Jelly roll… and I’m not talking about the singer.

This Week in Geek (1/16/23–1/22/23)

This week, commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Powderhorn Park, celebrate 60 years of Doctor Who at CONsole Room, check out the "Counting Moons" installation exploring the Dakota calendar at Fort Snelling State Park, and more!

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, January 16, to Sunday, January 22. (Jump to In-Person Events) Virtual Events Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night What: Trivia When: Monday, January 16, at 8:00 p.m. Where: Virtual via Twitch Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s online trivia night. Prove…

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Fort Snelling State Park MN 

A Portal, Fort Snelling State Park, Minnesota 8.18.23

Went on a hike around Fort Snelling National Park (and picked up a yearly parking pass while at it—many state parks to see in MN!). I started practicing druidry about a year ago now, with Beltane being my anniversary, and so this has been the first winter/early spring where I’ve actively noticed or looked for the first hints at the coming of spring. Minnesota has winter six months outta the year, so maybe that makes it easier to notice the changes, or else I’m just more anxious to find them. Only hints of the undergrowth and grasses reviving can be found. But a personally lesser-seen beauty is the flowering of the trees. Above are some buds I found and harvested on my hike, from left to right:

American elm, Silver maple, Boxelder, and Quaking aspen

at Fort Snelling State Park https://www.instagram.com/p/CiNaqPYLyePOKX-Su6eMgzs4S1ZpIb7DrRnlT00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Graffiti along the Mississippi River on film.

White-breasted Nuthatch (via USFWSmidwest)

White-breasted nuthatches have been busy making frequent trips to bird feeders - storing food for the winter!

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS.

Squirrel and mushroom I have one more photo to share from our trip to Fort Snelling State Park. This is one that I'm really proud of.

The youth from DeRty Beginning Youth Mentoring Program were the young men and women aligned with The Circle of Peace Movement.  Ayesha is the group mentor and leader. She brought together our team, all equipped with their new boots from REI.  It seems that everyone found their #footwear to their liking except Ayesha.  She is going to attempt one more trial before considering a change of boots.Initially, before today’s hike, there were objections to the use of trekking poles.  However, after today I believe we have several converts.  Patrick Eagan Park was the ideal walking trail to initiate the group.  We hiked two and a half miles on somewhat challenging terrain.I was overly impressed with everyone’s endurance.  It could not have been a more perfect day for our maiden voyage.  There was a host of learning exposure to the wonders of nature.The team learned the habits of mallard ducks, male and female, and their calls, blue jay, and their calls.  We saw tree cancers, including ash borer disease.  We walked through the deciduous and conifer forest segments.Elijah explored the wonder of grey birch, and he was able to feel the bark of white birch, giving him an understanding of how Native Americans were able to make canoes from the white birch bark.We walked around McCarthy Lake twice, which assured us of our two and one-half miles.  We began and ended our excursion in words of prayer.We also saw and heard a #piliatedwoodpecker, a #bluebird.Our next walk will be along the Mendota, Minnesota/ Fort Snelling State Park Trail, and we are scheduling it tentatively for midweek next week.We talked about the historical significance of the town of Mendota.  The fur-trading discussion was all new information for everyone.  We also discussed the history behind Fort Snelling and The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising 38 Dakota men were hanged at Mankato.  We will see not only the wonders of the Minnesota River hiking trail, but we will learn more about State history next week.

This Week in Geek (10/31/22–11/6/22)

This week, see Broadway's Six: The Musical at the Ordway, learn about the human brain at the Bell Museum, sketch the beautiful outdoors at Fort Snelling State Park, and more!

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, October 31, to Sunday, November 6. (Jump to In-Person Events)   Virtual Events Kid Koala: Music to Draw To What: Music, Meetup When: Monday, October 31, at 7:00 p.m. Where: Virtual via Crowdcast This free virtual version of the long-standing event series in Montreal provides a…

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The youth from DeRty Beginning Youth Mentoring Program were the young men and women aligned with The Circle of Peace Movement.  Ayesha is the group mentor and leader. She brought together our team, all equipped with their new boots from REI.  It seems that everyone found their #footwear to their liking except Ayesha.  She is going to attempt one more trial before considering a change of boots. Initially, before today’s hike, there were objections to the use of trekking poles.  However, after today I believe we have several converts.  Patrick Eagan Park was the ideal walking trail to initiate the group.  We hiked two and a half miles on somewhat challenging terrain. I was overly impressed with everyone’s endurance.  It could not have been a more perfect day for our maiden voyage.  There was a host of learning exposure to the wonders of nature. The team learned the habits of mallard ducks, male and female, and their calls, blue jay, and their calls.  We saw tree cancers, including ash borer disease.   We walked through the deciduous and conifer forest segments. Elijah explored the wonder of grey birch, and he was able to feel the bark of white birch, giving him an understanding of how Native Americans were able to make canoes from the white birch bark. We walked around McCarthy Lake twice, which assured us of our two and one-half miles.  We began and ended our excursion in words of prayer. We also saw and heard a #piliatedwoodpecker, a #bluebird. Our next walk will be along the Mendota, Minnesota/ Fort Snelling State Park Trail, and we are scheduling it tentatively for midweek next week. We talked about the historical significance of the town of Mendota.  The fur-trading discussion was all new information for everyone.  We also discussed the history behind Fort Snelling and The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising 38 Dakota men were hanged at Mankato.  We will see not only the wonders of the Minnesota River hiking trail, but we will learn more about State history next week.

Fort Snelling State Park MN 

Steven Zimmerman Fort Snelling State Park 2018

More river riding. (at Fort Snelling State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBrCHR5FyHx/?igshid=vvtgxlzhrle7