adventure by straying from the path
The story, behind the photo. “This is not what we trained for.” Mornings consisted of a.m. Ballet or Western Civilization classes. Afternoons were voice lessons, show choir, and nights of rehearsals or work-study shifts in the theatre. Rounding out the…
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A tale of kings and queens, cushions and streets. When the rush of day and traffic fades away, the raucous sound of traffic jams and near misses transitions into a new auditory treat. Sweet Night Sounds To Sleep To Shadows emerge…
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2021: A Year Worthy of Review The Year Of Firsts Whenever the next right word to write escapes me, my gaze turns out the east window. Snow and the red sheds of my parent’s farm greet me. In winter it is…
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Nobody talked. It had been this way for a couple of hours. Occasionally there might be a murmur, or accidental nervous laugh. Some couple trying to keep their spirits up. Useless It is impossible to know what we were all…
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How Too Much of a Good Thing, Isn’t So Good Photography is Everywhere I wanted to start this article by describing to you the power of photography. Through an experiment. Check this out. “Take a break from your screen. Look around…
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To save you sometime and give you some insight on how I go about winter activities, I can be your crazy friend. And you can ask me what I use. What you’ll notice is quite an eclectic collaboration of bits and bots.
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On this frigid day in January, I awoke in my vehicle not far from Split Rock State Park. It was dark as I poked my head out from my den of sleeping bags and blankets. There were two valid reasons for such a great darkness. One, was the fact that it was still predawn and all ambient light was low. The second, was that my car was covered with a thick layer of snow.
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Just like before, just like it had always been. I looked down at my ticket and read the words, “Norwegian Lutefisk and Meatball Buffet”. Stepping out of the vehicle and moving towards the church door felt very familiar.
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What is a ‘Great Gift’?
It’s complicated. But here is a good rule for you. It’s a great gift if you…
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If It’s This Easy, Why Wouldn’t You? This article is intended for all those who are hyper-adventurous, a little crazy, and have no idea where they might be on any particular holiday. So much so that you may even forget…
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Trust Me On This…It Can Get Better What it boils down to here is knowing what you hope to achieve and what your intention is. If you simply want to prove that you saw a certain type of wildlife and…
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The Story Behind The Photo All my research had pointed to the Gunflint Trail. “There is no mileage in photographing a bear with a long lens—it has been done before—it is hackneyed pulp.” David Yarrow After meeting David in Chicago,…
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But They’re Worth Holding On To I have always been a dreamer. A big picture, can-do person who yearns for adventure and unique conversation starters. “Oh, I see you have a castle?” Yup, building a castle is on that list.…
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Recently, a group of photographers I follow began sharing some photography preferences through a quick writing challenge. With a few simple this-or-that style questions, I learned a lot about them. And myself. Here are my thoughts… 1. Prime or Zoom…
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The Calendar I would like to introduce you to the 2023 Tanzania Photography Wall Calendar. This is The Spur Trail’s third annual art calendar. Within its pages you will find adventures from Serengeti safari, living with the Maasai, climbing mountains…
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I’m about to order new business cards and I’m curious. Do you become an artist the moment you believe yourself to be one? Is it a title offered to you after you have completed a degree or other institutional process that includes fancy paperwork and back pats?…
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Ten Actionable Actions Here’s where I struggle. What can I, a single person, do about Climate Change? I am going to give you a few, outside-the-box ideas, that can have an immediate impact. Plant a tree. I want to quote…
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How being a genuine guest, changed my life forever. Riding a train from Germany to Switzerland did little for my hangover. While my head was muddled, my heart was struggling. She had finally kissed me that morning, the first time. She would…
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A DIY maple syrup evaporator, to help you make sweet, sweet tree juice. And will it bring the taste of spring to your own table? I’m getting serious about syrup making. Like real serious. A cuppella’ buckets of sap and…
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The Art of Crafting Calendars In 2020 I went forward with a project to visit all of Minnesota’s State Parks and Recreation areas. Now I had a ton of photos but wondered, what do I do with them all? I…
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In 2020, I was quick to realize that I needed to stay cognizant of finding as many silver linings as possible. As events and job opportunities faded to closings and being rescheduled, the calendar actually opened up a little bit.…
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What Is A Norwegian Bunad? Simply put, the Norwegian Bunad is a folk costume based on traditional rural clothing and 20th-century folk costumes. But what makes the bunad so special? How come you don’t see them every day on the…
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Stay away from others. That seems to be the best advice I could give or receive in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. While I would encourage everyone to stay at home almost exclusively and limit their exposure from others, at…
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March is…an interesting time to be outside in Minnesota State Parks.
