Posting this in multiple sections as my bandwidth wouldn't allow me to post more pictures.
The goal of the Aspen Removal was to create a more open landscape like this Oak Savannah seen below.
I'd love to go back in the future and see if our hard work paid off!
So far in August we spent the first 8 days of the month working in the Superior National Forest.
We were working somewhere around the X on the Flathorn Gegoka Ski Trails near Isabella, MN. The work involved clearing out the brush, cutting down trees likely to fall across the trail, and widening the ski trail in general. The trails were very scenic and I hope to get back again sometime to ski.
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| Jeff cleaning up some of the Brush |
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| A boggy section of the ski trails |
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| Bear tracks! |
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| A couple of pitcher plants, a carnivorous (they eat insects) plant which grows in bogs. |
Our camping arrangement was real nice as well. We were camped out on Flathorn Lake which is undeveloped and scenic.
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| Flathorn Lake at dusk |
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| Another of Flathorn |
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| Flathorn on a misty and calm morning. |
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| A visitor to our campsite. |
Another nice thing about our week was that we were able to make a side trip after work to Tettegouche State Park. Tettegouche offers very scenic views of the Baptism River and Lake Superior. The North Shore of Superior is one of my favorite places in MN so this was real nice.
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| Baptism River |
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| High Falls on the Baptism River |
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| Cliffs next to the High Falls |
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| Two Step Falls a little further downstream |
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| An interesting bridge crossing the Baptism River |
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| Lake Superior |
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| Looking the other direction |
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| The area I swam in Superior |
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| A very typical Pebble "Beach" on Superior |
While on Superior I jumped in for my first swim in this lake. Superior is notoriously cold and it lived up to its reputation on my swim. After maybe five minutes in the water my legs were numb! It was very refreshing though and I can cross swimming in it off my bucket list!
The highlight for my life outside of work during July and August was the family reunion we had in July. We spent the reunion in Paw Paw, Michigan on small lake about 30 minutes to the east of Lake Michigan. It was really incredible to see my family and catch up. Every reunion is always bittersweet as it is great to see everyone again but it is so sad to part. Hopefully the next one is sooner than later. Since this blog is focused on nature and such I will illustrate my experience of the trip with that in mind!
The area we were staying in was hit by a major windstorm the Monday before we arrived. This was very evident with all the blowdown in the area.
The lake we were on was very developed but there was still some scenic beauty left to it. I was surprised to see a few Muskrats swimming around the lake.
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| The lake at dusk |
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| Nightime view of the lake from our dock. |
Getting to visit Lake Michigan was my favorite part of the trip in terms of natural beauty. Lake Michigan was much cooler (temp wise) and way more scenic. The part we were on, in Van Buren State Park, had beautiful sand dunes hugging the lake.
On a walk on the beach I found a scenic river flowing into Lake Michigan.
Overall the family reunion was fabulous! Lots of great conversation, lots of time spent in the water, and some great beauty as well. Here are a few favorites of my family.
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| Dan helping John with his line |
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| Most of the family milling about after our big family picture |
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| Pete trying to catch some Dinner |
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| One of the more creative gifts from the gift exchange! |
Outside of the family reunion I've spent a lot of my free time biking, swimming, and just generally enjoying the beautiful summer days which Northern Minnesota offers.
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| Taking a break on a scenic road south of Bemidji |
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| An immature Bald Eagle seen off the Paul Bunyan Trail on the east side of Lake Bemidji |
My schedule seems much more "normal" for the rest of the month so I hope to update on a more regular basis. Leave comments if you like!
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