North Shore Camping - Temperance River State Park

Lake Superior at Temperance River State Park

Made a short camping trip (Monday-Wednesday) with friends up the North Shore of Lake Superior to Temperance River State Park. With fire and drought conditions, we weren't sure what to expect but we ended up with beautiful weather and a much cooler time than the heat and humidity of the Twin Cities.

Click here for short video montage.

There were some milky skies from wildfire smoke but not so bad that we felt it. Not good star observing but a near full moon made up for the lack of starry nights.

Temperance River State Park camping facilities are nice with showers, bathrooms, vault toilets, and a dish washing station. The upper campsite is very close to Highway 61 with truck noise which rules out a return stay for me. I don't need that kind of man-made noise while I am camping.

Temperance River

On the other hand, the hike along the Temperance River gorge is amazing. There are waterfalls that rush through narrow passages. The well-maintained hiking path is fantastic with viewing spots along this dramatic stretch of northern Minnesota.

We went to Coho Cafe in Tofte three times! (secret treat - they have ice cream!)

The highlight of the trip for me was the near full moon reflecting off an incredibly still Lake Superior. The smoky sky made for an orangy-yellow moon creating a stunning effect in the sky and on the water.

Palm Springs - pre-birthday trip

View from Bud's backyard.

Quick post just to list out some of the adventures (and relaxing) in Palm Springs for a few days before my birthday. I stayed with my friend, Bud, who is snow-birding again this year in Palm Springs. Video here.

For my birthday we went to a new (6 months) restaurant, Ash and Vine. It is housed in a bungalow on La Plaza. The food and service were special.

Our first hiking adventure was to Anza-Borrega State Park, California's largest state park and about 1 1/2 hrs south of Palm Springs. The park is west of the Salton Sea.

Our destination was Maidenhair Falls Trail which starts at Hellhole Canyon Trailhead. We had like 3 different map apps which all had different trailhead locations. So you know, the trailhead is just out of the town of Borrego Springs (it isn't 3 miles out or 6 miles out).

Before you get to Borrego Springs, the drive takes you through the Badlands which is reminiscent of the South Dakota Badlands and worth the photo-op.

The trail to Maidenhair Falls is well marked for the most part until you get closer to the falls then you end up scrambling over boulders and around cacti but nothing too strenuous. But the "falls" -- oh boy. With all the recent rains, I was hoping for water falls though the name gives away the supposed real attraction - maidenhair ferns. There wasn't much of either - water or ferns. 😆In fact, you have to nearly crawl under overbrush to get to the cliff face (and Bud opted not to).

The hike to the "falls" and back is 5 miles or so. We enjoyed perfect temps and I am always amazed that there are oases with palm and deciduous trees. It was also very green for being in a desert.

We stopped in Borrego Springs after the hike for a meal and peruse a very interesting Fredericks Ancient & Ethnic Art gallery.

On the return drive to Palm Springs, we saw a hot air balloon that really looked like it was going to land on the highway or possibly a parking lot. For the longest time it was just stationary in the sky and not very high up. As we got closer, the igniters were turned on to try to get some elevation but didn't seem to work. No idea where it finally landed.

For another birthday dinner, we went to The Purple Room, a supposed rat pack hangout. It was very old school, very entertaining, and very Palm Spring.

On my departure day, we went to the popular Murray Canyon on the Agua Caliente Reservation. The palm trees are crazy tall. We took the Victor Loop that goes up above the canyon for dramatic views of Palm Springs and the surrounding mountains. Along this trail, we did encounter a big horn sheep. 

Video link here.

Up North - Cabin, Super Full Beaver Moon, and Maggie

Jenny, Maggie, and I went up to Jenny and Andrew's cabin on Gust Lake in Cook County to close it up for the winter, to see the super full beaver moon, and to look for moose. Click here to watch the video montage.

The super full beaver moon did not disappoint. There were some clouds but they only added to the effect. The "beaver" designation is from indigenous people describing this season's full moon used by beavers to finalize their lodges for the winter.

On Thursday we hiked the Daniels Lake Trail from Clearwater Lodge to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We made it to the BWCA after all!

The trail starts off very wet and marshy but becomes clear and dry and arrives at Daniels Lake in about 2 miles. We saw LOTS of moose tracks but no moose ☹️

Daniels Lake

East Bearskin Lodge's Instagram account had mentioned that 2 moose were around the lodge so on the way back down the Gunflint Trail, we stopped to explore. The US Forest Service was conducting a prescribed burn right next to the lodge, so we weren't too optimistic on seeing the moose. The lodge is closed for the season, but we asked someone cleaning up if they'd seen the moose. They had just seen the pair the day before. We drove around and around but still nothing!

We went into Grand Marais on Friday for some shopping and lunch. All this time, Maggie enjoyed exploring the cabin and its famous "catwalk."

Dave, a Gust Lake neighbor, introduced a very friendly fox to us before he left for the winter.

We all enjoyed the wood-burning stove (which kept the cabin very cozy). We ate well, played cards, and read books. It was a lovely break from the city.

