It's Later Than You Think...

Why do all Alaskan cruises include a visit to Canada?

2011-12-07T06:52:00.004-06:00

I get asked this question from time to time. This is about the best explanation of the Jones Act aka the "Merchant Marine Act of 1920" that I've found. This answer comes from Alan Fox of www.vacationstogo.com, a great web site for researching cruise options and itineraries.

Quote:

Q: I am interested in an Alaska cruise. I am wondering if there are any cruises that don't stop in Canada. I want to find a cruise that leaves Seattle and goes to Alaska so that I don't have to get a visa for Canada (only non-US citizens need this visa).

A: All cruise ships departing from Seattle or San Francisco for Alaska are foreign-built. According to the Jones Act, foreign-built cruise ships are prohibited from sailing itineraries that are wholly within the U.S., requiring such ships to make at least one stop in a foreign port. For Alaska cruises, that foreign port call is almost always in British Columbia, Canada. The only foreign-built ship sailing wholly within the U.S. is Norwegian's Pride of America, which was granted an exemption to the Jones Act by Congress. The Pride of America sails in Hawaii.

Unquote

Note: Norwegian's "Pride of America" mentioned above is the only Hawaiian cruise you can take that doesn't involve a long detour to a remote island to satisfy the Jones Act. It stays in Hawaii the entire time of your cruise. This exemption was granted when NCL agreed to buy the unfinished hull from a failed American shipbuilding venture and float the unfinished hull to Norway for completion.

Saving for Retirement

2011-11-09T12:33:00.001-06:00

Are you one of the lucky duckies with a guaranteed pension just waiting for you to get old? Probably not. Most likely you’ve been working for years and putting your own money away for retirement. And there is nothing more boring than the 401k and IRA statements that you get in the mail or online periodically. But you really need to become friendly with your retirement accounts. Can you answer these questions about something you’ve probably poured a large percentage of your hard-earned dollars into?

How much money is in my account? Where is the money invested? Is my money working for me, increasing in value over time? Am I receiving any matching contributions from my employer? Are fees being subtracted from my account? How does the money my account earns for me compare to other investments?

This is very basic and important information. You need to get up to speed on this. Don’t let life’s daily grind keep you from spending time with something that’s really important. No time you say? Make time. For example, some things you can farm out to others like fixing your car or remodelling your basement. If you have to, hire a plumber to replace that leaky faucet so you can free up a Saturday or two to learn about your 401k and IRA accounts. This could be life changing and result in decisions that involve large sums of money.

The first step is to gather up the statements that you’ve received either in the mail or electronically. You’ve saved them, right? No? Well the second step is to learn how to access your accounts on the web. Most likely copies of your statements are waiting there for you to print them out or otherwise save them. What’s the third step? Well let’s talk about that if anyone is interested!

Best Regards,

Tom

PS I can hear some of you saying “This doesn’t apply to me, I have a guy for this stuff. He or she stays on top of all these details and tells me what to do”. Well you should realize that the number one priority of every financial advisor is to earn a comfortable living off a slice of your money. They are masters at making it look like someone else pays them. But you pay them, and you pay them dearly. And truth be told, perhaps they’re worth every penny because they’re smart and honest and they can manage your money much better than you can. You can find advisors like that; many do exist, but good luck with that. So even if you have no interest in managing your money, learn all you can so you understand this very important aspect of your life.

2011-11-01T12:41:00.001-05:00

Greece, once the cradle of civilization, now a bankrupt socialist state? Is this where the United States is headed?

http://news.yahoo.com/greek-referendum-threatens-euro-zone-crisis-021206836.html

2011-10-31T08:01:00.003-05:00

Well I've decided to reactivate and repurpose this blog. I was using it as a photo album of the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National forest. I think I'm going to change directions and use it as a blog was meant to be used. I will spew all sorts of interesting things and most of the world will ignore it. But maybe a few of you will be interested and we'll have a nice chat about things from time to time. Hope to see you around!

Best,

Tom

Shedding Layers

2010-01-10T07:17:00.002-06:00

It's amazing how much heat you generate even when it's cold outside. We both had to shed a couple layers of clothing. Even the hats had to go eventually. But keep those layers handy, you'll need them when you take a break.

