Outdoors Posts

Birthday on the Brule River

Aug 07, 2012 3 Comments

By David Cowardin
Duluth Outdoors Editor 

My parents were on their way to Duluth for my 24th birthday and I gave them a call:

“How about we paddle the Brule?” I asked my mom.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, hesitation that said she wasn’t thrilled about the idea but wasn’t prepared to say no on my birthday. So 20 minutes later I had my canoe strapped to the roof of my vehicle and was on my way to meet my parents in Superior, Wisconsin. From there we consolidated vehicles and navigated through the city’s orange-cone maze before moving onward to Brule.

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Outdoors

Swimming Lake Superior 7-28

Jul 28, 2012 4 Comments

“‘Things that lived under the sea…had cities on the seabottom, an’ the island was heaved up from thar. An’ some of the things was alive in the buildins when it come up…humans got a relation to ’em, see? Everything alive come aout o’ the water once an’ only needs a little change to go back.’…. ‘Dreams of a phosphorescent palace with gardens of strange leprous corals and grotesque brachiate efflorescences, fathoms below… I must swim out to that brooding reef and dive down through black abysses. And there I shall dwell amidst wonder and glory forever.'” – H.P. Lovecraft, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”


Outdoors, Recommendations, Videos

Tackle shop recommendations, etc. — Advice for getting started fishing in Duluth

Jul 28, 2012 6 Comments

I’m relatively new to Duluth, and I’m hoping that PDD folks will offer advice as I begin learning about fishing here in the city. What tackle shops should I visit for tips and gear? Anyone want to share the location of their favorite fishing hole?


Outdoors, Recommendations

Swimming Lake Superior July 21st

Jul 22, 2012 No Comments

Warm as amniotic brine.


Outdoors, Recommendations, Videos

Beware: Attacking Otters in Duluth

Jul 17, 2012 8 Comments

attacking otter duluth mn attacking otter duluth

Beware of attacking otters in the Duluth area. There is at least one on the loose at Island Lake. Where there is one there has got to be more.

Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Anoka triathlete suffers 25 bites in otter attack in Island Lake near Duluth“

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Outdoors

Another post-flood trails update

Jul 06, 2012 No Comments

Note: Please do not use trails if they are wet from today’s thunderstorm. See the link at the end of the post for info on trail work days.

There are a lot of trails open and ready for use, but some are still badly damaged. Here’s the latest report from Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Dept.:

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Outdoors

Exploring Lake Superior by Submarine

Jul 01, 2012 6 Comments

Jim and Allen Richardson of Gonzo Science explore Lake Superior in a two-man sub.


Art, Outdoors, Videos ,

Duluth Trail Update

Jun 29, 2012 4 Comments

Info from Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Division:

– The COGGS mountain-biking trails are not open due to wet conditions. It is possible the trails will be open next week.

– Kingsbury Trail is closed.

– Western Waterfront Trail is passable. Hikers are asked to use caution.

– The Lakewalk is repaired and open to the public.

– Chester Trail is closed

– Lester Ski Trail is currently being surveyed for damage. Use with caution.

– Hartley Trail is open.

– Lincoln Trail is closed.

– Superior Hiking Trail can only be summed up section-by-section …

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News and Current Affairs, Outdoors

Park Point Beach Website

Jun 26, 2012 1 Comment

The University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program has a new Park Point beach website. 103.3FM KUMD broadcasts reports based on ParkPointBeach.org at 10 a.m., Monday through Friday during the summer.

The website is a product of a water safety collaboration lead by the University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program, with contributions from the Minnesota Dept. of Health, City of Duluth Parks & Recreation Dept., Duluth Fire Dept., Duluth National Weather Service Office, Duluth Y, Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program, Northland Red Cross and Visit Duluth.


Outdoors

Chester Park Dam

Jun 22, 2012 No Comments

The dam at Chester Bowl washed away with the storm, taking canoeing programs with it. Director of the Chester Park Improvement Club, Thom Storm, said without the dam skiing programs could also see challenges.


News and Current Affairs, Outdoors, Videos ,

Flooding in Duluth and North Shore

Jun 20, 2012 13 Comments

Duluth Flood Arial

Rain, rain, go away. With 6-8 inches of precipitation in the past 18 hours, flooding in Duluth and the surrounding area has caused serious problems for everyone. With more rain on the way things are probably going to get worse before they get better. I have been personally fighting a flooding basement, but feel fortunate that is all I have had to deal with. I am wondering if now is the time to start building an ark?

Post your Duluth Flood 2012 pictures and videos in the comments.

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News and Current Affairs, Outdoors, Photos

Tischer Creek – 6:30am

Jun 20, 2012 No Comments

Outdoors ,

Duluth Hillside and Cascade Park Flood of 2012

Jun 20, 2012 12 Comments

Video of Lake Avenue and Fifth Street on Wednesday morning. My elder neighbor Shirley says that this is “Worse than 1972.”

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History, Outdoors, Photos, Videos , ,

How “Bikeable” is Duluth?

Jun 08, 2012 9 Comments

… more than you might expect, according to the folks who stopped by our bike station at Lake and Superior on Bike to Work Day a couple of weeks ago.


Outdoors, Videos

Watch out for trail-head thieves

Jun 06, 2012 20 Comments

I noticed a lot of broken glass last summer at trail-head parking lots, and last Friday I arrived at the parking lot at 123rd Ave. W. (Ely’s Peak, Munger Trail, Superior Hiking Trail) to meet a few folks who just had their car robbed.

So here’s your reminder to hide your valuables before leaving your vehicle and hitting the trails, unless you’re on a stakeout and plan to finally nab this punk (or these punks) in the act.


Outdoors