Secrets of the City

The “cart-in” campsites at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park are awesome, but very hard to get, as there is only about 20 in the park. Combines the ease of “car camping” with great scenery and a lot more privacy.

Also, the camping at Wisconsin’s Big Bay State Park in great — it is located on Madeline Island in the Abostle Islands chain. Highly recommended — it has a great beach and some very nice hiking trails.

Bear Head State Park is amazing. I spent many weeks of my childhood there with awesome memories.

I hope to make it back this summer.

A nice little getaway is Frontenac State Park just outside Red Wing. Low-key, got some nice walk-in sites. You can hike down to Lake Pepin. But it’s not really a “lake park” per se though.

A nice little getaway is Frontenac State Park just outside Red Wing. Low-key, got some nice walk-in sites. You can hike down to Lake Pepin. But it’s not really a “lake park” per se though.

My favorite place, around here at least, is Willow River in WI. It’s right across the border, a little south of Interstate, has really cool campsites and unlike MN, you can enjoy adult beverages while camping!

I don’t think the Minnesota parks actually enforce the adult beverages rule.

I’m a big fan of Tettegouche. The Superior Hiking Trail is amazing.

I 2nd Tettegouche. The walk-in / cart-in camping is fantastic and the trails can’t be beat.

I don’t think the Minnesota parks actually enforce the adult beverages rule.

I wish they didn’t, but I’ve had our beer confiscated by a ranger at Sibley. He was not happy and told us to be glad he didn’t cite us. Maybe some rangers are more leniant(sp) than others.

The cart-in sites at Split Rock are indeed tough to get. You have to reserve months in advance, and even then, when you arrive it’s first-come, first-serve amongst those who have reserved a spot. But it’s SO WORTH IT. If you can, get cart-in site #1. It’s the site furthest from any of the others, in a little dugout right on the edge of a cliff with a KILLER view of the Lighthouse. If you climb up to the edge and walk a little ways, someone built a crude little bench there, that faces the Lighthouse and lake. AMAZING. We go every year.

Over the decades, Tettegouche has gotten more and more choked with loud, disrespectful families with small children that run wild, drunken party gladiators, and RVs. It feels like a fucking Dane County trailer park in Wisconsin on summer weekends these days. Avoid, if you’re looking for a nice, quiet, civilized camping experience for adults.

I also highly recommend screwing the State parks and heading to the BWCA, preferably Quetico area, for some real camping.

“I also highly recommend screwing the State parks and heading to the BWCA, preferably Quetico area, for some real camping. “

Can we use a GPSr to get there?

State Parks are based on car-camping.

To me car camping is a joke.

The only real nature experience I am aware of in this state is the BWCAW, Voyageurs Park, Isle Royal, Superior Hiking Trail.

Car-camping is just not my thing.

There was a general conscensious at the Bulldog that you’re a bit of a joke, too, vlad.

See what happens when you don’t go to meetups? We talk about you!

Don’t forget Alie’s secret blog where she talks shit about everyone on MNSpeak!

There was a general conscensious at the Bulldog that you’re a bit of a joke, too, vlad.

Damn, I missed that part? Serves me right for taking my job seriously, and working late.

Vlado’s carbon-neutral, though.

That covers a multitude of sins, or so it seems.

Yes, he does have that going for him.

The only real nature experience I am aware of in this state is the BWCAW, Voyageurs Park, Isle Royal, Superior Hiking Trail.

I consider any time you are surrounded by nature a “nature experience.” So if I go to the Eliose Butler park, I’m having a “nature experience.” Why do you have to be so extreme?

And I hope I’m not considered a joke. Though I would be honored to be spoken about my MNSpeakers, even if it was bad. That’s psudo-fame in my book.

I love Jay Cooke State Park.

It’s covers several miles where the St.Louis Rives decends into Lake Superior and it looks like kind of like the Badlands. There’s a ton of great hiking that includes a trail system and giant granite out croppings.

To me car camping is a joke

It must be a long bike ride up to the BWCA.

The Rat burned through his allotment of carbon emissions for the year in the last three weeks.

A guy’s gotta earn a living.

JACC- you can’t cheat and ride a bike. He must walk all the way there.

kc! – I’ve only ever said nice things about you. I like stealing your recipes. I also agree with you that any time spent outdoors enjoying the things around you is considered a nature experience.

Biking with a canoe on your back is more difficult than it looks. Even more so when you take into effect the wind.

I hope everyone thinks I’m a joke too. Because the alternative is much much worse.

