canoe exhibit at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN gives you everything you love about canoes (hand-built beauty and plenty [...]
April 13th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Camping, Canoeing, Gear, Outdoor Living, Winter Sports
Spotting animal tracks — with your iPhone? It can do THAT?
It was a short 2 years ago, that the outdoor industry was bemoaning “nature deficit disorder” among our younger generations. Some, like the MN-DNR, had hoped to lure people into state parks with geocaching events and contests. But overall, many observed with concern, a waning [...]
April 8th, 2009 | by Andy | published in History, North Shore
Following news of modern day piracy got me thinking today: Have the Great Lakes ever had pirates? What! Ridiculous, right? Of course not, I said.
Wrong, said Google.
Pirates did menace the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior at the turn of the last century, but they weren’t after gold. Aye, these scurvy dogs were after [...]
April 8th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Books, Camping, Canoeing
If you’re a total paddle-head, the kind who spends hours online devouring trip reports, we’ve got a rare treat for you.
Our tour has been one of daily excitement, filled from first to last with grand old forests, noble waterfalls, picturesque lakes, and cascades. A region in which an artist might linger many weeks with profit [...]
April 6th, 2009 | by Andy | published in Food
When packing a trail lunch, there are two halves of me that vie for the role of Menu Planner:
The Hiker in me is practical, wanting only raw materials to give me energy. Carbs, proteins, maybe a modest sugar boost, but don’t go crazy. Keep it simple this time, don’t pack a whole picnic. We’re trying [...]
April 2nd, 2009 | by Andy | published in Environment
After almost 2 years of talks, land owner U.S. Steel still isn’t satisfied with the MN-DNR’s offers to purchase 2,500 acres for a new state park. And while the deal’s not officially off, the company has announced they will move towards developing the property.
From DNR Commisioner Mark Holsten:
“They haven’t moved off their price,” Holsten [...]
April 1st, 2009 | by Arthur | published in Uncategorized
Citing Ely’s “1.3 million acres of untouched wilderness is beyond compare, so there’s plenty of room for Ely to host thousands of athletes and more than a million visitors, and we have lots of space for the facilities.” Ely says they may me a couple of years late for the deadline for a first bid, [...]
April 1st, 2009 | by Andy | published in Wildlife
That’s what I was wondering last week, as several TC news outlets covered the release of a rehabilitated raptor named Golden Eagle 42. And could we expect to see them in the BWCA?
A call to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha brought me the answers: They’ve already been here a while; and No, respectively.
Having taken [...]