Outdoors Posts

How to avoid faceplants

Happy Meteorological Spring! It’s time to break out your no-wax skis. Some thoughts and advice from my blog after a recent ski outing to Hartley Park.

Save the deer, shoot a dog

This ranks pretty high on my list of stunning news releases.

Minnesota DNR: Dogs chasing deer an annual problem

In summary: Between Jan. 1 and July 14, it’s legal to shoot and kill a dog that is pursuing a deer.

Holy crap.

Community Gardens and Arts in Superior (Broadway Gardens) wants you!

Are you interested in gardening? Would you like to have your own community garden plot? The Broadway Community Gardens in Superior has organic raised beds to rent on the corner of Hammond and Broadway (Just over the High Bridge from Duluth, across from the Red Mug coffee house).

Riding the Lake Superior Waves

Here’s what they were doing Sunday off Stony Point, just south of Knife River. 50 mph wind gusts, 21 degrees.

Lake Superior Waves Video

I’m new to the area, so I was really excited to see the waves and film some this morning. To all locals: what’s the biggest waves you’ve seen?

Hockey Day Minnesota: Portman Bruins vs. Glen Avon Red Army

[This post originally featured video from nhl.com that has since been removed.]

Duluth Deer Parts

Has anyone else noticed deer parts along Seven Bridges Road? You know where they close the road in the winter, and people walk and ski and snowmobile and run dogs? Near the barrier at the bottom, and in the woods next to Smiley’s, my dog is always coming up with a spine or a leg or a hunk of pelvis. What’s up with that? Do poachers dump the parts they don’t want there? Do old deer go there to die?

Community Clean-ups for Water Quality

Imagine Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes full of clean, clear, fresh water for future generations to enjoy. Together we can make this vision a reality.  The Freshwater Society, the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, and the McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League invite you to learn more about Community Clean-Ups for Water Quality, created to protect the water in our lakes and rivers. Presentation on Monday, Feb. 21 @ 7 p.m. at Hartley Nature Center.

Steelhead Fishing Class for Youth

Join the Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA) and Hartley Nature Center for a great opportunity to learn about and try steelhead fishing. This event has eight openings for youth ages 12-15 to work with LSSA mentors to learn everything from equipment to technique. Female mentors available, so female youth are encouraged to sign up!  Class includes: Two classroom sessions at Hartley Nature Center (3001 Woodland Ave.) on March 12 & 19, 2011 from 10 am to noon. Two field sessions at the Knife River, April 9 & 16, 2011. Equipment (if needed) will be provided. Participants will receive a certificate of participation and recognition at the LSSA Spring Banquet, April 16.

 Cost is only $25 and includes the banquet. For more information or to register contact Hartley Nature Center at 724-6735.  Together, teaching and encouraging youth to get outdoors and fish!

“Elements of Exposure: Images Made on a 10,000 Mile Journey” opens Friday, Feb. 11

"In the Heart of Mount Olympus" captured in Olympic NP

Duluth nature photographer Ryan Tischer opens an exhibit of new photographs at Washington Gallery on Friday, Feb. 11 from 6-8pm. His images are a compilation of new work created over the past year on travels through twenty states, covering over 10,000 miles by car.

Duluth extreme swim video

Basic photography workshop with veteran local instructor Dave Kohne

Basic Photography: Taking Great Outdoor Pictures

Hosted by the Duluth Photography Institute. Registration open all — you do not need to be a member of the DPI.

Instructor: David Kohne

Saturday, Feb. 26, 10am-4:30pm

Snow Safari Winter Recess Camp

Looking for something for your child to do during Duluth public schools winter recess?  Join MinnAqua, Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Lake Superior Zoo for three days of winter fun.  Go ice fishing with MinnAqua, explore life at the Aquarium, and try to survive like an animal at the Zoo.

$40 for members (includes LSZoo and GLA members) and $50 for non-members

For kids in grades 3-5.  Pre-registration is required!  Registration deadline: February 18

More information: contact Lindsay at 218-740-2027 or lbrandt @ glaquarium.org.

XC Ski Hartley!

The XC Ski trails in Hartley Park are in top shape — which makes now a great time to get to Hartley Park and Nature Center for some cross-country skiing. Bring your own equipment or rent ours. Wednesday night, Feb. 9, from 7-8:30 pm, join members of the Duluth XC Ski Club for an evening headlamp ski on Hartley’s trails. Warm beverages will be provided in the Nature Center. Families are invited!

Alpine ski referral

Looking to change up the ski scene a bit and am wondering what’s worth a 6-8 hour drive from Duluth?  Or with that limitation, should one stick with Lutsen or Giant’s Ridge?