Thanks mb.

kc! – I’ve only ever said nice things about you.

except when she’s guest posting on alie’s secret blog where she talks shit about MNSpeakers.

@wayno

why are you so angry lately?

Because it’s bicycle season again.

hahaha
no, it’s because some things in my life were going pretty horribly.
it’s partially better, still looking to fix the other big problem.

I was just very surly and angry at the world for the last couple months.

bike season will, if anything, cheer me up.
also I think I might spend my STIMULUS PACKAGE on a playstation and GTA IV so I can take all my agression out that way. Too bad they don’t have bicycles in this one.

I was born with a stimulus package.

well my package tends to stimulate, but it won’t buy me grand theft auto.

@ Bixby – Ha!!

also I think I might spend my STIMULUS PACKAGE on a playstation and GTA IV

That’s playing right into the Republican’s hands, wayno.

Car camping may be a joke, but good luck pulling off a BWCA trip with 11 other people in one month. I’ll take what I can get.

Re: booze enforcement, my experience of St. Croix was that they didn’t care so much. One couple was warned for letting their dog off-leash, but that was about all. Good to know about Willow River in WI, though!

Frontenac and Jay Cooke are both great ideas, and they might even be doable from the Cities. When I lived in DC I’d go to Great Falls Nat’l Park (VA side) all the time and it would immediately remind me of the water ‘neath the bridge at Jay Cooke. I wonder how quickly those* group sites fill up…

your mom is a stimulus package.

and she’s cheaper.

(and no, I’m not sure what any of that means)

Any camping that doesn’t involve digging a shelter out of mud and dressing in suits made from bearskin isn’t real camping.

That’s not camping, that’s just creepy.

Shelter? Suits?

You city folk are all alike with your swanky mud huts and fancy bearskin coverins’.

Any camping that doesn’t involve digging a shelter out of mud and dressing in suits made from bearskin isn’t real camping.

This coming from a man who wears kicky chapeaus and jet-packs on his camping trips.

When I go backpacking, I bring a little espresso machine.

Great gadget.

What about Interstate State Park, by Taylors Falls? I’ve only been there once briefly, to put in for a canoe day trip down the river, but it seemed pretty nice.

At least I kill my own bear.

Rat, please post link. I’d love to get one of those camping espresso machines.

I guess it’s not so much a machine, because it’s not mechanical.

Real camping is a bunch of men wearing only bearskin loincloths.

I’ve seen those before, Rat. You can find them at all the better camping stores.

JACC, it’s one of those espresso pots that you heat on the stove, kind of like a percolator.

I only camp if there’s a shower house available and I don’t have to tote in my own water.

JACC:

You can get them at REI. Think they’re about $20 – $30.

There’s a hole in our roof, is that camping?

I’ve actually gone real camping before and co-lead a camping trip for orientation at our school. I’m done camping from here on out.

Real camping is a bunch of men wearing only bearskin loincloths.

Keep talking…

It’s not camping unless the event ends with someone receiving the blood eagle. I usually set my beard on fire. And I clean my wounds with my own urine.

I don’t think that went the direction that mb was hoping for.

Some women get turned on by viking camping.

This kid in my dorm passed out in the courtyard outside the dorm, is that camping? He might have peed on himself too, if that helps.

The thing with Interstate is that it’s not so much a good overnight place. Wonderful for rock climbing but not so much for hiking miles of paths, swimming around, or roasting s’mores. I see that they technically do have camping, but only 6 miles of trails (4 of which are under construction).

I am into urban camping

I guess some people call it “being homeless”

but it was fun.

Some women get turned on by viking camping.

It’s called tailgating, sparbs. And we only get turned on if a giant grill that required it’s own trailer is involved.

Some women get turned on by Techno Viking. Some men, too.

Blood eagles for everyone!

And we only get turned on if a giant grill that required it’s own trailer is involved.

Well, I do like meat.

The thing with Interstate is that it’s not so much a good overnight place. Wonderful for rock climbing but not so much for hiking miles of paths, swimming around, or roasting s’mores. I see that they technically do have camping, but only 6 miles of trails (4 of which are under construction).

Like I said, I was only there for a short time before we launched.

My favorite song dealing with Vikings and camping (by a formerly local guy, too!)

Car camping may be a joke, but good luck pulling off a BWCA trip with 11 other people in one month. I’ll take what I can get.

Uhh the max group size in BWCAW is 9.

And yes going into nature with many people is bound to cause problems. Small groups are way better.

Yeah, I am yearning to go to meetups so that I can be insulted in person as opposed to through the internet.

