I recently traveled around parts of North Dakota and had time to capture a few shots that I felt give a sense of the open spaces that exist in the western part of our country. One of these days I hope to spend time slowly exploring these wide open places under the big sky.
Today is Black Friday and once again I have chosen to #OptOutside. Minnesota State parks were open to the public with free admission today and I visited Jay Cooke State Park. It looks like I wasn’t the only one making tracks to the outdoors.
Over there, off to one side, another tree. Two trees, each watching the other, keeping the other company. One obviously older, having seen more, able to share with the other knowledge of the past. They both watch, as the man on the side of the road takes pictures before vanishing down the October Road.
There, beyond the crystal-like barrier, lies another reality. A place of pine forests and broad leaf trees. A place where one can walk on solid ground without fear of slipping silently in to the dark water. Make it to the trees, there lies safety along the October Road.
I had to travel some back roads in Wisconsin the other day and, of course, I had my camera bag with me. The further south one goes, the more fall color you’ll see. On this particular day, there was little if any breeze and the lakes and ponds were marvelously still. So, take a little trip down an October road with me. Oh yeah, if you’ve seen my work before, you know things might get interesting.
The Temperance River flows into Lake Superior. The clouds on the horizon warn of an incoming snow squall that will make driving interesting as I head back to Duluth.
At the end of the road is the boat launch, will have to return on a better day with a boat and fishing rod.
Another place along the road to where I am traveling this day. I try, as often as possible, to leave early so that I can stop and capture these moments and still arrive on time.
This time of year in Duluth, along the seven miles of sandbar on Lake Superior known as Park Point, wave action forms amazing ice formations that often have an alien feel to them. Each storm adds its contribution and the ice builds in layers outward from the beach. Depending on conditions, there will be piles of ice rising high above the water, ice caves and blowholes. Caution is advised when exploring these formations as the lake is always in motion and you never know when one of the chunks may break off or split. Also, the spaces between the heavier layers may have thinner ice.
Correction: I have mis-identified the Kettle River as the St. Croix River, sorry for any confusion.
The Kettle River is one of several scenic rivers in Minnesota. From it’s humble beginnings to where it meets up with the St. Croix River, it offers many miles of boating, fishing and hiking. The section of the river that runs through Banning State Park has peaceful, calm areas, as seen looking upriver from the access point. But, as the signs warns, up ahead are challenging rapids.
