Itasca State Park

On President's Day weekend in mid-February, Cristin and I spent the long weekend at Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River begins. Itasca SP is one of my favorite places, and I was excited to be there with Cristin, who had never been here. We stayed at a very modern condo in Itasca State Park.  The condo's are technically called the Douglas Lodge Six-plex. They were great!

The big news of the weekend is we got engaged at the Headwaters of the Mississippi R!

Due to the lack of snow in 2011-12 winter, we didn't even bring our X/C skis or snowshoes. We planned to hike. We arrived Friday evening and shortly after settling in at the condo, I was struck suddenly and dramatically by the seasonal flu, which really restricted my ability to hike very much for the entire weekend. On Saturday morning we went to the Visitor Center and Gift Shop and looked at the many displays on the history of the park and the epic search for the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Cristin walks across the Mississippi River at the exact spot it begins its 2550 mile journey to the Gulf Of Mexico! 

We then headed to the hallmark of the park, the Headwaters area.  I had planned to propose to Cristin here but I was so feverish and achy from the flu that it didn't seem like the right time.  Later that day,we hiked the Dr. Robert's Trail, a short but very scenic trail convenient to our cabin that I had never hiked. 

A New Timer enjoys the comforts at the Old Timer's Cabin

Lyendecker Lake, one of over 100 lakes at Itasca State Park

On Sunday we hiked to the state's alleged oldest and tallest tree, a red pine.  I was very disappointed that the tree died several years ago but the PR and advertizing only acknowledge that fact at the site of the tree itself.  I hate it when state park brochures, maps and historical markers lie! 

NOT the state's tallest tree!!

Cristin continued on for about a mile to see the state's tallest white pine.  

We walked on the road over the channel that connects Elk Lake and Lake Itasca.  This is a very historic location, as early Native Americans settled here.  Since Europeans discovered the area, there has much debate regarding the true head waters of the Mississippi. If Elk Lake flows into Lake Itasca, why isn't Elk Lake the headwaters of the Mississippi?  This is a very good question!  Many more intriguing questions exist related to these two lakes and their history.  Visit Lake Itasca State Park to experience the drama first hand!

History and intrigue abound!  

Cristin at our weekend's swanky HQ.  Cable TV included!

 When we departed on Monday AM, I asked Cristin if it was ok to stop briefly at the Headwaters again; that I really thought it was a special place.  Due to her good nature, Cristin agreed, not at all aware of my real motives for wanting to stop again: that engagement ring had been burning a hole in my pocket all weekend!      

Jack smiles in relief as Cristin demo's her new engagement ring!     

Trumpeter Swans in the Twin Cities

I discovered that Trumpeter Swans congregate most of the winter in Shoreview in the channel connecting Sucker Lake to Vadnais Lake, just south of Sucker Lake. These lakes are part of the water supply system for the City of St. Paul. Mississippi River water is captured in Fridley and routed thru a series of lakes.  The steady flow of water keeps the channel open in the winter and so it becomes a wildlife oasis.  A scenic trail circles Sucker Lake and goes right along side the channel. Normally in winter this is a groomed X/C ski trail but the lack of snow this winter favored hiking.  Click here for a google map that shows where to park and where to view the Trumpeters. It's only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot.

The Swans hold tight even with when accompanied by a predator;albeit a leashed one!

 

New Year's at Tettegouche Camp

The Trail Shelter at Tettegouche Camp

Tettegouche Camp is a unique destination located in the back country of Tettegouche State Park, on the north shore of Lake Superior.  Cristin and I celebrated New Year's Eve at one of 4 rustic, historic cabins; the location was formerly a sportman's club.  The camp is a 1.5 mile hike or ski from the trail head. You must carry in all your food, clothing, and gear.  The cabins have electricty, propane heat, a wood burning stove, a dorm fridge, a 2 burner stove top, and pots and pans. Water is available from an outdoor hand pump.  A modern shower building is shared by all the camp guests. As much split firewood as you require is provided complimentary. The camp is on scenic Mic Mac Lake and several excellent hiking and skiing trails intersect at the camp.  We stayed for 2 nights, departing on January 1, 2012.

A sled is a popular option for transporting
food and gear to the Camp.

Dusk falls on our trek in, revealing a crescent moon --
-- and it's only 4:30 P.M.!

Cabin B was our home for the weekend.

Scenic views of Lake Superior are the norm on the high ridges of the SHT.

The area had only a paltry 4 inches of snow, so we could not ski. On New Year's Eve day, we went for a 5 hour hike,  mainly on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT),  to the High Falls on the Baptism River. 

