Adventures

June 30th 2021

I went to the horse track tonight. I haven't been to the races for many, many years. The number 4 horse on the video is Millard's Comet. I took the video tonight before her 6th race of the year. She was a 3 year old gray roan filly from Kentucky. This was her first year racing. These horses just disappear and I want to remember.

June 30th 2021

It was an incredibly beautiful night. The lean-to was perfect last night. For wet weather I would use the tarp in a plow point configuration. I took the kayak out on Lake Independence. There is a really neat playground w/zip lines and this cool net structure (picture).

June 29th 2021

I have the day off tomorrow so I am staying the night at Baker Park Reserve. It looks and feels old school like an old state or federal run campground. It is such a nice place. The weather is perfect so I am sleeping under the tarp. I brought and setup my swag tent, but it will not be needed. I have mesh to keep the bugs off when it is too warm to use a blanket. At night I usually just pull my wool blanket over my head.

June 27th 2021

I made another roof rack today so that I could leave one at the shack. I made this one out of 2X4s so that the kayak sits closer to the roof. I like it better than the bigger one. I fished Lake Ann tonight and caught some sunnies. Both my kayaks are set up great for fishing.

June 26th 2021

Amy and I took a walk in Edina tonight. We still find little gems all over the Twin Cities when we walk and ride bike.

June 25th 2021

Amy and I went to a movie/music in the park at the Harriet bandshell tonight. It was the music of Bob Dylan and Angry Birds II.

June 20th 2021

I made a reinforcement for my kayaks today. These pictures show the material and where the extra material is placed. It probably would not be a problem, but there is a thin spot at the bottom of the center storage area. I cut a piece of 1/4 inch plastic sheet to fit and used appropriate adhesive/sealer to adhere the new piece.

June 19th 2021

My main goal today was to pick up my new kayak in Crosslake and hit a few lakes on the way back to the shack. I brought my hardware and added some upgrades to the kayak before I put it in the water. The last picture is really cool to me because it marks one of the headwaters of the waterfowl refuge. The water is flowing from round lake directly into the wetlands. I also have a couple Camp Lake pictures in here.The last video is of my trek between Round Lake and the waterfowl refuge adjacent to the 40.

Outfit and Crosslake

Camp Lake

Refuge and Round Lake

June 18th 2021

I went to the woods after work today. I took a few pictures out at the shack.

June 17th 2021

I fished Staring Lake tonight. I caught a bunch of sunfish and this largemouth bass. I took a picture of this doe on the way home.

June 16th 2021

I had breakfast this morning with my father, sister, and niece. I took them to Fat Nat's Eggs. The place is awesome. On the way home I hit Wayzata Bay with the kayak. It was fun. Lots of nice homes. This old cabin is in the city park. I put the kayak on Lake Ann this evening.

June 14th 2021

I watched the sunset on Staring Lake tonight. I got some footage of a bald eagle and a family of ducks.

June 13th 2021

I kayaked on Lake Lotus in Chanhassen today. It is a nice lake and I had a great morning. I spent the afternoon at a Twins game with Amy and my parents.

June 12th Lake Staring 2021

I took my 13 year old dog for a kayak ride for the first time tonight. I don't think Ruby has ever been swimming a day in her life, but when I got way out in the lake she decided to jump off the kayak. She started swimming like she had been doing it her whole life. I guess that's why they call it the doggy paddle. Here's a shot of my wet outdoor dog.

June 12th Land 2021

I had so much fun today. I saw one of the largest garter snakes I have seen in the wild. I saw a pileated woodpecker(Woody Woodpecker) on the 40 today. They are so big. I have video of a bald eagle that kept circling me. I guess he was curious. Judging by some of the animal's behavior, I don't think they get many human visitors this far in the swamp. I had a doe on the land today, stamp on the ground and faint a charge three times. She was snorting loudly and acting quite aggressive as she was guarding her fawn. Lots of dragon flies kept the mosquitos way down. It was a great day.

June 11th 2021

I went to the shack after work tonight. It was a beautiful night with a lot of fireflies. The heavy tree canopy kept the ground very dark. I did some clearing with my grass cutter.

June 7th 2021

I received my kayak hardware from amazon tonight. I installed my rear facing rod holder. This is a flush mount holder that sits behind the seat and faces the rod rearward. I use this rod holder when I am paddling longer distances or leaving/entering the kayak. Tomorrow I will install the j hooks for the storage bungee and the zig zag anchor cleat. Here is a shot of my rigged kayak after fishing on Staring Lake tonight. What an awesome night. Every cast I caught a sunfish using worms.

June 6th 2021

I put the kayak in Red Rock Lake and Mitchell Lake today. I installed a Scotty rod holder and anchor for fishing. I have some more accessories coming tomorow.

June 4th/5th 2021

Amy and I went to Duluth this weekend. I picked up a Duluth Pack while I was there.

June 1st 2021

I put the kayak in Staring Lake tonight.

Land Map

DNR Map