Old Pine Lake in Winter

2010-01-10T07:06:00.002-06:00

It was 20 below last night but it warmed up to about 10 degrees by noon. We donned our snowshoes and headed out on the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN to Old Pine Lake, a.k.a. No Name Lake. The low winter sun casts long shadows on the frozen waters of the lake. The snowshoeing was perfect, an unbroken trail of 12 inch powder.

More beavers

2009-11-05T06:33:00.008-06:00

The beaver always amazes me with his relentless work ethic and ability to impact his surroundings.

Transitions...

2009-11-05T06:18:00.004-06:00

Hiking last Sunday on the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest west of Longville, MN, the transition from trail to wetland shown here reminds me that the seasons are also undergoing a transition; from fall to winter and from hiking season to hunting season. It's time for hikers to get out of the woods for a few weeks and let the deer hunters in. Good luck and be safe!

Map of the NCT in the Chippewa National Forest

2009-10-30T05:48:00.004-05:00

This excellent map of the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest was published by the Forest Service but is now out of print. I am on a mission to get people out on this trail. If you'd like an 11 x 17, 2 sided color paper copy send me your postal address and I will mail it out to you.

Update from Tom Moberg

2009-10-28T15:36:00.002-05:00

Tom Moberg has some interesting information to share...quoting Tom below:

"Along with our friend Katie, my wife and I have started maintaining the 3 mile section between FR 2117 and the Soo Line Trail. northwest of Remer where you took several of these photos. Your "Water everywhere" photo shows what we are calling "Old Pine Lake", formerly and sadly called "NoName Lake" in a couple of trail guides. Although the lake isn't much, it has beautiful old red and white pines around it.. Mary and I camped at the campsite in your "Stay for the night" photo a couple of years ago when we hiked from the eastern dead-end of the trail to Highway 200 by Boy River. When there was an opportunity to adopt a trail section, the part including the campsite was the one we wanted. Last summer, Mary, Katie and I fixed up the campsite by putting in the fire ring, installing the wood box, fixing up the privy, clearing more tent pads, mowing, cutting brush, etc. It was an adventure getting everything to the camp site from the FR 2117 trail head. Katie built the wood box at home and hauled it in to the site on a big wagon. I used a wheelbarrow to haul the fire ring, a five gallon gas can, and a bunch of tools in to the site, while Mary drove a string mower.. Anyway, we're proud of that campsite, so I hope you have a chance to use it some day."

Thanks Tom!

Smokey Gold

2009-10-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

Every October the tamaracks show off their smokey gold colors.

Abandoned logging railroads

2009-10-26T10:50:00.004-05:00

The red and white pine of the Chippewa National Forest were first logged in the late 1800s, now known as the river era of logging. Logs were floated downriver to the sawmill. By the early 1900s these easily accessible pines were gone and railroads were built to haul logs out of the woods. This was a much more efficient and reliable method of transportation. Many miles of abandoned railroad grade lie hidden in the Chip, like the one shown here west of Longville, MN. It seems the wooden railroad ties were left in place here after the tracks were taken up. You can't really see them but you can feel the rippling under your feet as you walk.

Have I mentioned the tall pines?

2009-10-26T10:43:00.002-05:00

I could go on and on about how much I enjoy the mature red pine encountered while hiking the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest. Oh, wait maybe I have. Many of these stands of pine were planted by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the 1930s.

Beavers

2009-10-26T09:45:00.006-05:00

These toothy critters have a significant impact on the lands and waters where they live. The North Country Trail takes advantage of the earth and stick pathways created by beavers.

Woodtick Trail

2009-10-26T09:33:00.005-05:00

Scenes from the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest, off the Woodtick Trail near Longville, MN. I worked this scene for 30 minutes from several vantage points and zoom levels. No wonder it takes me all day to hike a few miles.

Blaze Orange

2009-10-26T08:59:00.005-05:00

Fall is the best time of year to hike. Temps are cooler, bugs are gone, colors are out...speaking of which...Here my lovely wife Jean models the latest in chic woods wear. The Chippewa National Forest hosts many hunters during the fall hunting season. When you're out on the North Country Trail during small game hunting season, be sure to wear some blaze orange so that you can be easily seen by others. I DO NOT recommend hiking at all during the firearms deer season in November.

Hazel Lake

2009-10-26T08:54:00.003-05:00

This is beautiful Hazel Lake in the Chippewa National Forest, on the North country Trail near Longville, MN. There is supposed to be a campsite around here somewhere but darned if I could find it!

