Transitioning from the end of August to the end of September. Leaving summer and entering Autumn was more than a month’s change. What was the present a month ago began a wonderful roller coaster ride (not literally) going from Ely to the Minnesota State Fair.
Every stop was a mixture of present and past.
Passing the loon sculpture sandwiched between Minneapolis and Saint Paul on the way to the fair was just the beginning of another brief Twin Cities landscape and people episode packed with memories and contrast to everyday life up north.
Then on through Wisconsin, a corner of Illinois and Indiana, across portions of Michigan twice, a ferry across the state line in Lake Michigan, and last weekend in Duluth before the Ely return. Go prepared to soak up every landscape, weekend, event, place, life significance, new discovery along with friends, former classmates, family, new encounter along the way.
The sunset on Highway 2 before crossing the Lake County/St. Louis County line was the welcome back to last 48-year home base of my 60 years since high school and entering college of my 78-year life to date. Just arrived on the Autumnal Equinox ready for Autumn driving into the Superior National Forest.
Although memories accumulate over the years, life began in a small town, and apart from a few years, continues to be rewarded by small town regions. This trip was a contrast between small towns in areas with landscapes of predominantly private land with patches of deciduous forest public land. Returning to the northern and eastern portions of Minnesota’s Arrowhead the “wild lands” wetlands and forests dominate the landscape and MANY designations – federal, state, county, townships etc. are public lands.
These welcome a wide range of use, interests and support for humans and other life forms.
Being part of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory fall raptor weekend upon returning just highlighted a Northeastern Minnesota return and led to National Public Land Day this weekend. Visitors, presenters, programs and celebrated the role of Hawk Ridge in Duluth, regionally, nationally and internationally.
While Ely was celebrating its landscape with its marathon, thoughts went to National Public Lands Day coming up as one of the next calendar celebrations on Saturday, Sept. 27.
People across the nation will be engaged in projects to support and show appreciation for public lands and those who manage them.
The Ely Field Naturalists are presenting a discussion this Thursday, September 25 about the NPLD and other upcoming activities and opportunities on public lands in Autumn.
On Saturday morning from 9:00 to noon at one of the most highly used public land locations, some volunteers will gather for a cleanup of the MN DNR Trails and Waterways public access on Shagawa Lake just east of Grand Ely Lodge.
Everyone who is interested is welcome to join remove litter and invasive species.
If you are a visitor or user of this or other small public spaces, you recognize the level of use they get and the importance in the care and conservation that maintains them.
Call 218-235-8078 if you have any questions and would like to join us. Be prepared to be outdoors enjoying autumn and wear suitable footwear and gloves to help. Trash bags will be provided. Pruning saws or loppers would be helpful. This site will be ready for the Big Sit Bird Count in October for other activities before winter.