All smiles at the Drainpipe, a notoriously steep section of the SHT. 

The High Falls on the Baptism River - the highest falls entirely in Minnesota -  are an icy shroud.
 (The Pigeon River Falls are higher but are 1/2 in Canada)

The suspension bridge over the Baptism R.

Back at HQ, the view of Mic Mac Lake from our cabin's porch.

 That evening we celebrated New Year's Eve in the quiet comfort of our lakeside cabin in front of roaring fire, sipping wine from a box --  we were roughing it, after all!  We departed the next day but not before doing lots of chores and saying goodbye to a new friend. 

Why do chores at the cabin seem so fun?

Saying goodbye to my new friend!

Interpretive signs are not necessary for Cristin to appreciate
 this view of Tettegouche Lake on New Year's Day 2012.

Upon reaching the car, we headed back to the Park Office on Hwy 61 to return the cabin key.  The weather had turned blustery and gray, a common mood of Lake Superior.

Shades of gray dominate on 1/1/12.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Outdoor Adventures in the Washington D.C. Area

My extended Thanksgiving weekend had many outdoor adventures with Mick and his family.

A hike around Lake Royal, a neighborhood park, on a bright and sunny day-after Thanksgiving.
We brought the football almost everywhere we went!

Great Falls National Park on the Potomac R.

The Patowmack Canal around the Great Falls was inspired by George Washington
who envisioned a waterway connecting the East Coast to the Ohio River valley.   

The trail high above the river gorge below the Great Falls.

The Washington Monument is the perfect landmark to toss around a football,
as Christina plays catch with Maria and  Anders.

Anders stands tall at the Lincoln Memorial as an airplane lands
at Reagan International,  creating an interesting illusion.  

Part of the WWII Memorial on the capitol mall.

George Washigton slept here;  it's Mt. Vernon afterall!

The view of the Potomac R. from the front porch of the residence at Mt. Vernon,
 as Anders and Maria run just for the joy of it, as they often do where ever they go.

The headwaters of Pohick Creek, an intermittent stream in this area, is locally
 known as Anders Creek,which flows through the Gleason's backyard.
 Many adventures await!  

A game of two square at dusk.

The new house is looking good!

Sunset from the patio on my last evening in Virginia. 
Thanks for all the fun, Gleason family!

The Mick Brick

One of the highlights on my Thanksgiving weekend trip to the Washington D.C. area was the Search for the Mick Brick!  My brother Mick graduated a few years ago from The George Washington University, located in the heart of D.C., just 2 blocks from the White House.  As a reward for graduation, he purchased for a small fee a paver brick with his name carved into it.  He moved away from the D.C. area before he defended his dissertation and so he had never seen his brick but that status was about to change -- the hunt was on!

We arrived at campus and went to the court yard and immediately began to see hundreds and hundreds of named bricks.  Where was Mick's? They were arranged by year of graduation, but Mick was not certain in what year he technically graduated.

 

So many bricks!

George himself stands as sentinel over our noble quest for the Mick Brick!

Eureka! Mick and his Brick!

Christina and Maria make an etching of the hard-earned Brick.

The whole family celebrates The Brick! 
Very fitting since they all helped Mick earn it!

Congratulations, Mick and family!

   

Gleason Turkey Bowl 2011

On Thanksgiving day in Fairfax, Virginia  we played football at Oasis Field in Coffee Stadium, the home of the Robinson Rams, the school that both Christina and Anders attend. It is a 1/2 mile walk from the Gleason home.  Many touchdowns were scored as a result of great passes and impossible catches.

A perfect day for a Turkey Bowl!

Dad huddles up with the girls.

When Maria needed a break from the game, she would run a 1/4 mile lap
on the track that surrounds the football field.

The Gleason family has their game face on!

Maria did a triathlon:  football and  track at the stadium,
and biking to and from the game!

 

When we returned from the game, Anders attention
quickly turned to more important matters.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Fairfax, VA

I spent Thanksgiving in Fairfax, VA with my brother Mick, his wife Mette and their kids Christina, Anders, and Maria.  The day before Thanksgiving we went to Mt. Vernon.  Much to our surprise, the Presidential Turkey that had been pardoned earlier in the day by President Obama at the White House,  had just arrived  at Mt. Vernon by motorcade, to live its life in peace there, or so it thought.   

The Presidential Turkey just happened to be from Minnesota!

Here is the same turkey at Mt. Vernon.  Notice Mette peering over the fence. 
She is really checking out that turkey!!

Thanksgiving dinner, what great company!
Notice the turkey platter between Mick and Mette. 
Thanks President Obama!