Mossy rock

2009-10-26T08:52:00.002-05:00

I really liked the look of this rock.

Stay for the night

2009-10-26T08:47:00.003-05:00

Camping is permitted anywhere in the Chippewa National Forest. Rustic campsites are also available every so often along the North Country Trail. This campsite near Remer, MN has been lovingly tended and awaits your visit.

Water everywhere...

2009-10-26T08:40:00.002-05:00

"Daylight in the swamp!" This was the lumberjack's call to get out of bed and into the woods. The Chippewa National Forest is loaded with water everywhere, but ironically water access to the backpacker can be tricky because much of the water is hard to get at to due to soft marshy shorelines. This lovely scene is north of Remer, MN.

No sense of urgency

2009-10-26T08:28:00.003-05:00

This portly fellow seemed unconcerned with my presence. I suppose he knew if I got too close all he had to do was whack me up side the head with his tail and I would be in a world of hurt.

Subtle beauty at every turn

2009-10-26T08:23:00.004-05:00

I spotted this wonderful scene while driving to a North Country Trail parking area in the Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN. I just had to pull over to get the shot. The large red pines on the right remind me of exploding fireworks.

Bald Eagles

2009-10-26T08:18:00.003-05:00

There are a great number of Bald Eagles in the Chippewa National Forest.

Trail Abuse

2009-10-26T07:52:00.009-05:00

The North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest is attractive to ATV and dirt bike riders, even though it's posted for non motorized use only. I believe the key to preventing this abuse is for more hikers to get out on the trail and make our presence felt. Above, The nearly indestructible Carsonite posts that mark the North Country Trail are no match for a shotgun blast at close range.
Maybe one more boulder is needed to keep the macines off the trail at Milton Lake on the North Country Trail near Remer, MN.

Below, I stumbled onto 3 teens on dirt bikes who did this damage and politely asked them to stay off the hiking trail. Motorized recreation is a part of life today and I believe respectful engagement with the motorized crowd will go a long way towards keeping them off the trail.

Early Snow

2009-10-26T07:40:00.005-05:00

After a blazing hot September, October was cool and damp. Then it snowed. I once read that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. It's true. I journeyed back to the monster red pines near Remer, MN for another perspective. I just couldn't decide which picture I liked best so posted them all!

How it all got started

2009-10-26T07:34:00.002-05:00

Passing by an NCT trailhead and parking area years ago, I pulled in and saw a map like this one. This began a slow process that lead to my eventual adoption of a section of the trail for maintenance purposes.

Tall Pines

2009-10-26T07:27:00.002-05:00

Red pines reach for the sky on the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN

Monster Red Pine

2009-10-26T07:19:00.003-05:00

The Chippewa National Forest near Remer, MN is the home to a great many monster-sized red pine. The North Country Trail winds between them here and throughout the forest.

Willow River

2009-10-26T07:13:00.003-05:00

The well groomed NCT passes by the Willow River near Remer, MN. The Willow is a tributary to the upper Mississippi River and was instrumental in the movement of logs in the river-era logging days of the late 1800's.

Holy Water

2009-10-26T07:05:00.004-05:00

Holy Water lake is a couple of miles past the easterly dead end of the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest and beyond the forest boundary. It is well worth the trip for it's sandy beach, excellent campsites and wildlife. The lake was named by surveyors hired by a Catholic priest in the late 1800's who thought he owned land that was actually at the bottom of the lake.

The dead end section

2009-10-26T06:40:00.003-05:00

The NCT in the Chip dead ends at the eastern forest boundary, causing many to skip it. It's a beautiful piece of trail none the less and well worth the effort.

Wild Plums

2009-10-26T06:34:00.003-05:00

The trail opens up the forest floor, allowing plant life to thrive. These beautiful and sweet wild plums caught my attention as I passed.

Sailor Lake

2009-10-26T05:51:00.001-05:00

The NCT in the "Chip" is a beautiful trail that winds its way through the lakes and woods of northern Minnesota. Here we pass Sailor Lake on the far eastern edge of the forest.

The North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest

2009-10-26T05:23:00.000-05:00

Hiking and taking pictures. That about says it all. That's what I really enjoy doing. When I get to choose what I'm going to do on any given day it often involves one or the other or both. Taking pictures that I like is great fun but sharing my photography with others makes it real. I hope you enjoy these pictures taken late summer and fall 2009 on the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest of Minnesota.