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Gotta Catch ‘Em All What Am I Doing? I have a photography/adventure project involving all of the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas. Let’s catch you up. Lake Louise State Park played host to large groups of rambunctious pre-teens for…
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In winter it is as if you get a fresh start every time it snows. A new story can be told, a narrative reworked if you didn’t like the way it came out the first time.
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The paths around Gooseberry Falls State Park were quiet though well-trafficked. With heavy snow falling, my tracks disappeared behind me. Not uncomfortable, it was just below freezing and I was fine with a single pair of socks. That’s a good thermometer.
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I’m going to go ahead on record and just say that any adventure that begins…
A: Outdoors
B: On snowshoes
C: Under the first Wolf Moon of a new decade
…is going to be a good one.
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What just happened? The story is the same, year after year. “I felt like the year had just begun and…now it’s over?” “Where did the time go?” “It goes faster the older you get. Trust me I know.” Thanks Dad.…
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I do not think I’m wrong when I say I know some of the busiest people on the planet. If you were to listen to the list of engagements they have going on during the week, your head would spin. …
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Truth in advertising, this post contains affiliate links. If you would like to support this blog and future posts/photography, you can do so by making your purchase though one of the following links. You have met enough people and read…
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Alternate Titles The Secret Loves Of Color She had just left me, parting ways to make our miles and heading in opposite directions. Instead of making an early, timely start, we conspired with sunrise for a photoshoot. Stepping out of…
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What is the nicotine of travel that no one ever talks about?
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This post contains affiliate links. To learn how these support The Spur Trail, you can find everything here. “The Perfect Carry-On Only Setup” “Seeking Perfection Through Luggage Selection” “How Much Can I Fit” Everyday Messenger V1 Review (This review has been…
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‘Part Two’ (We’re picking up where we left off, our adventurer trekking not only through the northern wilderness but also his troubled past. Ok not that troubled but it sounds dramatic right?) Four years ago the first .2 miles tuckered…
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A Harrowing Tale of Walking “So this is how it’s gonna be?!?” I thought to myself. I was no more than a few blocks from my starting point and had picked up what I thought was an auspicious find. That…
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Blowing By Quickly As always, the start of the next year leaves me scratching my head as to what happened to the previous one. Well here’s a post that will outline some (I know, just some) of what happened and…
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Before I wow you with bike tour tales, I’m gonna hit you with some backstory. Kapish? Back, that, story for me, back that story for me… In 2009 I got my first job out of college. I was a janitor…
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The great thing is, you just missed it. AND you can still go! I am going to be real honest with you here. Rarely do I go see live music. After last weekend in La Crosse, Wisconsin at the Mid…
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It Just Might Be I was on my second trip to the land of Lebanon. To answer your question, as is also asked by every single Lebanese; my brother and sister-in-law live here. Not only is it a unique and…
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You’re heading to Tanzania and you’ve heard of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, did you know there was another option? Just a stone’s throw away is Mount Meru…and you might just find it’s a better fit for you. Mount Meru Facts 70…
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There can be many, varied roadblocks when you start to think about yourself and traveling in the same context. Some walls are put up by others. Some you’ve put up yourself without realizing it. At the end of the…
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If I’ve learned one thing while traveling; it’s that even though as humans we’re all very different…we’re all very much the same. We all like to eat, we all want to be happy, and we all want to feel good. …
Read MoreIf It’s This Easy, Why Wouldn’t You? This article is intended for all those who are hyper-adventurous, a little crazy, and have no idea where they might be on any particular holiday. So much so that you may even forget…
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Remember that awesome mushroom book I bought on Day Two of the trip?