The reason I don’t like state parks is that they are too small.

The idea of a good trip for me is hiking for at least four days. That is pretty much impossible at most state parks unless you plan to go in circles.

That said, yeah a lot of them have beautiful nature, etc. and would make a good single-day or weekend trip.

As for biking to the BWCAW, I have considered it. There is a special canoe trailer I can buy for my bike. Would be a blast, only problem being it would be difficult to secure sufficient vacation time.

I called you carbon-neutral, Vlado.

Aren’t I a nice guy?

After working at summer camps from junior high through college, I can safely say that I NEVER want to canoe again. Nothing worse than a 12 year old girl trying to paddle across the lake with 50 pounds of gear while I attempt to steer and do the paddleing of 2 people.

My idea of great camping is a tent, a case of beer, and a shower house within sight.

Aren’t I a nice guy?

You seem more like an annoying old man, but that is just my opinion.

Yeah, I am yearning to go to meetups so that I can be insulted in person as opposed to through the internet.

You’ll find that people tend to be a lot more civil — and fun — in person, vlad, even me. Give it a try before you judge. The Rat came to my meetup at the 331 in December — you’re welcome to join us anytime.

Need to get one of these:

We did a three-night backpack through Itasca State Park once. Lotta room back in there. Camped and fished in De Soto Lake. It was so loud at night with birds, it was amazing.

My idea of great camping is a tent, a case of beer, and a shower house within sight.

That does sound good. Throw in a blood eagling, and I’m in.

First evar MNSpeak camping trip?

If anyone is interested in contributing to the state’s hiking infrastructure I recommend attending a trail-building event for the Superior Hiking trail.

There are several this summer. I will be at at least 2 of them.

Throw in a blood eagling, and I’m in.

If Max and Teucer wear loin clothes I’m in too.

vlad- we’re too passive aggressive to be mean in person. except me of course, but that’s only when drinking whiskey.

vlad…take it back. bob may be old and annoying, but calling him a man is not cool.

Can’t do enough for some people.

I’m in for an MNspeak camping trip. I demand wolves and loons, however.

that’s easy. we have plenty of wolves and loons on MNSpeak.

What about rats?

Seriously, it would be kick ass…I’m thinking bacon smores and a series of shocker pics.

I don’t mind the rats if I don’t have to touch it’s tail.

SNAP.

I would shock the f*ck out of Mother Nature. She wouldn’t know what hit her.

mmmm… bacon over an open fire

It’s quite amazing to meet MNspeakers in person. You’d think we’d get to arguing about whose beer is better or why liberal cheeseburgers are tastier than conservative burgers, but it rarely seems to happen.

I’d like to say that I was the first to utter the word “vagina” out loud (I’m assuming grote was the first to think it). I’m guessing I beat out mb by just a few seconds.

Well, I think someone needs to step up to the plate and plan the first evar MnSpeak camping trip.

I would be happy to share trail mix with The Rat, not A Rat.

Grote: It is my heartfelt wish to witness a war between the wolves and the loons, when the wolves launch a sneaky amphibious assault about the psychopompotic waterfowl. Wolves and loons are sworn to enmity.

Wait, I thought we were doing the first evar MNSpeak road trip(s) to the ends of 90, 94, and 35 first?

I would be willing to help plan a trip. I’m not taking it on alone though.

about? on. Bleah.

Bixby: I think those road trips would require more than a long weekend, and my holiday time this year is booked already.

It’s quite amazing to meet MNspeakers in person. You’d think we’d get to arguing about whose beer is better or why liberal cheeseburgers are tastier than conservative burgers, but it rarely seems to happen.

That’s exactly what happened while you were in the bathroom.

I’m getting into this camping idea. I’ll help plan…if by helping you mean buying the hershey bars and bacon.

I’ll be responsible for the blood eagling.

We need someone crafty to make the loin cloths.

Let’s talk more about camping tomorrow at the pantless happy hour.

Nate- you should have heard the sh*t mnblrmkr was writing about you after you left… wow

I say we camp at Fitgers in Duluth. It has everything that’s needed for a great camping trip; Lake Superior, bars, restaurants etc.

Bixby: I think those road trips would require more than a long weekend, and my holiday time this year is booked already.

Do you know what state Duluth is in?

Well, I did sew a life size sock monkey. I guess I could sew a life size loin cloth or two.

I like this Duluth idea…

Jinx, Bix.

Seriously, you don’t even know how excited I am about this idea…I think I just peed a little.

Now you can clean your wounds!

…I think I just peed a little.
Just leave it there and drink a shot of whiskey. That’s camping training.

