July 3rd, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Outdoor Living
Ironic that Minnesota’s oldest state park, should be the first in our state to adopt that 21st-century amenity known as wireless internet access. But Itasca State Park is making the woods safe for persons entirely dependent upon their laptops and Blackberries. Or at least through year’s end, as part of an experiment of sorts to […]
June 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Living
This Saturday, over 20,000 people will be celebrating The Great American Backyard Campout to discover and share the joys of the outdoors – even here in our own backyards. Whether you’re a self-described ‘indoorsy-type’ or a seasoned Boundary Waters canoeist, we at UpNorthica want to do our part to get you outside. So let us […]
June 24th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Gear, Outdoor Living
We recently spent a camping weekend, under siege by wave after merciless wave of invading mosquitos. Our best defense? A kid-friendly bug spray that was so safe on skin, the bugs were misting themselves with it as a moisturizer. I would rather have smoked them out by lighting my own hair on fire, if I […]
June 6th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Bushcraft, Environment, Outdoor Living, Survival Skills
I just listened to an interview with Norm Kidder, VP of a non-profit that teaches primitive technologies (as in stone tools, adzes, bows and arrows. etc). He discusses why primitive tool-making still has a place in our modern world. The highlight, though, comes when he points out the problem with the ‘leave no trace’ ethic.
The […]
May 21st, 2008 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2007 was a record-setting year for contraction of tick-borne diseases, Lyme disease being only one of them. In a recent report, they blame the rise on too few precautions being taken.
And of course you know what that means, don’t you? Yep, time to tuck your jeans into your […]
May 15th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Living
As Minnesota commemorates its Sesquicentennial, it’s great to see a number of the celebrations are in the best places our state has: the Outdoors.
On June 1st, for example, day admission to all state parks will be free, as they host the “Great Minnesota Picnic.” The aim is to encourage folks to bring their picnic lunch, […]
May 9th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Kayaking, Outdoor Living, Wildlife
Last Mother’s Day, I packed my wife in a boat and sent her down the river.
I didn’t buy any presents. There were no flowers or truffles, no pomegranate-clove scented facial scrubs in a gift bag with curlicue paper confetti; not this time. Instead, I launched her and her kayak into a half-day’s worth of solitude […]
May 1st, 2008 | by Andy | published in Canoeing, Kayaking, Outdoor Living, Resources
In the weeks before our family trips to the BWCA, my dad used to warm up by portaging our canoe around the block. This wasn’t a bad idea, or even uncommon today. But the thing isn’t exactly street legal and it’s hard to hand-signal your turns.
So, earlier this year, I asked a trainer at my […]
April 29th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Fishing, Outdoor Living
When a fishing show can not only reel in a non-fishing dude, but compel him to buy a DVD, call that show a Success. Yup, there it is, fellers, I gone ‘n’ done it.
Fish Bum, Volume 1: Mongolia follows four fly-fishermen across the globe as they they travel on “horseback, camel, bush vehicles and hiking […]
April 25th, 2008 | by Andy | published in BWCAW, Camping, Canoeing, Food, Outdoor Living
I couldn’t even begin to cover half of the presentations, speakers, demos and exhibitors scheduled this weekend for Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo. I certainly won’t be able to attend all the ones that I’d like to. So help a guy out and go to the Expo yourself. We’ll compare notes and share our goodie-bags […]
April 15th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living, Survival Skills
Are you burning for outdoor adventures, but gosh, just don’t feel like outrunning avalanches or BASE jumping from 300-foot cliffs? If you love hiking, paddling and portaging and think it would be even more fun with an added competitive edge, then it’s time you tried Adventure Racing.
Wild Adventure Race is one of several Minnesota organizers […]
April 15th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living
Feeling antsy as you wait for the water to open up? Restless for the feel of the trail beneath your feet? Thirsty for adventure? Might I interest you in the foolishly dangerous variety?
If you’re looking to inspire your inner dirtbag, don’t miss the Radical Reels Film Tour, featured at Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo. The […]
April 9th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Camping, Outdoor Living
Sometimes when I hear self-described ‘non-outdoors types’ bemoan why they hate to camp, I catch myself chuckling inaudibly. Comedian John Pinette’s reasons had me laughing out loud.
Via Uncooped.
March 26th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living
A record-setting $34,000 grant has funded the purchase of one sweet-looking hovercraft for the Excelsior Fire Department. The vehicle provides a far safer means to rescuing dumb-as-an-ox snowmobilers and drunken ice fishermen, than the common belly crawl. It’s also a handy ride when you need to go shopping for R-2 units or head into Toshi […]
March 18th, 2008 | by Andy | published in Outdoor Living, Resources
Question: How easy is it to find a decent, reputable web site with tips on finding shed deer and moose antlers?
Answer: About as easy as finding the antlers themselves.
Ugh. Ya know, I do my best to be a resource, honestly I do. I mean c’mon, gathering antlers is a great way to get outdoors and […]