Category: USA

Full Circle

Temperance River, the start and end of our loop hike today. Gitchee-Gami State Trail, SHT spur then main trail; distant views of sun reflecting off Lake Superior through leafless birch forests.

Lake Agnes and Beyond

Hiked one of our favorite sections of the Superior Hiking Trail, which includes Lake Agnes (shown here), its size partly due to a beaver dam. Later, we paused for a GORP lunch (a more complex mix than the original “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts”) at a familiar viewpoint overlooking a wide valley, the Poplar River, and Lake Superior beyond.

Lutsen Loop

We’re staying at Lutsen Mountains, a ski resort waiting for snow. Today we climbed up to one of the lift stations, passing idle snow-making machines. We then followed a Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) spur then the main SHT trail, completing a 5-hour loop. Along the way, Dwight caught me off guard on a rocky, root-filled section of trail. The looming rocks above didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Split Rock River Hike

Walked part of the Superior Hiking Trail that follows the Split Rock River as an in-and-out hike. We passed the split rock, several waterfalls, and rapids. The trail is described as moderately challenging, but a gentle pace made it quite relaxing.

Following the Blazes

Hiked part of the Superior Hiking Trail above Duluth before checking in to a hotel for the night. The trail was sometimes obscured by fallen leaves, but blaze marks on the trees—blue for the main trail, white for spurs—kept us on track.

Signs of Fall

It felt brisk this morning as I set off for my walk. Passing the university’s steam plant, I could hear its gentle roar as it warmed much of the Minneapolis campus and generated 20% of its electricity. Changing leaves were another sure sign that fall had arrived.

Day Dream

From the 3rd Avenue Bridge, the Mississippi and the Falls looked rather trippy today. The reflected sunlight was purplish above the Falls and earthy below. Weeks of drought had calmed the water; the whirlpools I’d seen earlier in the summer were gone. I used a slow shutter on my phone and cropped, but no other… Continue reading Day Dream

View from Washington Avenue Bridge

Near the end of my cycle ride, I paused on this double-decker bridge which connects two campuses of the University of Minnesota. The upper deck features dedicated bike lanes, an enclosed walkway, and a pedestrian path. The lower deck accommodates light rail and regular traffic. The unmistakeably Frank Gehry-designed Weisman Art Museum, sometimes my haven… Continue reading View from Washington Avenue Bridge

View from Plymouth Avenue Bridge

At roughly the midpoint of our Sunday walk, we cross the Mississippi River on the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, enjoying the downstream view towards Downtown. The distinctive Boom Island ‘Lighthouse’ is an addition to the park, built in 1987 by the Minneapolis Park Board.