The upper Midwest experienced a huge and powerful storm October 26 and 27, 2010 – with barometric pressures lower than previously recorded in Bigfork, of 28.21. The storm dropped trees and caused minor damage on the Gunflint Trail, including a short power outage. The North Shore of Lake Superior saw most of the extreme storm action, which includes wind speeds to 71 mph and wave heights up to 26.6 feet.

Grand Marais was the “place to be” for wave watching.

This photo was taken after the storm subsided somewhat.

More links to photos and videos:
Satellite image
Paul Sundberg photos
Video

Various amounts of precipitation in rain and snow, and everything in between accompanied this storm. The Gunflint Trail received about 4 inches of snow in the “snow belt” area from Hedstrom’s Lumber to the East Bearskin area. Other sections received between 1 to 3 inches of rain.

For all events in Cook County, Minnesota, go to DoNorthMN.com

First go the leaves, then the tamarack trees.

At some untraceable moment in time, all the deciduous trees lost their leaves this past week. Even as we shuffle through pathways covered with aspen and birch leaves, we still have plenty of color to soak up during these sunny October days.

Also known as larch trees, tamaracks can look rather unnatural come autumn. But the trees aren’t dying: they’re actually deciduous conifer trees. Each autumn, their needles turn golden and bright orange before falling to the ground. Next spring, each tree will have a frilly new set of bright green needles.

Tamarack Alley, the hiking path at Chik-Wauk which crosses a boggy lowland on the property is particularly stunning this time of year.

Every 10-20 years or so, the news media picks up the story of the longest bus ride in Minnesota.  The Gunflint Trail has held that honor for decades.  MPR reported it this morning:

On the Gunflint Trail, one of the longest bus rides to school

by Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio

Grand Marais, Minn. — Many parents probably think their child’s bus route is long. But most students probably don’t have a bus ride that comes anywhere close to that of Cook County in northeastern Minnesota.

Each morning, the school district there sends a bus up the entire length of the 50-mile Gunflint Trail to bring students to school in Grand Marais. It’s one of the longest routes in the state.

The bus driver, retired electrician Steve Carlson, begins his day before 5 a.m., warming up the No. 2 bus.

It’s a challenging trip.

The No. 2 bus is 8 feet wide and most of the lanes on the Gunflint Trail are 10 feet wide.

“There’s very little room for error,” Carlson said.

Read the entire story here.