Let’s talk about The Pantless Party In My Buildling right now.

What’s up with that?

*sock monkey costume

Me too alie. I hope Max has a camouflage smoking jacket…

Pantless sake, 4:30pm tomorrow, at the Japanese place? Afterwards, Lutefisk Sushi?

That’s totally not a jinx because we didn’t say the same thing.

I’ll wear the tiger suit my grandma made me.
And the cape.

vlad…take it back. bob may be old and annoying, but calling him a man is not cool.

Vlad was talking to The Rat, grote, but that doesn’t mean everything you just said about me isn’t true.

I AM an experience camper — with or without car.

William O’Brian SP? Close enough to the metro to be there in a hour or two, far enough in the sticks to enjoy the camping. Paved bike trails for the two-wheers, nice fishing for the anglers, showers with hot water, as I recall (it’s been a few years).

Nate- you should have heard the sh*t mnblrmkr was writing about you after you left… wow

That cuts. That cuts deep.

What the Fish is Lutefisk Sushi?

What about rats?

Warfarin.

You’re not the sole arbitor of jinx.

“Do you know what state Duluth is in?”

Well, it’s been seriously underfunded since the collapse of the domestic taconite market, not to mention the mining out of the higher grades of ore. Even though a steady shipping revenue remains a significant source of local income, Duluth has seen better days.

Doing a post about Lutefisk Sushi later this afternoon, so I can leave it up tomorrow.

Could you give some details now so I can figure out if I can/want to do it?

@JACC

I know I’m not but it’s right there in Robert’s Rules of Jinx.

There you go, Bix. It’s excellent and you should go.

4.30 is optimistic.

How late will folk be there? I can be there by 5.30pm.

Lutefisk Sushi?

Wrong on so many levels.

Teucer – no way I can get there before 5:45-6:00pm. Screw them if they leave early. You and me will enjoy our own little pantless party.

I’ll be there at about the same time as Oliver, wearing my standard going out uniform…I need someone to buy me some new threads…

dang, bob…wish I had known. My intention was, true statement or not, just to needle you. If I had directed it at Rat, it would have been sincere.

Well, the Sushi reception runs until 10pm, so I’ll definately kick around the pantsless bar for a little while.

Nate- you should have heard the sh*t mnblrmkr was writing about you after you left… wow

That cuts. That cuts deep.

Wait, what? I’m HoH, not mute. It must have been the waitress.

I was assuming you also had a secret blog where you talk smack about MnSpeakers.

wearing my standard going out uniform…I need someone to buy me some new threads..

You and me both sister. Maybe I’ll whip up some type of loin cloth / dress combo for us too.

I DO have semi-secret blog.

Camping sounds fun. My summer schedule though, is completely standing on quicksand for the next 4 weeks.

Where is this magic pantsless bar you speak of? I will be there, sans pants, until it’s time to leave for my concert.

I went pantless to a bar on N. Washington Avenue several years ago. Left such and impression that they renamed it…I assume you’ve heard of “Stand Up Franks”

*groan*

mnblrmkr, I was thinking this might happen in early July? Less chance of rain and before the skeeters get too bad.

What concert are you off to, Lesley?

Teucer, I’m performing in the Twin Cities’ Women’s Choir “Divas and Desserts” concert. Alas, it’s sold out otherwise I’d extend an invitation.

Early July might be about the worst time for me, Alie, but I won’t know until the end of this month at the earliest.

SO why isn’t it raining yet? If it doesn’t start soon, I’m going to have to insist that Jason give Mike Fairborn a wet willie or something. Because I opted onot to bike to work this morning (in spite of the nice sunny skies and warm temps) due to the forecast for thundershowers today.

Lesley: Oh cool… What will y’all be singing?

It isn’t raining because we lost the magic pixie that makes the weather for us.

Yes, I mean Paul Douglas. Look at him and tell me he’s not an elven changling.

Sven is WAY more pixieish than PD.

They’re ALL magical fairies.

EXCEPT for Dave Dahl.

PD looks kinda like a better looking Dennis Kucinich.

Lake Maria in Monticello is hike-in lakeside camping with horse trails. I went with a doctor-collegist and it was still fun. Not far from the city physically, but a nice compromise between so-called “car camping” and unnecessary roughage.

Sven is WAY more pixieish than PD.

Sven reminds me of Xandir P. Whifflebottom.

The Nexrad Radar Map™ shows nothing in the area. My karma (I biked today) is winning this round!

