Adventure North

The Mississippi mud is back after a long flood season. Fresh sand. Pickerel Lake Rent a yak at paddleshare.org There's an asphalt path under all that. - Ride North

I've been out on two wheels enjoying the winter weather. Commuting, as usual. I picked up some fenders and put them to work the past couple weeks. They are amazing, it's been sloppy, snow-covered-street riding for the first half of December but the temps were perfect (10-28F). With the fenders I was able to ride to work in my shoes with just some over pants, light coat, bacalava, and heavy gloves. And helmet of course. I'll have to put together a write up on winter biking soon. So far, it's the only time of year that I bike to work. because, you know, I have a motorcycle. I made the trek to DePere for the family Christmas party this year. It was great to see all the Steinhofers, my how the kids have grown! (I didn't say that out loud, at least not to the pre-teens and teenagers.) Some road worthy reporting: there was hoar frost covering all the land form St Paul to Wausau, even my six year old thought it was a beautiful winter wonderland. I love getting out and seei...

Got out for a quick 28 hours last Friday and Saturday. After work on Friday I rode down to Preston Minnesota to meet Todd and my dad at the Country Trails Inn & Suites. This is a great place to stay if you're in the Preston/ Lanesboro area. It has a pool and hot tub, and is conveniently located next to a bowling alley, liquor store, gas station, and supper club. The area is popular for its trout streams, turkey hunting, paved bicycle paths, camping, and motorcycle roads. Expect to run into all sorts of happy folks eager to share stories of their adventures.  After a beverage on the hotel “patio” we walked up the hill to the Branding Iron super club for old fashions and steak dinners. Neither the view nor the cocktails disappoint, and the food is good too. Afterwards, we stopped in at the bowling alley bar to check out the local scene. Turns out that WE were the local scene. After one round we called it an early night and pointed our boots back towards the hotel. the Branding Ir...

Photo essay   part 3: The lighthouses of Maine I should probably just call this Pemiquid point and two other lighthouses we found in Portland. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Bug Light, mouth of the Fore River more Pemaquid Point Two Lights State Park Cape Elezibeth Lighthouse, Two Lights State Park photo credit: Mrs North Mrs North by the sea more Pemaquid Point there's a theme here SCUBA the beach at Pemiquid Point Mrs North's contribution to the beach. The view from the light at Pemiquid Point Maine is truly the land of "that one little out-of-the-way, hole-in-the-wall, detour that led to something great." If you ever go, try not to plan too much. One maybe two concrete plans a day is a good pace. - Ride North