Click to view the video montage.

Another spell in Palm Springs

Had a few days free so went to Palm Springs again (2nd trip this year!). Stayed with my friend, Bud, who is renting a beautiful home in Palm Springs.

The full park.

We went to Joshua Tree National Park on Thursday. It is less than an hour's drive from Palm Springs. There are lots of Joshua "Trees" but what really is the draw are the incredible rock formations.

We stuck to the northern portion of the park where the "trees" are. We did drive to Keys View to take in the expansiveness. You can see the San Andreas fault where it splits into 2 trenches. You can also see the Salton Sea in the far distance. Apparently, you can see Mexico, too. 😉

Video of the Joshua Tree adventure is here. Best viewed in landscape. This one is short.

On Friday we went to Mecca, California which is east of Palm Springs -- California takes a big angle down this far. I had read about the Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon Trails. These are 2 trails maintained by a local hiking club that are inside a Bureau of Land Management area.

These were two conjoined hikes in geology that is difficult to describe. The Ladder Canyon Trail requires a series of ladders (we went in the up direction) to navigate through very narrow slit canyons. Once you reach the top, you hike along the ridge until you descend quickly into a very wide Painted Canyon.

Both hikes are a kind of endless series of "what-the" and "oh-my" and "that's crazy" things to see and absorb.

Entrance into the trailheads for
Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon.

The Painted Canyon hike does have a brief section of rope and ladder but if you were to start at the beginning you could just hike to there and return. It is spectacular.

The Ladder and Painted Canyon Trails video is here. Best viewed in landscape. This one 7 1/2 minutes because there was so much to see. It also includes the drive getting to the start of the hikes. There are some really good videos on YouTube on how to get to the trail head.

Other things we did before I left on Sunday:

• saw a very funny production of Avenue Q at Revolution Stage Company
• had a kinda wild time at PS Air Bar after Avenue Q
• had dinner with friends Bob and Dianne who are also spending the winter in Palm Springs
• played pickleball 2x with "the boys"
• lounged in the hot tub
• I went for a run!

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

It was a balmy day for December in the low 20's so I visited a new park for me, St. Croix Bluffs. If there had been more snow on the trails, my regular hiking boots would not have been adequate. I was glad I packed the handwarmers, too. Taking photos meant removing my gloves and my hands (fingers) really cannot handle the cold.

Here are a few of the photos. To get to the St. Croix River meant going down-down-down which the park's name would have given you a clue. And hiking down means you have to hike back up. It was a good workout.

Lots of deer tracks and as you will see, beaver action. There were also lots of birds including song birds, woodpeckers and mallard ducks.

I got to walk on the frozen river. It is always exciting and a bit un-nerving walking out on a large body of frozen water.

This tree wasn't in the park. It was in a field but was so beautiful I had to stop to photo.

Hoarfrost on everything.

More hoarfrost.

Some serious beaver action.

The view down on the river.

I love symmetry and I love trees.

"THE LOOKOUT" I found this on my hike up from the river.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

It was such a beautiful November day on Saturday that I had to take advantage. So I drove north to visit and walk the paths of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

Known for the flocks of Sandhill cranes that migrate through in the Fall, the refuge also has Trumpeter swans, other migratory birds and more beavers than I have ever seen. Also oak savannahs, acres of prairie grasses and ponds and lakes with cattail and other marsh plants.

I easily saw a dozen beavers on three different ponds or lakes. Not just beaver activity but actual beavers. The beaver pond had 7-8 beavers with 5 small pups hanging out together and what could have been the biggest beaver I've ever seen.

Sunset selfie

Sunset colors

Moon rise over the beaver pond

White Sands, NM

I was planning to post photos of the New Mexico trip in chronological order but there are so many good photos of all our stops that I've decided to start with the highlight stop - White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo, NM.

You can find information about White Sands National Monument here. This is truly an enchanting place.

Sunset 

Even plants can live here. 

Little animal tracks 

sunset

Beautiful patterns 

We made it back from 5 mile hike

Beautiful landscape

Middle of no where

It sparkles

North Shore Adventure

Jenny invited me to go with her to scout out some possible hiking trails along the Superior Hiking Trail. She is putting together a day trip for middle school students as part of a Project Success experiential learning curricula.

We were only able to get in one full hike. We did the Split Rock River trail...about 5 1/2 mile hike up one side of the river then back to Highway 61 via Lake Superior overlooks.

We left Minneapolis at 6:00am and arrived in Two Harbors to talk to the Superior Hiking Trail staff at 9:30 just as we planned. We made it to Split Rock River trail head by around 10:30.

It was a beautiful day for a hike. This trail has some steep and narrow sections especially on the up-the-river side. The hike back on the opposite side of the river is actually easier though it is higher up.

The views along the way both out and back are spectacular. The coolest sites are of the "split rock" itself and the views of Lake Superior on the return leg.

selfie at the trail head

the "split rock"

crazy bridge to cross the river

the "split rock" from the other side of the river

birch forest

Lake Superior view

Click here for more photos.