I’m (car) camping at Eagle Point Park in Cumberland WI on July 12th. Showers are available and they have a nice park by the lake with a diving board. I promise neither Paul Douglas nor Dennis Kucinich will be there.

It is awfully dark out here in EP…

Anyone ever camped at Minneopa State Park? We used to go there occasionally for the day when I was in college.

I too biked and just got home after leaving early in order to beat the rain.

Me 1 God 0

Here’s the deal… I’ll start the research on camping locations. Email me your suggestions and I’ll get a list going. Once we get an idea of who is really interested, I’ll start the process through email of getting dates identified.

mb21@live.com

Dave Dahl’s a stud. Check out his gigantic hands. He rides a Harley, too, which I find very funny. Some nights he does the weather and I think he’s really fuckin’ bored with his job.

mnblrmkr, are you going to post your notes from yesterday? I was telling a friend about the awesomeness of your notes from the bacon outing and she said “He should start a blog!” I told he we’d tried to make you create the Things I Didn’t Hear blog… whatever happened to that plan?

Anyway, feel free to post yesterday’s notes.

Oh, and I can to to Musashi around 5:00, maybe a bit earlier. Sugar (from bacon night) is probably coming too.

Dave Dahl’s a stud. Check out his gigantic hands.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet DD in a couple of social settings. I’ll say this… the man likes his Wranglers TIGHT.

Here’s the deal… I’ll start the research on camping locations. Email me your suggestions and I’ll get a list going.

Some place indoors with cable tv.

Why do you think they’re called “Wranglers”?

So naive, MB.

Indoors? Cable TV? This is crazy talk.

I demand mosquitoes the size of dinner plates and ticks that put face-hugging aliens to shame.

For those of us that haven’t been to a meetup… please explain how the process with the notes works. Does mnblrmkr indicate that he didn’t hear something, then someone who did hear writes him a note? So they are other people’s notes to mnblrmkr?

mnblrmkr, are you going to post your notes from yesterday? I was telling a friend about the awesomeness of your notes from the bacon outing and she said “He should start a blog!” I told he we’d tried to make you create the Things I Didn’t Hear blog… whatever happened to that plan?

Anyway, feel free to post yesterday’s notes.

That’s my semi-secret blog I mentioned above. I did set it up, to reserve the name. I just haven’t changed the settings to public yet, since I haven’t had time to add much yet.

I am getting there, my mind has just been preoccupied this last month.

Miller- we usually try to outline conversations he can’t hear due to surrounding noise. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) it usually turns to smut talk. The Baconalia in particular took a rather dirty turn.

I, of course, was completely innocent in the whole thing.

For those of us that haven’t been to a meetup… please explain how the process with the notes works. Does mnblrmkr indicate that he didn’t hear something, then someone who did hear writes him a note? So they are other people’s notes to mnblrmkr?

yep, that’s it. Helps me to at least know what’s up with the conversation.

I’ve also been thinking of including some other stuff.

Eagle Point sounds like a nice spot! I’ll check that one out.

I had a friend who worked at Minneopa–good mix of prairie and forest for hiking, the windmill is cool, and the water was in a shady spot so you could cool down all the better.

Maybe someone has access to a cabin so we can camp and Bix can stay indoors?

A few miles this side of Two Harbors is a place called Barthells. The end cabin, Breakers, has a huge private lot, two bedrooms, kitchen, pull out bed for a couch. etc.

Here’s some pics

It’s close to rugged, convenience, and it’s along the scenic highway. There are two other rental cabins on the site, but only one of them has a yard for tents.

mnblmkr take your time on the ol’ blog, but I look forward to the notes. I document all sorts of things so your mini-notebooks are great little snapshots of an evening, and I would assume of a visit to the DMV, car repair shop, etc.

Camping: have fun, see you when you get back! I only like the food and the campfire.

JACC- that place looks pretty sweet. I’ll put it on the list!

A few miles this side of Two Harbors is a place called Barthells.

Oh, that’s not camping!

Rat- I agree, but to start the list I think all suggestions will be counted. Besides it would be nice to find a place that will let us tentin’ folks have our space and the city kids have a roof over their heads if needed.

In the end, all that matters is that we have a pan for the bacon.

Oh, that’s not camping!

True, but it’s a short drive from several campsites. One of them bing Gooseberry Falls, which I can’t believe wasn’t mentioned yet in this thread.

Also, those cabins are about 130 a night if I recall and two of the three could hold several tents.

I need to know if there is an all adult campsite any wear in MN, SD, ND or WI I want to go with a couple and my boyfriend but we like to party and stay up at night.