On weekend trip to Sioux Falls, SD, Laura and I wanted to do a bit of rock climbing. We drove a few miles north of town to Palisades State Park, which is located near Garretson, SD. I'd heard of the park in the past as it is known for it's Earthcaches within the park that highlight the sioux quartzite spires and cliffs, but I wasn't prepared for how gorgeous this area really is. This park is now on our shortlist of camping destinations.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Entrance to Palisades State Park Entrance to Palisades State Park	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Historical information sign Historical information sign	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Looking downstream at Split Rock Creek Looking downstream at Split Rock Creek
2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD The King's Spire The King's Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD The King's Spire The King's Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Laura as we're headed to the spires Laura as we're headed to the spires
2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD The Queens Spire The Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD A look downstream atop the Queens Spire A look downstream atop the Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD A look downstream atop the Queens Spire A look downstream atop the Queens Spire
2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Laura atop the Queens Spire Laura atop the Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Bart atop the Queens Spire Bart atop the Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Bart and Laura atop the Queens Spire Bart and Laura atop the Queens Spire

On weekend trip to Sioux Falls, SD, Laura and I decided to explore the Cathedral of St. Joseph. The Cathedral is an unbelievable example of architecture and I am in awe at what was accomplished at the turn of the 20th century. Built in 1919, this Roman Catholic marvel is the center of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. I regret that we were not able to attend Sunday mass to hear the sweet Kilgen pipe organ.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD	2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD

I passed through the town of Spring Grove, MN, a couple of years ago and discovered the row of cabooses as you enter town from the east. I was disappointed that I had not had my camera along for the ride. During the 2013 spring turkey hunt in Caledonia, MN, I knew Spring Grove was just a short eight miles down the road. This time I came prepared. I suspect that the cabooses are privately owned as they appear on the lot of an industrial site. Searching Google doesn't reveal much of anything about these beauties.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - The Cabooses of Spring Grove, MN	2013 - The Cabooses of Spring Grove, MN	2013 - The Cabooses of Spring Grove, MN
2013 - The Cabooses of Spring Grove, MN	2013 - The Cabooses of Spring Grove, MN	2013 - The Cabooses of Spring Grove, MN

Sunday April 21st, 2013, Molly celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. She celebrated this wonderful day at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation	2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation	2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation
2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation	2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation	2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation
2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation	2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation	2013 - Molly Celebrates Confirmation

Our family volunteered this evening at Feed My Starving Children. The five of us and Kelly provided an hour of our time to assemble MannaPacks which are bound for the African nation Burkina Faso. Our entire shift packed 91 boxes of MannaPacks, which can allegedly feed 54 children for an entire year.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Feed My Starving Children An empty packing kitchen An empty packing kitchen	2013 - Feed My Starving Children Bart, Anna and Laura packing MannaPacks Bart, Anna and Laura packing MannaPacks	2013 - Feed My Starving Children Nene, Anna and Laura packing MannaPacks Nene, Anna and Laura packing MannaPacks
2013 - Feed My Starving Children Molly volunteered for warehouse duty Molly volunteered for warehouse duty	2013 - Feed My Starving Children Nene and Kelly taking a break Nene and Kelly taking a break	2013 - Feed My Starving Children Molly taking a break Molly taking a break
2013 - Feed My Starving Children The vegetable blend, made in China :-( The vegetable blend, made in China :-(	2013 - Feed My Starving Children The flavoring and vitamins, made in Minnesota :-) The flavoring and vitamins, made in Minnesota :-)	2013 - Feed My Starving Children The rice, farmed and bagged in the United States The rice, farmed and bagged in the United States

On the way home from work today my 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe crossed the quarter of a million mark at 250,000 miles. I bought the Tahoe December 9th, 2004 when it had 47,440 miles. Since then, my ride has taken me safely on well over 200,000 miles.

This truck has been to three provinces of Canada (Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec). It has traveled the entire Great River Road from Lake Itasca to Venice Louisiana. It's driven the beaches of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has off-roaded the mountains of Vermont, Montana, Washington and Oregon.  It has off-roaded the arid lands of Texas. It's climbed both the Rocky and Appalachian Mountain ranges, driven through various flooded zones in Minnesota and Illinois, and has even been ferried across the Puget Sound of Washington and to the pirate territory of the Outer Banks.

