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.

Mountain lion?

I think Frankie was exploring is inner mountain lion.

I think the humidity is making the photo this color

Crazy spider web (update)

I don't know of this web has been here a while bit I just saw it today. It might be I caught the sun light at just the right time.

This spider web was gone the next day. Then a few days a later another web was woven and I got to see the spider. It is a big one.

Uptown hotel project

There has been a need for a hotel in my neighborhood, Uptown, for a long time. Previous attempts have failed due to cost, location or recession. The latest attempt is actually underway....at the top of my street!

Graves Hospitality got approval from the City Planning Commission for a six-story tall building that will contain a Marriott Moxy branded hotel. Their first proposal was for nine stories! That did not sit well with the neighborhood. They seemed to have the six-story version ready in their back pocket.

There was only one small property one of the two lots. The hotel building will take up the entire two lots and will not have parking. The existing building went down in a matter of a couple hours.

Click Here for a picture of the proposed hotel.

Fantastic lightning show

Last night there was a fantastic lightning show south of Minneapolis. The moon was just past full and the sky was partially cloudy. I stopped at  Lake Calhoun to take some photos and a short video.

Backyard...flora and fauna

I know I shouldn't let Frankie go outside. He doesn't always stay in the yard but he really loves being out doors even though all he does is mostly sleep.

This has been my most successful planting in the fish. The two pink colors are almost an exact match. The cascading plant has been blooming all the time. The other plant, an African daisy, took a break but is now blooming again.

Homemade applesauce -- yummy

Lots of apples have been falling off the tree. Most of these are too small to do anything with. A lot are kind of a mess inside. But there are enough to do something with. I was able to make a good amount of applesauce. Fresh made applesauce is so delicious. I added a tiny bit of maple syrup, too.

The food mill that I got at Kitchen Window last year makes the whole process so much easier.