Yeah, after the night of infinite terror…
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Alternate Titles “Washington is a Waste of Time” The two days that best described our time in Washington were the first day in, and the last day out. Advice given to us by a former Highway 101 bike rider suggested,…
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A Canadian Start Talking about big ideas is easy. I do that a lot. Getting started is the tough part. I began this bike tour slowly, attending an evening workshop on bike touring, researched gear, took a couple of longer…
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How To Start An Adventure So I ticked the box next to something on my bucket list recently. An 1100 mile bike tour down the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Now, far too long after completing it, I shall tell…
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Why would anyone even want to do that? Minnesota is huge, it is the 12th largest state. It is approximately 360 miles wide and 407 miles tall. In order to see it all in just over a day…
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How do you afford to travel, how do you get there, and how do you pick where to go? My secret has ultimately been to…
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Sometimes I will have a free day sneak up on me and I just won’t know what to do with it. They are rare and usually a surprise via cancellation or change-of-plans. However, a few weeks ago, I found myself with a…
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Every summer in Minnesota, for an all too short amount of time, fairgrounds churn out an interesting mix of shaved ice, dust, and frivolity. Long conversations are had about the weather, how it is currently and how it was in years past. Bulls are ridden…
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Yes, it’s true. There are times where I’ll scoff at those who think that the camera in their phone is the next best thing and that’s all they need. Why bother carrying around something that takes up an extra pocket,…
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You hear that sound of hard, dry dirt on a steel shovel. Try to imagine the feeling of black soil working its way under your fingertips. Your hand gently spreads the earth over the precious seeds. It will harbor them…
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Yesterday I was fortunate to find myself with a little free time after work. It was a nice day, with the sun out and shining. Though forecasted, no rain had dared to show it’s face, so I wondered to myself…
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I’ve been to tons of weddings. Quite literally. If I were to weigh all the people at all the weddings I’ve been to, there would be tons of people trying to stand on that scale. I’m sure someone would get…
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Whether that’s the official mantra or not, when participating in Zumba, those are the words I live by. And believe me, the sweat comes easy enough. With beats that would move the hips of even the most uncoordinated and shy,…
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I’m only ten days in to my project dubbed “The Leap Year Chronicles” and it’s already managed to put me through a whirlwind of excessively creative bouts and depressingly unimaginative fits. If you have no idea what I’m talking about,…
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Eat Mo’ Piggy If you haven’t heard of Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que, you will soon. They are going forward on a project to put their name out there in a very big way. Just keep your eyes peeled to the sky…
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Yeah, I do. It almost sounds like a disease doesn’t it? Or some sort of infection. Perhaps an infestation. Comparable to bed bugs, crabs, or rabies? Don’t get me wrong, I like cats well enough. I just like dogs better. …
Read MoreIt’s ok; I can tell you’re a little bit skeptical about this claim. Alas, I have a feeling that it’s true. Just give me a second; I’ll do my best to prove this outrageous claim to you. It’s coming, in…
Read MoreWhat do I bring? Will I ever use this? What couldn’t I live without once I get away from the comforts of home? All these questions will be answered, in this must have list of items to take with you…
Read More“Sorry sir, we don’t have” “We just ran out. Maybe tomorrow.” A simple nod that said it all. “No.” Everywhere we went, the response was the same. Then they would point in another direction and tell me the store up…
Read MoreDepending on where you’re raised and your understanding of the world, you might wonder why things are the way they are once you’ve left your comfort zone. Take for example, myself. I was raised in rural Minnesota. Some might see…
Read MoreReliable internet is not what Nepal is known for. Nor should it be. But let that be my excuse for trying to jam an entire month’s worth of exploring into one simple blog. Each step is slightly harder than…
Read More“Can you please roll up your sleeves? We’ll do two in each arm. These could hurt a little. Wow, no blood. You might feel those tomorrow or later on…when I last got my flu shot all the sudden a couple…
Read MoreI could probably write you a mini-novel describing all the things that go into organizing a trip like this. Every aspect has to be looked at, from what shoes you’re going to wear to what shots will be needed to…
Read MoreYears had passed since we’d last seen each other. I find that strange to say, as I’m only twenty five. In the interim we had finished school and pursued varied careers and adventures. As many people now do, I would…
Read MoreLife is meant to be lived. Even if it means graduating from college but not moving into any particular career right away. Even if it means going against the wishes of your parents and ideas of your friends. Even if…
Read MoreLife just isn’t the same as it used to be. Kids could run and play in the yard and parents didn’t bat an eye thinking about them being picked up by crazies. If you just started flying commercially in the…
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(I’m too nostalgic to let all things old go, and this post is a great example of that. The interest in starting ‘The Spur Trail’ started way back in 2009, with a little website and a couple of blogs…
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The Story Behind The Photo All my research had pointed to the Gunflint Trail. “There is no mileage in photographing a bear with a long lens—it has been done before—it is hackneyed pulp.” David Yarrow After meeting David in Chicago,…
Read More
But They’re Worth Holding On To I have always been a dreamer. A big picture, can-do person who yearns for adventure and unique conversation starters. “Oh, I see you have a castle?” Yup, building a castle is on that list.…
Read More
Recently, a group of photographers I follow began sharing some photography preferences through a quick writing challenge. With a few simple this-or-that style questions, I learned a lot about them. And myself. Here are my thoughts… 1. Prime or Zoom…
Read More
I’m about to order new business cards and I’m curious. Do you become an artist the moment you believe yourself to be one? Is it a title offered to you after you have completed a degree or other institutional process that includes fancy paperwork and back pats?…
Read More
The story, behind the photo. “This is not what we trained for.” Mornings consisted of a.m. Ballet or Western Civilization classes. Afternoons were voice lessons, show choir, and nights of rehearsals or work-study shifts in the theatre. Rounding out the…
Read More
Ten Actionable Actions Here’s where I struggle. What can I, a single person, do about Climate Change? I am going to give you a few, outside-the-box ideas, that can have an immediate impact. Plant a tree. I want to quote…
Read More