I've meticulously cared for the Tahoe over the years. Outside of a couple of power steering pumps and sensor failures, very little has failed on this vehicle. The only body repair ever done on the Tahoe was following an accident where I was rear-ended by a motorcycle and perhaps a damaged running board or two from off-roading mishaps.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Off-roading in the Black Hills Battle Mountain, SD, June 2006 Off-roading in the Black Hills Battle Mountain, SD, June 2006	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Snowshoeing to Alvin's Phone Line Orr, MN, January 2008 Snowshoeing to Alvin's Phone Line Orr, MN, January 2008	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Beach driving False Cape State Park Virginia Beach, VA, July 2008 Beach driving False Cape State Park Virginia Beach, VA, July 2008
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Zippel Bay State Park Warroad, MN, August 2008 Zippel Bay State Park Warroad, MN, August 2008	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Canoeing the Cannon River Cannon Falls, MN, September 2008 Canoeing the Cannon River Cannon Falls, MN, September 2008	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Following motorcycle collision Rosemount, MN, October 2008 Following motorcycle collision Rosemount, MN, October 2008
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Snowshoeing to the island on Shields Lake Faribault, MN, February 2009 Snowshoeing to the island on Shields Lake Faribault, MN, February 2009	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Tree climbing with a ladder in Rice County Faribault, MN, March 2009 Tree climbing with a ladder in Rice County Faribault, MN, March 2009	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Driving flooded highway Pelican Rapids, MN, May 2009 Driving flooded highway Pelican Rapids, MN, May 2009
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Exploring the Penturen Church Roseau, MN, May 2009 Exploring the Penturen Church Roseau, MN, May 2009	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Retrieving coffin geocache from Dakota County Sheriff impound Hastings, MN, June 2009 Retrieving coffin geocache from Dakota County Sheriff impound Hastings, MN, June 2009	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Road-cruising to New Orleans Galesburg, IL, July 2009 Road-cruising to New Orleans Galesburg, IL, July 2009
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Atop Mount Washington, elevation 6288' Jackson, NH, July 2010 Atop Mount Washington, elevation 6288' Jackson, NH, July 2010	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Preston, MN, October 2010 Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Preston, MN, October 2010	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles 200,000 miles Apple Valley, MN, February 2011 200,000 miles Apple Valley, MN, February 2011
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Bear Head Lake State Park Ely, MN, August 2011 Bear Head Lake State Park Ely, MN, August 2011	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Interstate State Park Taylors Falls, MN, October 2011 Interstate State Park Taylors Falls, MN, October 2011	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Some serious off-roading Knoxville, IA, April 2012 Some serious off-roading Knoxville, IA, April 2012
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Honey Creek State Park Moravia, IA, April 2012 Honey Creek State Park Moravia, IA, April 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles McCarthy Beach State Park Chisolm, MN, May 2012 McCarthy Beach State Park Chisolm, MN, May 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Hueston Woods State Park Oxford, OH, June 2012 Hueston Woods State Park Oxford, OH, June 2012
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Byllesby Lake Regional Park Cannon Falls, MN, June 2012 Byllesby Lake Regional Park Cannon Falls, MN, June 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Hiking to the top of Mount Margaret Snoqualmie, WA, July 2012 Hiking to the top of Mount Margaret Snoqualmie, WA, July 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles On the ferry across the Puget Sound Port Angeles, WA, July 2012 On the ferry across the Puget Sound Port Angeles, WA, July 2012
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Beach driving at Pacific Ocean Ocean Park, WA, July 2012 Beach driving at Pacific Ocean Ocean Park, WA, July 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Off-roading in the mountains Portland, OR, July 2012 Off-roading in the mountains Portland, OR, July 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Mountain driving Garden City, UT, July 2012 Mountain driving Garden City, UT, July 2012
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Off-roading on the open prairie Union Center, SD, July 2012 Off-roading on the open prairie Union Center, SD, July 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Bemidji State Park Bemidji, MN, August 2012 Bemidji State Park Bemidji, MN, August 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Zippel Bay State Park Warroad, MN, August 2012 Zippel Bay State Park Warroad, MN, August 2012
2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Split Rock Creek State Park Pipestone, MN, September 2012 Split Rock Creek State Park Pipestone, MN, September 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Tettegouche State Park Silver Bay, MN, October 2012 Tettegouche State Park Silver Bay, MN, October 2012	2013 - Quarter of a Million Miles Quarter of a million miles Minneapolis, MN, January 2013 Quarter of a million miles Minneapolis, MN, January 2013

Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) by bflentje

There seems to be some difficulty in finding this geocache. Here are spoilers to aid in scoring the find. But please keep in mind, using spoilers for a 3/5 rated geocache could be embarrassing if your friends find out. So use this with discretion. It should be noted that the reservoir has been drained down for the winter. The normal waterline is three feet higher than shown.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) A distant view of Bart at ground zero A distant view of Bart at ground zero	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) The geocache is hidden within this sea cave The geocache is hidden within this sea cave	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) The geocache can be found to the left The geocache can be found to the left
2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) Take a left, it's on the right side of the cave wall Take a left, it's on the right side of the cave wall	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) The geocache is hidden about chest high The geocache is hidden about chest high	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) A matchstick container with an attached wire A matchstick container with an attached wire

Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) by bflentje

There seems to be some difficulty in finding this geocache. Here are spoilers to aid in scoring the find. But please keep in mind, using spoilers for a 4/5 rated geocache could be embarrassing if your friends find out. So use this with discretion. It should be noted that the reservoir has been drained down for the winter. The normal waterline is three feet higher than shown.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) A distant look at ground zero A distant look at ground zero	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden within the smaller sea cave to the right Hidden within the smaller sea cave to the right	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave
2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden about face high on the left side of cave wall Hidden about face high on the left side of cave wall	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Match stick container on a lanyard Match stick container on a lanyard

Today our family did Sunday Brunch with Santa at the Roasted Pear. The food was good but the company of family was even better. Merry Christmas to all.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Breakfast With Santa	2012 - Breakfast With Santa	2012 - Breakfast With Santa
2012 - Breakfast With Santa	2012 - Breakfast With Santa	2012 - Breakfast With Santa

2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN

 

 

Hanging over the St. Louis River in the state forest near Cloquet, MN, there's a 1" steel highline conecting the two river banks. No one knows why it's there. No one knows when it was built. Even the MN DNR is not sure of its history.

Mounted aboard the carriage that rides the line is a geocache named Highline (GC3EHXK) by EskoClimber. Today, in an attempt to practice safety in numbers, we held a geocaching meet-and-greet event in order to complete the 4.5/5 rated geocache. About twenty of us gathered for the The Great Geocaching Circus - A Highline Adventure (GC4023F) and while I was the defacto chosen one to ride the wire, I think it is safe to say that all of the event attendees had a great time.

In order to ride the wire out to the carriage, I had built a zipline trolley out of 1/4" plate steel. Two plates were held in place with four 1/2" bolts. Two steel idler pulleys were mounted between the plates using 1/2" class 8 bolts serving as a shaft. The idea is that for safety, the trolley gets mounted onto the wire. Therefore, if any single piece failed, the entire trolley should stay mounted on the wire. The device worked more or less as planned. Though, one small design change would have significantly lessened the amount of work required.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Hiking the .3 mile to the highline Hiking the .3 mile to the highline	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the highline and carriage A view of the highline and carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the highline and carriage A view of the highline and carriage
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Our group was organizing the approach Our group was organizing the approach	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Wow, the wire is higher than I expected Wow, the wire is higher than I expected	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing to the launch platform Climbing to the launch platform
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing to the launch platform Climbing to the launch platform	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Doublemoose was instrumental in setup of the trolley Doublemoose was instrumental in setup of the trolley	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Configuring the trolley for the ideal ride Configuring the trolley for the ideal ride
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Taking in the audience as we mount the trolley Taking in the audience as we mount the trolley	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Configuring the trolley for a safe ride Configuring the trolley for a safe ride	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Anxiety is starting to set in Anxiety is starting to set in
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Feeling anxious and the adrenaline is flowing, I almost gave up Feeling anxious and the adrenaline is flowing, I almost gave up	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Taking that first step was the toughest Taking that first step was the toughest	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN I think she'll hold, double redundancy safety lines I think she'll hold, double redundancy safety lines
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Too far to turn back now Too far to turn back now	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A minor flaw in the trolley caused more work than planned A minor flaw in the trolley caused more work than planned	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Working the wire Working the wire
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Headed down to the carriage over the river Headed down to the carriage over the river	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Working the wire Working the wire	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN More effort than planned and taking a rest More effort than planned and taking a rest
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN One last break before attempting to climb into the carriage One last break before attempting to climb into the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing into the carriage Climbing into the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing into the carriage Climbing into the carriage
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN My heart is racing.. I made it My heart is racing.. I made it	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Connecting the line to the carriage Connecting the line to the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN The crowd is pulling me back The crowd is pulling me back
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN I am being pulled back by our geocaching friends I am being pulled back by our geocaching friends	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Almost back to the launch platform Almost back to the launch platform	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Still anxious but I am almost there Still anxious but I am almost there
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mission accomplished Mission accomplished	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Geocaching mom was relieved that I survived Geocaching mom was relieved that I survived	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Now mom wants to go for a ride Now mom wants to go for a ride
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) getting shoved off Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) getting shoved off	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) going for a ride Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) going for a ride	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mom made it back to safety too Mom made it back to safety too
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN I decided I wanted a ride I decided I wanted a ride	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN On my way out riding the carriage On my way out riding the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN On my way out riding the carriage On my way out riding the carriage
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN On my way out riding the carriage On my way out riding the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the St. Louis River looking east A view of the St. Louis River looking east	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the St. Louis River looking west A view of the St. Louis River looking west
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view from the carriage looking back A view from the carriage looking back	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Being pulled in by the crowd Being pulled in by the crowd	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Being pulled in by the crowd Being pulled in by the crowd
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN That's all she wrote That's all she wrote	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN The carriage heading back to its resting place The carriage heading back to its resting place	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN The carriage in its resting place The carriage in its resting place